Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust - First Response Service logo
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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust - First Response Service

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0 - 99 YrsAnxietyDepressionUrgent and Crisis Support

About this service

The First Response Service (FRS) is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service that ensures improved access to services for people, of all ages, experiencing a mental health crisis. FRS ensures that the right care is provided by the right person in the right place. FRS is made up of a range of mental health professionals with different skills and backgrounds. We work closely with other professionals, services and organisations to support the needs of those in a mental health crisis and provide a consistency of care.

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis. There will be different reasons and a crisis will look different for different people. You might feel overwhelmed by your emotions or so distressed that you want to harm yourself or someone else. You might hear unpleasant voices or feel that people are watching you or trying to hurt you, alternatively you may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Whatever your experience, please reach out and take the first step to getting help and support quickly. Please call FRS on 111 (choose mental health option).

What FRS will do:

  • Telephone triage – a health professional will ask questions to assess your current situation, exacerbating factors and the impact on your mental health.

  • Further assessment – if deemed necessary, and following a telephone triage, FRS clinicians may recommend and carry out a face-to-face assessment.

  • Referral to other services – following an assessment, FRS may refer service users to other mental health teams.

  • Signposting - where appropriate our tele coaches may suggest alternative community support from one of our approved mental health support partners.

The First Response Service (FRS) is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service that ensures improved access to services for people, of all ages, experiencing a mental health crisis. FRS ensures that the right care is provided by the right person in the right place. FRS is made up of a range of mental health professionals with different skills and backgrounds. We work closely with other professionals, services and organisations to support the needs of those in a mental health crisis and provide a consistency of care.

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis. There will be different reasons and a crisis will look different for different people. You might feel overwhelmed by your emotions or so distressed that you want to harm yourself or someone else. You might hear unpleasant voices or feel that people are watching you or trying to hurt you, alternatively you may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Whatever your experience, please reach out and take the first step to getting help and support quickly. Please call FRS on 111 (choose mental health option).

What FRS will do:

  • Telephone triage – a health professional will ask questions to assess your current situation, exacerbating factors and the impact on your mental health.

  • Further assessment – if deemed necessary, and following a telephone triage, FRS clinicians may recommend and carry out a face-to-face assessment.

  • Referral to other services – following an assessment, FRS may refer service users to other mental health teams.

  • Signposting - where appropriate our tele coaches may suggest alternative community support from one of our approved mental health support partners.

Service type

This service offers support by telephone.

This service is provided by the NHS.

Referral (how to access)

Referral Process to access this service: Self, Professional

Catchment restrictions

Cambridgeshire, Peterborough

Amenities & Accessibility

accessible website

Last updated 23/04/2025 10:40am

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