Legal News
NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG launches mental health support service for 11- to 18-year-olds (20 October 2015)
Date: 20/10/2015
NHS Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a new service providing emotional and wellbeing support for young people across West Sussex.The Youth Emotional Support (YES) service is aimed at young people aged 11 to18 years – and will provide support for issues relating to anxiety, feelings of isolation and mild depression, among a range of other concerns.The service will be delivered through current FindItOut centres before being rolled out across the county.The service will work with young people directly and help them to access face- to-face counselling and family support, as well as creating targeted youth group programmes to help build self-esteem and deal with anxiety and anger.Patients can be referred to the centres by their GP – or alternatively can simply walk in or book an appointment.Local West Sussex GP – and clinical lead for children and young people at NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG – Dr Tim Fooks, said: “We are delighted that we are launching the new Youth Emotional Support for young people in Coastal West Sussex.“As GPs, we are seeing increasing numbers of young people with mental health concerns – and it is vital that we have appropriate help and support available, both for them and their families.”Fellow GP and clinical lead for mental health at NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG, Dr Sue Torry, added:“Young people will be able to walk into these centres and get advice and information to help them to manage difficulties they may face – and be supported to live happy and healthy lives.”West Sussex Cabinet Member for Children – Start of Life, Peter Evans, added: “Mental health is an issue that is brushed aside too easily.“This new service will be of enormous benefit to the young people of West Sussex – and help them throughout their lives.”The support service will be delivered through current FindItOut centres in Chichester, Crawley, Horsham and Worthing – with expansion to Burgess Hill, Lancing, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis by March 2016.More information about the Youth Emotional Support (YES) service is available at emotionalwellbeing.yps@westsussex.gov.uk.The government has announced that a further £143 million will be spent on improving children's mental health services in England this year.Duncan Lewis Mental Health SolicitorsDuncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.