LISTEN: Inverness Mental Health Centre To Close
NHS Highland is to withdraw ÂŁ150,000 funding for the Inverness support service.
An Inverness mental health centre will shut after NHS Highland withdrew funding.
Cairdeas Cottage, on the city's Bank Street, had been receiving ÂŁ150,000 from the health board.
But, after a spending review, it was announced this support would stop.
The decision was taken as a similar service already operates in the area.
In a statement, NHS Highland said it had "explored the feasibility of merging" services at Bruce Garden’s Day Centre and Cairdeas Cottage.
It described keeping both of them in operation as "unsustainable".
A spokesperson said: "A thorough review of attendance at both services highlighted that there was sufficient capacity to provide the drop-in service in one building, and expand the range of activities suggested by service users.
"NHS Highland believes that the plans for increasing the range of services offered will be of benefit to many more clients than are currently supported in the service.
"The move to seven day opening will also meet a long expressed desire for clients for support over the weekend."
The news has provoked calls from mental health charity HUG to save the service.
MFR Report Derek Ferguson speaks with HUG manager Graham Morgan about the news...
Manager Graham Morgan said "Cairdeas is a place where people can go for sanctuary, a hot meal and someone to talk to.
"Taking it away from the city centre is really sad.
"Bruce Gardens is someway out of town and in a building many of clients don't want to use.
"People with mental health problems often feel isolated, and they would just be lost."