New plan for tackling mental health problems

The NHS in South-west London has launched a new Mental Health Strategy setting out the ways it will improve and support the mental health of everyone who lives, works or studies in Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth over the next five years.

The strategy will be delivered by the NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB), together with the two local mental health NHS trusts, South West London and St George’s and South London and Maudsley.

It aims to make South-west London the best place to live for emotional well-being, with everyone having access to high quality, accessible well-being and mental health services.

Demand for mental health services has increased in recent years. Nationally, there has been a rise in the percentage of children identified as having a probable mental health disorder, from 11.6% in 2017 to 17.4% in 2021 – with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) the fastest growing speciality.

This demand is being felt in South-west London, with a higher proportion of under-18s accessing community mental health services compared to anywhere else in the capital.

In the first year of the strategy, the focus will be on children and young people and embedding transformation of community services for adults with serious mental illness.

Sarah Blow, chief executive officer of NHS South West London ICB, said: “We know there is a real need to support people at an early stage before mental health problems escalate.

“Equally, we know that the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis are among the many things having an impact on well-being.

“This strategy will help us to focus on supporting those at risk of developing a mental health condition, both now and in the coming months and years.”

The strategy’s key aims include preventing mental illness, providing early support for recovery and providing better support for children and young people, and those that support them to manage their mental health and emotional well-being in the future.

(Picture: Pixabay)