Community mental health needs
Download (PDF 391.76 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees engaged with local people through face-to-face focus group meetings and online surveys to ascertain local views and experiences of mental health, and how this has impacted on people’s lives and their health and wellbeing.
The overall findings of this engagement, based on what people told them, shows that:
- There is a strong link between the mental and physical health of those with long term health conditions and/or a disability.
- Not feeling able to manage physical health conditions, and not being able to access services when needed, has had a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of those with long-term health conditions and/or a disability.
- Community support groups are important to health, wellbeing, and more crucially the safety and welfare of those who attend.
- Those who attend the support groups would value extra health and wellbeing support along with support that can contribute to group resources, security, development, and sustainability.
- It is imperative that people have access to additional communication and learning support, signposting, information, advice, guidance, and advocacy to support their mental health and wellbeing.
- People with long-term health conditions and/or a disability would benefit from a holistic approach to health and social care support to enable them to manage their physical and mental health conditions together.
- To make informed decisions about their mental health, people value good communication with health care professionals and the teams involved in their care.
Based on the findings, Healthwatch have listed ten recommendations for local councils, primary care networks and NHS trusts.