Thousands of patients in Northamptonshire have been supported with their mental health through messaging chat service ChatHealth.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust launched ChatHealth in April 2024.

ChatHealth is an NHS owned and developed innovation, that has been scaled nationally and adopted by over 80 NHS and healthcare providers across the UK.

ChatHealth provides confidential mental health help and wellbeing advice through secure phone messages. Patients can speak to a qualified healthcare professional anonymously and at a time that suits them.

From April – December 2024, over 7000 messages were received, over 6000 messages were sent, and over 500 conversations were opened through the service in Northamptonshire.

Once a patient has sent the first message, ChatHealth confirms the receipt of the message immediately. After that the patient will speak to a healthcare professional who will listen, ask questions and provide support.

Patients only have to share what they feel comfortable with and can ask any questions.

Anna Williamson, Lead Practitioner at the Northamptonshire Integrated Response Hub said: “We have helped many patients since ChatHealth was launched and they use the service regularly for emotional support.

“We have built positive therapeutic relationships with our patients, which has helped situations to not reach crisis. ChatHealth also reduces patients contacting other support systems regularly.

“ChatHealth is also a great to support to people with autism, who often have difficulty speaking on the telephone. Our Emotional Support workers help them to access further support to assist with their mental health crisis recovery.”

A service user of ChatHealth said: “I have spoken to the same Emotional Support worker twice now and she was reassuring and helpful with her advice. Thank you for your service.”

Giles Tinsley, Programme Director for Mental Health at NHS England in the Midlands, said: “It is natural for all of us to feel worried, anxious or struggle with our mental health at some points during our lives. ChatHealth is a great service to support the mental health and wellbeing of the people in Northamptonshire.”

The ChatHealth team reply during normal office hours (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday). If a patient messages out of hours the team will reply when they are next in.

Patients should always hear back from someone within 24 working hours at the most. All conversations are confidential, but if a healthcare professional is concerned about any harm or danger, they may involve other services to keep patients safe.

All conversations are shared on electronic records for confidentiality, and so patients don’t have to repeat themselves when speaking to different staff members.

A full list of mental health support  is available through the NHS website. There are also tailored services available via the NHS 111 website. Free listening services are provided by charities such as The Samaritans or Shout Crisis text line.