THE Island's failing mental health services mean people struggling with suicidal feelings do not always receive the help they need.

Faced with increasing demand for services and financial pressures, the mental health services provided by the IW NHS Trust have been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission watchdog.

However, specialist community services for children and young people have been rated 'good' and trust bosses say the overall situation is improving.

Director of mental health and learning disabilities, Lesley Stevens, said a new mental health wellbeing service was being established on the Island in a bid to 'dramatically' improve services.

She said: “We have identified where the gaps are. The service will help people make contact with all the organisations on the Island.”

Through the service, people will be encouraged to attend groups and learn to take care of their own mental health.

"It will take the pressure of our community services so they have the resources to deal with people in crisis,” said Lesely.

However, IW councillor Michael Lilley said more needed to be done by the council to coordinate services.

He said: “If you focus on improving the mental wellbeing of residents, you take out nearly half of patients in the NHS who are regularly going to their GP surgeries.

“If you get services right, it will have a huge knock on effect.

“Nearly 50 per cent of the medical bill for medicine on the NHS is for anti-depressants.”

Cllr Lilley led a suicide prevention taskforce last year, and will bring the issue back before the council again next month.

He said: “It is the council’s responsibility to sort this.”

When asked what the council was doing to tackle suicide, a public health spokesperson said: “The council chairs a multi-agency suicide prevention partnership board that oversees a comprehensive suicide prevention plan, in line with national guidance.

“The plan focuses on preventing suicide in those people at higher risk — based on local data from a suicide audit undertaken in partnership with the coroner’s office.

“It includes improving knowledge and understanding of suicide risk and at risk groups, delivering skills to deal with someone who is at risk of suicide and providing better support."

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The following organisations offer free and confidential support over the phone:

Samaritans —116 123 24 hour support, every day of the year www.samaritans.org

Papyrus — 0800 068 41 41 Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 10pm or Text 0778 620 9697 – prevention of young suicide www.papyrus-uk.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) — 0800 58 58 58, 5pm – midnight. Dedicated to preventing male suicide www.thecalmzone.net

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