Portsmouth Mental Health Hub phoneline receives more than 2,000 calls

A phoneline set up as part of the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub has received more than 2,000 calls from the city’s residents in its first eight months.

The free phoneline has enabled Portsmouth residents aged 16 and over to have compassionate conversations with fully trained call handlers who have swiftly arranged appointments with services such as NHS Talking Therapies or offered support to connect with local organisations including HIVE Portsmouth, social support or substance misuse.

Since launching in April 2023, the Hub has helped a vast number of Portsmouth residents, 1,500 of whom who have been referred onwards for appropriate mental health support.

The Hub has been really embraced and valued - here are just two pieces of feedback from callers:

“Thank you for listening and getting me in to places for support rather than making me do it on my own, it's nice to know I can call someone and won't just be sent a link or a phone number.”

“I want to help my daughter so thank you so much for going through what's available for her so she can get some help, I really appreciate all the advice.”

Abi Clarkson, Head of Access at Solent NHS Trust - a Health and Care Portsmouth partner, said: “We are so pleased to have reached this first special milestone for the Hub. We have been really encouraged to see a steady month-on-month increase in calls received from people who know that when they speak with our call handlers, they will receive swift, meaningful and practical advice and support for their mental health.”

78% of callers have said they do not know where they would have gone without the phoneline, or alternatively they would have gone to their GP.

Data gathered since the Mental Health - Health & Care Portsmouth web area was developed, indicates that people are proactively seeking mental health information online as well as by phone. More than 2,500 people have also visited the Mental Health in Portsmouth webpages, with almost 5,000 views overall.

Plans are now being finalised to launch the latest part of the Hub – a dedicated website which, like the phoneline, will not only be accessible to those experiencing mental health matters but friends, relatives and colleagues who want to support someone close to them. The website is set to go live in January.

Anyone aged 16 and over can call the hub, which is open Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, on 0300 123 6621.