Is mental health support actually reaching the people who need it?
Somerset is to trial a new scheme to look at the way support is delivered and whether things need to change
Last updated 11th Oct 2024
Somerset's to trial a new scheme seeing if mental health support is actually reaching those who need it
The £11 million trial, involving the University of Bath, has been announced on World Mental Health Day to 'develop new approaches in mental health tailored to region’s needs'.
In parts of the county young people are more likely - than the national average - to self harm and end up in hospital.
NHS England data published earlier this month shows that more than 1,950,000 people in the UK were in contact with mental health services in July 2024, a rise of over 100,000 compared to the year before.
Somerset is one of nine areas to receive a share of £27 million to explore the issues that most affect local people and better understand how to tackle them, in a bid to increase mental wellbeing.
The funding granted to the University of Bath will be used to establish one of the nation’s first Mental Health Research Groups (MHRG) that will work closely with communities to develop and undertake research to address local mental health needs.
Baroness Merron, Minister for Mental Health said: "Mental illness is one of the biggest challenges we face, but most research into these conditions hasn't reflected the breadth of experiences faced by different communities in different parts of the UK.
"There's no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to mental health, so it's really important that health leaders in Somerset and elsewhere have the evidence they need, based on research, to provide the most effective care."
Prathiba Chitsabesan, National Clinical Director for Children and Young People's Mental Health, at NHS England said: “Mental health problems are on the rise and the need for innovation in prevention and treatment has never been greater than now.
“Mental health research can contribute to saving lives, reducing distress and improving outcomes for our local communities. We must be collectively ambitious to achieve parity of esteem in mental health.”
The Bath MHRG will team up with experts and research leaders from the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter to deliver this research.
Director of the Bath MHRG, Dr Pamela Jacobsen said: “We’re focusing on prevention and early intervention because we know most mental health difficulties start in childhood and people often do not receive the help they need, at the time they need it. Our focus is on supporting key transitional periods in a young person’s life as they become young adults and experience important life events such as starting university, entering the workforce, leaving home, or forming new relationships. These are crucial times in their lives and by providing good mental health support can help people stay on the right trajectory and help them build healthier futures.”
Professor Deborah Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Bath added: “Improving health and wellbeing across the life course is a key priority for our research. Building on our strong foundations in Clinical Psychology, this funding enables us to build a more multidisciplinary approach to applied mental health research, at the forefront of developing effective interventions. We are delighted to be working closely with our many partners in the NHS, schools and charities, over the long term, to build skills and capacity of professionals in this area.”
Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has used today to call for greater support in rural communities after a survey revealed 95% of farmers under 40 agree poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry.
She said: “With winter fast approaching this year and the cost of living crisis in full effect, now more than ever, we need to make sure people in rural communities have proper access to mental health support.
“It’s going to be a tough year for everyone. We must make sure that proper attention is given to resourcing mental health services, charities and helplines, as often these are the last, life-saving hope for people really struggling.”
She has called on the government to ensure farmers get access to funding they’re entitled to (and quickly, as stress is the main factor affecting farmers’ mental health) as well as improve access to NHS mental health services in rural areas and support the continued roll-out of rural health hubs.