Agenda item

This report outlines the support options available to people in York who are experiencing a mental health crisis. It was requested following member queries about a reduction of the hours of operation of the Mental Health Support line, run by City of York Council.

Jackie Harrison addressed the committee regarding her concerns regarding crisis support services in York. Ms Harrison noted that, should she have need of a service outside the hours of the Mental Health Support Line, there would be nowhere adequate for her to go, in which she could speak to people that know and understand her, or receive the help she needs. Ms Harrison noted that accident and Emergency and her GP are not sufficient and do not provide the support that would be required in a moment of crisis.

June Tranmer then addressed the committee acknowledging that there are over 50 agencies in York providing support to people experiencing mental health issues, however with one in four people in York saying that they are experiencing mental health problems, the need is far greater than the services can provide. Ms Tranmer also noted the on-going strain on University counselling staff. Finally, Ms Tranmer spoke of the need for all the information needing to be in the report, particularly around the data on the need for in-patient mental health beds, that the speaker said is available through various organisations.

Cllr Craghill explained to the committee that she had concerns regarding the lack of a 24 hour crisis support line and explained that the services listed in the report do not provide this service. Cllr Craghill wished to know whether the change in service provided by the TEWV support line intended to fill the gap in provision for 24 hour phone support left by the Mental Health Support Line. Finally, Cllr Craghill asked the committee to set up a task group to look in more depth at the provision of crisis support services in York and the reduction in hours of the Mental Health Support Line.

Officers were present to answer Member questions on the issue of crisis support services in York.

In response to member questions, Officers stated that it was not a choice between trying to integrate services and provide the mental health support line. The Mental Health Support Line was not intended as a Crisis support line, and each of the users of that service has been contacted to discuss how the preventative support they were offered by that service can be provided.

Officers clarified that in paragraph 3, it should reflect that one in four people experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Officers also stated that they would report back to the committee with the details of the how the NHS Digital Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey was constructed so that the statistics can be viewed in context.

Officers spoke of the community mental health model which will reflect new national guidance on how community mental health teams should be formed. Officers stated there would be an event on 8 April that will bring that model to life.

Officers also mentioned in regard to the previous report that came to the committee on the Mental health Support Line, stating that the support line does have a purpose, particularly in a preventative nature of helping to support people with their coping strategies and to help prevent the need for crisis support.

The Chair noted the request from Cllr Craghill regarding the need for a task group and suggested that this is something that the future Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee continue to look at in the new municipal year.