Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance launched to make sure residents get mental health support

MORE than 50 organisations across the city have joined forces to make sure people can get the mental health support they need.
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Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance launches today, which marks World Suicide Prevention Day, with the aim that any resident, no matter age, location, language or economic wellbeing, can access the services they need.

This ranges from Talking Change talking therapy service to CAMHs services for children and PositiveMinds, for support with substance misuse, employment and financial difficulties.

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The organisations involved include Portsmouth City Council, Solent Mind, the University of Portsmouth and Solent NHS Trust.

Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance and the contact card for people seeking mental health support.Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance and the contact card for people seeking mental health support.
Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance and the contact card for people seeking mental health support.

Jane Leech, health development manager at the city council, said: ‘The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is “Working Together to Prevent Suicide”. We know that suicide is preventable.

‘It is most often the case that a person doesn’t want to take their own life, they desperately want emotional pain to stop.

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‘If we can interrupt their negative thoughts by helping people to talk, we could save a life. So be brave, let’s start these conversations in the Portsmouth community.’

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The alliance will also working with education partners, charities and residents’ associations to ensure that people have the chance to have their say about the services.

A contact card with details of all the services residents can approach for help, has also been released today.

Gordon Muvuti, director of partnerships at Solent NHS Trust, added: ‘The Mental Health Alliance will be an incredibly powerful force in ensuring that we reach into our communities.

‘We know that Covid-19 has impacted the mental health of most people in society and the partners are determined to remove barriers to accessing help.

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‘I’d encourage anybody, living in Portsmouth, who is finding this time hard to make use of the services available, we continue to be here for you.’

Councillor Matthew Winnington, cabinet member for health for Portsmouth City Council will be overseeing the alliance.

For emergency access to mental health support, please call NHS 111.

For non-emergency appointments and advice, please call your GP surgery.

Call Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123.

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Call 111 or visit the NHS 111 website and speak to the NHS Mental Health Triage Service.

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