NHS 111 has joined Scotland and Wales in offering mental health advice and practical help alongside the ‘physical’ advice and help available previously.

This is obviously a step in the right direction as the NHS is not able to cope with the prompt provision of mental health services. The charity MIND estimates that about two million people are on NHS mental health services waiting lists.

The service is also able to offer advice and practical help for children.

111, mental health option, will now put people in touch with trained call handlers, mental health nurses and clinicians, at any time of day or night, and there is a talking-therapy service too which is available through nhs.uk.