North Yorkshire mental health services require improvement
Healthwatch North Yorkshire has released a report outlining people's views
A report has revealed that mental health services in North Yorkshire requires improvement.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire has released it outlining local people’s views of mental health services and support.
It says almost two thirds (61%) of respondents had experienced mental health or wellbeing issues in the past 12 months. However, fewer than half had looked for help for issues including anxiety, stress and depression.
It added that there were a variety of reasons for people not seeking support including long waiting lists for assessments and treatment, stigma associated with mental health issues meaning people wait until issues reach crisis point before asking for help and some poor staff attitudes to those seeking support.
Most of those who had looked for support (25%) had gone to their GP with others trying online information and talking to family and friends. The experience of support was mixed with some people finding their GP excellent and others feeling dismissed.
Support from voluntary sector organisations or charities was generally appreciated and found useful, but some people struggled to get the type of treatment they needed and turned to private providers where they could afford it.
Ashley Green, Chief Executive of Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said: “Our survey has shown a mixed picture of mental health and wellbeing services in North Yorkshire. It highlights a desperate need for better local specialist services, especially mental health support at a primary care level, that people can access quickly and without stigma or judgement.
“The long waiting lists for treatment and support are a significant worry as people’s mental health can deteriorate quickly, sometimes with dire consequences. Voluntary sector organisations are valiantly trying to plug the gaps, but often these organisations are reeling under overwhelming demand and trying to support people with more complex needs than their services were set up to help.”
The survey also asked people what helped their mental health and what made it worse. The answers often mirrored each other with positive support from friends and family juxtaposed with isolation and a lack of support. Exercise and being outdoors worked for those who could access them but when the weather is bad or where a person’s mobility is poor, these were inaccessible. Similarly, a good work environment or positive attitude worked well, but work stress and negativity detrimentally affected people’s wellbeing.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire will be sharing the report’s findings with North Yorkshire’s mental health providers and key health organisations.
To see a copy of the full report, click here.