Calls for better mental health support

Just one Gwent council funds a service to help people access mental health support while dealing with problems such as homelessness and substance misuse. 

Newport council has a specialist programme to address what are termed co-occurring issues putting people at increased risk such as misusing drug or alcohol while also being mentally unwell or issues such as homelessness. 

But Dr Liz Andrew, a consultant clinical psychologist for Gwent’s Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said the service is only funded in the city and hasn’t yet been expanded to other councils, though it is being considered in Caerphilly. 

She was speaking at a meeting of Monmouthshire County Council’s public services committee where staff from mental health charity Mind, which works across Gwent, outlined a number of barriers people in mental distress experience while trying to access support, including if they are using alcohol or other drugs.

In Newport the health board funds the COG service with the city council to support people who could be those using drugs and alcohol, those who are homeless or members of staff who may have “too much shame” to seek help otherwise, said Dr Anderew.

“Because of the way it is funded that only happens in Newport. It would be really good to reduce variation of that across the health board and Caerphilly are keen to work on that.” 

Statistics such as attendance at A&E, how people are signposted to other support, relapse and reconviction rates are used to evaluate its effectiveness. 

Dr Andrew said: “It evaluates really well to the point they (Newport) recurringly fund it, using the housing revenue support grant to continue the funding around the homelessness support project. 

“What we know is that if we reduce emergency evictions, and if we support people’s mental well-being and we reduce re-traumatisation that generally people are less likely to enter a suicidal crises. It looks at those sort of factors in the evaluation.” 

Frances Taylor, independent councillor for Magor West, suggested the committee write to Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member to consider a similar scheme.

She said it was likely most councillors would be aware of people who have been unable to access support due to substance missuse and said people will use such substances to manage discomfort.

“I certainly know of a signficant number of people struggling with their mental health who perhaps turn to substances, and then active addition, and there isn’t specific support available to them. It’s a significant concern for me.”