Posts Tagged ‘depression’
New online support service launched across North Yorkshire and beyond to help men with their mental health
A free online mental health and emotional wellbeing support service has been launched to help men living in North Yorkshire and across the Humber, Coast and Vale area. Men aged 18+ can now register to use Qwell for Men – a free, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service which can be accessed anywhere using…
Read MoreWork continues to improve mental health services for new and expectant mums
Published on Mar 7, 2019
Mental health services for new and expectant mums in Scarborough and Ryedale and other parts of the Humber and Yorkshire region are continuing to be developed courtesy of NHS funding worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Having secured a share of a £23 million nationwide investment announced by NHS England in 2018, the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership – a collaboration of 28 health and social care organisations – is working to deliver specialist community perinatal mental health services in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Scarborough and Ryedale, and the Vale of York.
The funding is part of a £365 million plan by NHS England to ensure 30,000 more women in all areas of England can access specialist perinatal services by 2021.
Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or during the first year following the birth of a child. Perinatal mental illness affects one in five (20%) women, and covers a wide range of conditions. If left untreated, it can have significant and long lasting effects on the woman and her family.
Examples of perinatal mental health conditions include:
Moderate to severe postnatal depression
Anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder
Eating disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Severe mental illnesses including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar affective disorder
Postpartum psychosis
Severe self-harm
Suicidal thoughts
Late last year, pre-existing perinatal services began to be developed further, while new ones were created to ensure women in all parts of the Humber, Coast and Vale area who experience complex mental health needs have access to treatments and support as early as possible. Providing support for families and signposting to relevant services has also been part of the service improvements.
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has strengthened its already established specialist community perinatal mental health services in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The Trust is also working with NAViGO and Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust to introduce a new service in North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is also introducing new specialist community perinatal mental health services across the Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale.
Michele Moran, Chair of the Humber, Coast and Vale Mental Health Partnership Board and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, said: “So many new and expectant mothers experience mental health problems and we’re proud to work with our partners to extend the perinatal service into underserved areas and hopefully help hundreds of women and their families.”
Michelle Thompson, Perinatal Mental Health Lead for the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership and Assistant Director for Women’s and Children’s Services for North East Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Having a baby is a major life event for mums and dads, and it’s natural to experience a whole range of emotions and reactions during and after pregnancy.
“But if these problems start to have a big impact on day to day life, it might be a sign of a mental health problem and this service will provide some much needed specialist support for local families who are experiencing difficulties during or after the birth of their child.”
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about might be experiencing perinatal mental health problems you can speak to health professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, midwife or health visitor, who will be able to offer support and refer you to an appropriate service.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
For Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire patients: https://www.humber.nhs.uk/services/perinatal-mental-health.htm
For Vale of York and Scarborough and Ryedale patients: https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/north-yorkshire-and-york-perinatal-mental-health-service/
Read MoreNew website to help people in Scarborough and Ryedale self-refer for mental health therapies
Published on Feb 6, 2019
North Yorkshire improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) service, which offers talking therapies treatments, has launched a new website to make it easier for people to access help and support.
This includes an option to self-refer online without having to go through a GP.
The Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) service helps people who are experiencing common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
The new website provides a wealth of information about the support and services available, as well as an option for anyone registered with a GP in North Yorkshire to self-refer online, with a series of questions designed to help determine if the service is suitable.
One in four people are thought to experience mental ill health at some point in their lives. Problems with low mood and anxiety can develop and make it difficult to cope with life’s daily demands. Significant events like unemployment, relationship breakdown, traumatic events or even stress at work can sometimes lead to difficulties which require help and support.
IAPT is a national NHS programme to increase the availability of talking therapy treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to treat anxiety and depression. It aims to use the least intrusive method of care possible to treat and support people, such as guided self-help over the phone or face-to-face, psycho educational courses or computerised / face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy.
Andy Wright, TEWV IAPT service manager, said: “The new IAPT website will allow people to easily find out more about the service, the support available and treatment options, as well as providing access to a range of convenient and simple online self-help resources for those receiving support through the service.
“It will also allow people to self-refer directly, through a quick online form, which will take people through a series of helpful questions to determine whether the service is right for them. If the service is deemed suitable they would then be offered an initial assessment over the phone, after which they will be directed to the most appropriate treatment option for their needs.”
People can also make an appointment with their GP, who will be able to discuss options and if appropriate make a referral to IAPT or a suitable alternative.
Speaking on behalf of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, mental health lead, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “The effects of depression and anxiety can be debilitating and brutal. However, we are now living in a society where there is much less stigma attached to mental health difficulties and people feel more able to talk about how they are feeling.”
