National Highways Expands Mental Health Support with New Roadside QR Code Initiative

Partnership with Chasing the Stigma will connect road users directly to life-saving local mental health services

National Highways has announced a significant expansion of its commitment to mental health and suicide prevention after partnering with leading charity Chasing the Stigma to install new roadside signs providing instant access to local support services.

The initiative will see specially designed signs featuring QR codes introduced at carefully selected locations across England's motorway and major A-road network. By scanning the codes with a smartphone, road users will be taken directly to the Hub of Hope – the UK's largest and most comprehensive directory of mental health support services.

The programme forms part of National Highways' wider strategy to reduce harm across the strategic road network while recognising that the organisation has an important role to play in supporting people experiencing mental health crises.

Bringing Support Closer to Those Who Need It

Every day, millions of people travel on England's strategic road network. While the vast majority complete their journeys safely, National Highways is increasingly recognising that its responsibility extends beyond managing traffic and maintaining infrastructure.

The new signs are designed to provide immediate access to trusted support for anyone struggling with their mental wellbeing, helping remove barriers that often prevent people from seeking help.

By linking directly to the Hub of Hope platform, users can quickly identify nearby charities, NHS services, crisis support organisations and community groups tailored to their location and individual needs.

Unlike traditional helpline signage, the digital approach enables support to be personalised, localised and continually updated, ensuring people are connected with the most appropriate services available.

A Partnership Built Around Prevention

The collaboration with Chasing the Stigma reflects a growing understanding that preventing suicide and supporting mental wellbeing requires organisations to work together rather than in isolation.

Nicola Tweedie, National Highways' Suicide Prevention Lead, said:

"This partnership is an important step forward for National Highways as we continue our work to reduce and prevent harm across our network. We know mental health is complex and not something we can tackle on our own."

Her comments underline the organisation's belief that infrastructure operators have an opportunity—and arguably a responsibility—to contribute to wider public wellbeing by making support more visible and accessible.

The initiative complements National Highways' ongoing work to identify vulnerable locations, improve staff training, strengthen partnerships with emergency services and develop interventions aimed at preventing harm before it occurs.

Technology Making Support Accessible

At the heart of the project is Hub of Hope, Chasing the Stigma's award-winning digital platform that has transformed how people access mental health support across the UK.

Rather than relying solely on national helplines, Hub of Hope provides users with a searchable map of local services, enabling them to find immediate assistance close to home.

The addition of QR codes at roadside locations means support can now be accessed within seconds using a mobile phone, creating a simple but potentially life-saving connection between someone in crisis and organisations able to help.

It also reflects the growing role that digital technology is playing in public safety, where infrastructure can be used not only to move people efficiently but also to support their health and wellbeing.

Building a Safer Road Network

The partnership represents another example of how National Highways is broadening its approach to safety.

Traditionally focused on engineering, maintenance and incident management, the organisation has increasingly recognised that creating a safer road network also involves addressing the human factors that affect those who use it.

From initiatives tackling driver fatigue and workforce mental health to investment in suicide prevention measures, the organisation is placing greater emphasis on protecting both physical and emotional wellbeing.

The new signage is expected to be installed initially at busy locations close to motorways and major A-roads, where visibility and accessibility will maximise the opportunity to reach those who may need support.

More Than Just Infrastructure

For Chasing the Stigma, the partnership represents another important milestone in its mission to ensure nobody faces mental health challenges alone.

By bringing support directly into public spaces, the charity hopes to normalise conversations around mental health while making it easier for people to seek help at the moment they need it most.

The initiative also sends a wider message that organisations responsible for critical national infrastructure can play a meaningful role in supporting public health.

As National Highways continues to develop the programme, the partnership demonstrates how relatively simple interventions—combining technology, collaboration and compassion—can create opportunities to save lives and ensure that help is never far away for those who need it.