ISLE of Wight residents will be able to access specialist mental health support by calling 111.

The NHS 24/7 mental health triage service can be accessed through 111, allowing young people and adults who experience mental health problems to have direct access to expert advice, assessment and support.

The service enables people who call NHS 111 while experiencing mental health concerns to be transferred to the service.

They will be able to support people by telephone consultations and offering self-help guidance, access electronic patient records, refer people to community mental health teams, enable people to be supported at home, and help de-escalate people in mental health crisis.

Lesley Stevens, director of mental health and learning disabilities, said: "We are very pleased to extend this service to people on the Island.

"Having mental health professionals involved at such an early stage of a 111 or 999 call will improve access to our services.

"People can call 111, be assessed and receive the best care that suits their needs. The service will also be able to arrange an appointment with the caller's local GP or community mental health team and respond to anyone in an urgent crisis.”

Victoria White, head of ambulance said: "The Island NHS 111 service currently receives approximately 40 mental health calls per month so we aim to not only improve the experience for people with mental health concerns but enable patients to access the most appropriate help in a clinically safe timeframe which may not always be an ambulance or a hospital admission."

If anyone is experiencing a mental health crisis and is in need of urgent care or support, dial 111 and speak to a mental health nurse/practitioner.

Those currently using mental health services, are recommended to contact their community mental health team or out of hours service first.