University of York in trailblazing mental health initiative
Posted on 11 February 2008
The University is part of a pioneering initiative in the Stoke on Trent area to open up access to the most modern treatments. The project will be launched in April to support people with anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorders and other common mental health problems.
This investment heralds an exciting new era in which the statutory and voluntary sectors combine their skills and experience to bring major improvements to the lives of thousands of people
Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive, Rethink
The Healthy Minds Network (HMN) involves a partnership between the University’s Department of Health Sciences, the mental health charity Rethink, and the Stoke on Trent Primary Care Trust (PCT). It will work with GPs to offer a range of services, including psychological therapies, to help people tackle housing, money, employment, relationship and physical health issues.
The model for Healthy Minds Network has already received national recognition. The PCT has been awarded Pathfinder status for this approach to the Department of Health’s drive to increase the availability of psychological therapies.
Rethink and the University of York will provide the core services of the Healthy Minds Network, following a national call for providers.
Rethink will establish three local bases. Every person referred by their GP to the Healthy Minds Network will be contacted within 48 hours. Experienced primary care mental health workers will work with individuals to decide on the best treatment and support for them.
University of York Professor of Mental Health David Richards said: "People with mental health problems living in Stoke have demanded better access to a much wider range of treatment options to help them recover. I am delighted that Rethink and the University of York will be working with the people of Stoke and the PCT to make this wish a reality."
PCT Chief Executive Graham Urwin said: "This scheme will directly address an area of health that has never received such significant investment. Figures show that one in four people have mental health problems at some point in their lives and 90 per cent of those are termed as mild to moderate conditions."
Rethink Chief Executive Paul Jenkins said: "This investment heralds an exciting new era in which the statutory and voluntary sectors combine their skills and experience to bring major improvements to the lives of thousands of people."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Tenders were invited to provide the core service of the HMN through national advertising and the PCT’s Trust Board approved the appointment of Rethink at their meeting on January 29 2008.
- The contract represents £2.25m of investment over the first three years. Rethink is the largest mental health charity in England, providing a wide range of services across the country.
- Rethink will be working in partnership with the University of York, which has extensive clinical knowledge of working in areas of common mental health problems, psychological approaches and primary care.
- Rethink and the University of York have been involved in national research and developing of models of care for mental health services in primary care, including psychology based services, often referred to as ‘talking’ therapies.
- For more information on the University of York’s Mental Health research Group, visit: www.york.ac.uk/res/mhrg
- For more information on Stoke PCT, visit: www.stokepct.nhs.uk
- For more information on Rethink, visit: www.rethink.org