In last summer’s edition of Together we told you how NHS Direct had been commissioned by the Department of Health to supply a phone helpline providing practical and emotional support for people who are worried about debt, housing and employment problems.
The service, called NHS Stressline, was officially launched on 30 December 2009 by Phil Hope MP, Care Services Minister. NHS Stressline callers receive practical information and advice from trained NHS Direct health advisors. If they are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, they will be directed to a wider package of financial and mental health support. The Stressline number is 0300 123 2000 and it is open daily from 8am-10pm.
Phil Hope said, “The NHS Stressline is there to help improve people’s mental and financial wellbeing. Whether it’s practical advice, emotional support or the first step in getting treatment for depression, it will give people real help to tackle their money worries.”
The helpline, which has been successfully piloted since July 2009, has already helped 1,000 people. Over 150 people have been advised to access health services and over 50% of callers have been signposted to information services for debt management, employment or housing.
Jacqui Jedrzejewski, NHS Direct Mental Health Lead, said, “We know the credit crunch hits people in many different ways, and job insecurity, redundancy, debt and money problems can all cause feelings of distress and helplessness. Throughout this pilot stage we’ve seen some very poignant examples of how the NHS Stressline has already helped people.”
Gerald King from Surrey called NHS Stressline back in August 2009. “I rang the NHS Stressline after having gone into work one morning only to be told that the company I worked for had gone into administration. Even my work van keys were taken off me and I had to make my own way home to break the news to my wife and child. I felt sick and couldn’t sleep for worrying about how I was going to pay the mortgage or where to go for help. A family member told me about the Stressline and I am so glad that I called.
“The sympathetic advisor listened to my worries and gave me advice on what to do and where to go for help as well as how to manage my sleeping difficulties. Thankfully I have been able to find another job since then, but the help the Stressline gave me was invaluable at the time. Until something like this happens to you, you just don’t know what to do or where to go for help.”
The NHS Stressline is linked to the Government’s Talking Therapies programme and will be the focus of a new public awareness campaign later this year.
