What makes a good mental health service?

[Terry SkyrmeParticipant]

Our campaign has been excellent in exposing the impact of financial cuts on mental health services in Norfolk and Suffolk, but it would be good to get everyone’s views on what would be a good service in such a huge geographical area like Norfolk and Suffolk. When I worked in Hammersmith, London, we had a walk-in emergency psychiatric clinic staffed by a social worker, community mental health nurse and a psychiatrist, plus admin and security support. There were no bureaucratic barriers to referrals and patients, relatives, whether known to the service or not, could walk in off the street and be seen. Despite a large population living close by we were not submerged by numbers. Early access to help is surely crucial and saves money in the long run; in my view abolishing the link-worker service was one of the worst decisions made by the Trust. Above all I think that when someone asks for help from the mental health service they should be received with warmth and empathy, not a stressed and demoralised workforce;in tne words of Karl Marx we should be ” the heart in a heartless world “

[David WalterParticipant]

Could not agree more. I am sure if this had been available I would not have finished up being admitted to hospital last year.

[eve mcgovernParticipant]

a good mental health service is one where people can approach it and get the help straightaway or at the very least an assessment to begin the process.It is already filled with very harding people who have always been caring when weve come for help.My husband is bipolar with many other mental health illnesses and we have used the services several years now.because of cuts etc from management and not down to the nurses etc.we lost out on some help and for a period my hubby had to rely on me so we need a system where theres constant support and decent at that available 24 hrs.The crisis team isnt always the easiest or most helpful when my hubby is in full throes of high nood or low mood etc.So overall i would welcome a service that is available by just walking in or by refering and where you get the respect you deserve,,a service that is warm and friendly so people can approach them when they most are needy without feeling they are a nuisance,,,,,,lets hope for this thank u