Dr Billingsley, who’s a Scarborough GP and Associate Chair of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, added: “The new North Yorkshire IAPT website is a brilliant tool; it’s very easy to use and crucially, it’s straightforward for patients to refer themselves to the IAPT service, if they wish, without having to go through a GP first.”
The site can be accessed at www.northyorkshireiapt.co.uk
The IAPT service is not a crisis or urgent response service for people who are severely unwell. You should always dial 999 in a medical emergency or call NHS 111 for any urgent concerns. You can also find details about what to do in a mental health crisis on the TEWV website by visiting www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/crisisadvice/.
Read More#TalkSuicide campaign encourages people in Scarborough and Ryedale to complete short online suicide prevention training
Published on Jan 31, 2019
The Humber, Coast and Vale Mental Health Partnership has launched the #TalkSuicide campaign to encourage the people of Scarborough and Ryedale to complete a free 20-minute online suicide prevention training programme.
The #TalkSuicide campaign urges pepole in Scarborough and Ryedale to visit www.talksuicide.co.uk to complete the video-based training so they can learn life-saving skills and improve the support network for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The Zero Suicide Alliance – a group of NHS Trusts, businesses and individuals committed to suicide prevention – has created the training to help people spot signs in people experiencing suicidal thoughts, and equip them with the information and skills to help them help these people.
There were 5,821 registered suicides in the UK in 2017 – more than one death every two hours – with the Yorkshire and Humber region having some of the highest suicide rates in England.
Mental health issues and financial problems are some of the biggest contributing factors to suicide.
National statistics show that suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50. Men accounted for three quarters of suicides registered in 2017, while those aged between 45-49 are considered to be most at risk.
Anyone can undertake the training, which only takes 20 minutes to complete, at www.talksuicide.co.uk
Completing the training will help you to:
Spot signs in people experiencing suicidal thoughts
Feel comfortable speaking about suicide in a supportive manner
Signpost individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts to the correct services or support
Visit www.talksuicide.co.uk to complete the video-based suicide prevention training and learn more about the #TalkSuicide campaign.
Michele Moran, Chair of the Humber, Coast and Vale Mental Health Partnership Board and Chief Executive at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Each death by suicide is a terrible loss and a tragedy for everybody involved. By taking just 20 minutes to complete the online training, you could help save someone from taking their own life.
“The training will help you to be better in identifying suicidal thoughts and behaviour and give you the information to direct them to the most appropriate support services.”
Jo Kent, Humber, Coast and Vale Suicide Prevention Lead said: “The #TalkSuicide and Zero Suicide Alliance websites have plenty of material to help businesses and organisations incorporate this training into their workplace. We’re calling on individuals and businesses alike to encourage their friends, family, colleagues or employees to complete the online training – because knowing what to do and say in the right situation really can help to save a life.”
If you need urgent help, or if you’re worried about the mental or emotional state of yourself or someone you know, help is available from the following services:
Samaritans offer a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week support service. Call them FREE on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – for men call 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight every day
PAPYRUS (support for young people) – Freephone 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Read MoreMusical backed by NHS and mental health charities comes to Stephen Joseph Theatre
Published on Jan 3, 2019
An award-winning comedy musical that throws glitter at depression backed by NHS and mental health charities Mind and Mental Health Foundation is coming to Scarborough.
Silent Uproar is bringing A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) to Stephen Joseph Theatre on 5 – 6 February, after impressing crowds and critics alike at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
In addition to the cast and crew being able to talk to people affected by any of the issues in the show, the company is also arranging for mental healthcare volunteers to be on hand after performances to signpost them to help available.
Scarborough GP and Clinical Lead for Mental Health, Dr Peter Billingsley, said: “One in four people in the UK experience depression and yet millions of people still don’t talk about their condition as they think it will affect their jobs or relationships.
“The show could be an incredibly powerful way of showcasing mental health and how it can affect people as well as breaking down any stereotypes and educating people who still don’t fully understand depression or even believe it’s a thing.”
The show was shortlisted for the Mental Health Foundation’s first ever Mental Health Fringe Award at Edinburgh Fringe last year and is influenced by the company’s personal experiences, it has also been informed by people living with mental health problems and medical professionals.
Silent Uproar is a Hull-based new writing company, commissioning writers to create playful and provocative work to help make the world a little less grim.
Tickets for Scarborough start from £10 and are available on the Stephen Joseph Theatre website.
For more information, go to www.silentuproarproductions.co.uk.
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