More help for mental health call
GUERNSEY MIND is hoping to see rapid change in the funding of mental health services in the next few years.
In the wake of Health & Social Care revealing that it expects to spend £8.7m. on mental health issues this year, the charity said that while traditionally the area had been underfunded, things are changing.
Executive director Emily Litten said it had worked with HSC during the last 18 months to create a mental health and wellbeing plan for the Bailiwick 'that reflects an innovative and community-based approach to the mental wellbeing of islanders'.
'We know that 21% of islanders have poor mental wellbeing from the 2010 Emotional Wellbeing Survey and that the estimated cost of poor mental health is £105.8m. locally,' she said.
But this is not just the cost of direct mental health services, but also the societal costs to business, of benefits, housing, poorer outcomes for physical health, children not reaching their full potential and older people not feeling able to fully contribute.
'Change requires a commitment from all of us – in business, States and community organisations – to work together to create gold-standard services for mental wellbeing in the island,' said Mrs Litten.
