Haverhill Mental Health Action Group says it is here to help, as more people are recorded as having mental health problems
The number of people needing support for mental health issues has risen, says a Haverhill action group.
Ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow, Haverhill Mental Health Action Group is warning there is an urgent need for a long-term strategy to tackle what is described as the UK’s deepening mental health crisis.
In a recent report, the Centre for Mental Health Research, Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said cost-of-living stresses are pushing more people into crisis which has led to a 26per cent rise in mental health referrals in England since 2018 and in the last year alone an estimated 4.8million people asked for help with their mental health.
REACH Community Projects’ Community Organiser, Saffron Carter, who co-chairs the action group, says: “The report says the stresses that lead to people’s mental health deteriorating, this includes poverty, housing, and debt, with the cost-of-living crisis exacerbating the situation further.
“I spoke to a client in August who couldn’t turn their cooker on because of the worry about the cost.
“Haverhill Mental Health Action Group exists to help tackle this here, to build connections across the town and work in collaboration with statutory health organisations, to best meet the needs of our community.
“However, we need significant funding to deliver this and build on our work.”
Jodie Claydon, from Open Mind, said: “Open Mind are proud to be part of such an exciting and forward planning mental health action group.
“Working collaboratively with likeminded organisations gives us a much louder voice in ensuring Haverhill is heard. Together we can make a real difference and we are really looking forward to seeing all our plans become a reality.”
If you need support with mental health issues contact Open Mind on openmindinfo8@gmail.com, Little Hub of Hope on 07756 973 611 or Suffolk Mind on 0300 111 6000.