Guernsey Press

Mental health matters are an issue for us all

EVERY day five people in Guernsey are referred for mental health care.

Published

Startling figures revealed in the States this week by Health & Social Care Committee president Al Brouard showed that on average, there are 150 referrals a month across its six main mental health service areas.

Health is an area where demand continually outstrips resources available but these figures are clearly of concern, in an area which can debilitate individuals from all walks of life.

Yet inquiries from the Guernsey Press this week revealed that the HSC figures are actually falling – down from 175 referrals a month two years ago. Meanwhile, the slack is being taken up by the mental health charity Mind, which has seen its referrals climb from one to three a day, on average.

As the States talks about outsourcing services or providing services more efficiently through third parties, Mind reports that its running costs have climbed by 50% over the past two years, with the charity now costing £600,000 a year to run.

Its cases are becoming more complex, and with no official pathway to refer service users into States secondary care, it has also extended its services.

‘There are some people coming in who probably shouldn’t be seen outside of the States-funded area,’ said Mind executive director Emily Litten.

HSC consultant psychiatrist Dr Dominic Bishop runs a team of 255 mental health professionals across different disciplines, currently working with some 1,850 service users.

Mental health awareness and openness has grown exponentially in recent years, but we retain a feeling that there is never enough to go around.

‘We try to continuously review and improve what we deliver, but we know that we don’t always get everything right. In fact, a brief look on various social media accounts in the Bailiwick might give the impression that we never get things right,’ said Dr Bishop earlier this year.

This week has confirmed that the island’s mental health challenge is probably more significant than ever. We all have a responsibility to try to contribute and support that. Improving someone’s day may ultimately help to save their life.