Mental health survey results 2022/23

In 2017, we carried out an extensive project around mental health. The report can be read at https://www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/report/2017-11-08/mental-health-r….

The Living Well project started not long after the report was published, and the Minds Matter service was later launched.

Our intention was always to repeat the survey at a later date, to compare what effect the new services would have on the feedback received about mental health care. COVID-19 unfortunately delayed this project. 

We launched the survey in May 2022, and it remained open until March 2023. The questions are the same as in 2017 (for direct comparison of responses), with a few additional questions based on the feedback received previously about the  format of the survey.

We know from last time that people experiencing mental health issues (whether diagnosed or not) may find it difficult to engage with a survey. We have provided the opportunity for as many people as possible to have a chance to take part, if they want to.

The feedback has shown that people who seek support for their mental health have a mixed experience. There are some comments which give cause for concern, highlighting areas where improvements could be made. These can be grouped into the following key messages:

1. Access to care - access to care can be difficult for people who do not use the internet, or who do not like to use the phone when they are feeling unwell. When English is not a person’s first language, that can be an added barrier.

2. Care - care is not always available when it is needed, especially in a crisis. There are long waiting lists for both diagnosis and treatment. Appointments are not always flexible for people who work or have family commitments. Services can be difficult to contact. 

3. Care provided - care that is provided is not always a positive experience. There can be frequent changes of staff, meaning stories have to be told again, which can be traumatic. Care may not be personalised, and reasonable adjustments are not always made when needed. People told us they can feel judged, and don’t feel they are being listened to. Understanding of the complexities of their overall health (physical and mental) are not always understood by staff. When staff leave, or retire, patients can be left to struggle whilst waiting for their care to be rearranged.

4. Carers - carers told us they do not always feel supported. They are not always given enough information to support their family member well, or told who they can talk to if they have questions. 

5. Communication - communication could be improved. Phone calls are not always returned, or messages passed on. People do not always know who they can contact if their mental health worsens. 

6. Discharge - discharge from a service can be too early for some people. They told us that a higher number of therapy sessions would have prevented their mental health from worsening, leading to a crisis after the sessions stopped. 

7. Information - being provided with good information and explanations helps people to learn how to cope for themselves and take control of their mental health. This does not always happen. This includes being kept informed about what is happening and how long they will have to wait to be seen, and the availability of community groups and other support.

8. Medication - medication works well for some people, but not for everyone. People told us they have been left taking medication which makes them feel worse, and are unable to get a medication review to look at alternative medication. Other people said they thought medication would help them, but it was not offered. 

9. Waiting lists - when people are on a waiting list, they told us this can result in additional mental health issues, and no-one checks to see whether their mental health has got better or worse. 

10. Working together - services do not always work together, whether this be teams within the same organisation, or different organisations who all provide care for a person. 

The information in this report tells us that there is not enough help available for the number of people requiring support. People do not always want to talk to their families or rely on them for support. Support needs to be provided before a person reaches crisis.

There are recommendations in this report. The points were to improve access to care and also improve communication.

There are follow up actions. The office intends to follow up on the recommendations in 6 months time.