Mental Health Minister pledges £3million ‘helping hand’ to most vulnerable in the pandemic
Y Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl yn addo £3 miliwn i ‘roi help llaw’ i’r bobl fwyaf agored i niwed yn ystod y pandemig
Additional funding of nearly £3million will support some of the most vulnerable mental health service users in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Eluned Morgan has vowed to provide a ‘helping hand’ to those looking for work, permanent accommodation, who may be struggling with mental health or substance misuse problems in the midst of this pandemic.
The additional funding will provide early, targeted support, for the most vulnerable individuals in a preventative capacity to reduce the escalation of often complex needs.
The funding is split into seven distinct areas and will see the Welsh Government work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities, the police and Area Planning Boards, as well as supporting health boards to provide voluntary sector led mental health support in their areas.
Funding includes:
- £1.4million towards third sector led schemes designed to address low level mental health and wellbeing need
- £75,000 will fund the ‘I Can Work’ programme supporting people with mild to moderate mental health problems into paid work
- £25,000 to support development for the substance misuse workforce to ensure they are adequately skilled and supported to provide essential services
- £750,000 to provide residential rehabilitation accommodation for those with complex needs to successfully transition to living independently in permanent accommodation.
- £500,000 to provide PPE to substance misuse services providing a range of support for some of the most vulnerable people in society.
- £150,000 Digital Inclusion Fund for the enhancement of digital services for service users who are currently excluded.
- £50,000 to support work with police forces across Wales piloting nasal naloxone kits as part of the drive to reduce drug related deaths.
Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language Eluned Morgan said:
“We know that early intervention is vital for better outcomes. We’ve seen the devastating effect this pandemic has had on the most vulnerable members of our society and we must provide an extra helping hand when they need it.
“This funding is a key part of our recovery plan, where we have committed to protecting and improving individuals’ well-being, supporting the homeless, and reducing unemployment to give people the best chance in life.
“These are tough times for us all to live through, but if we look out for each other and support the vulnerable, we will get through it. Anyone concerned about their mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the C.A.L.L. Helpline on 0800 132 737 or can text ‘help’ to 81066”
Notes to editors
Since the start of the pandemic Welsh Government has invested the following in mental health services:
- In addition to approximately £700m invested each year in NHS mental health services, the Welsh Government provided £7m of planned mental health service improvement funding to health boards to support the maintenance of essential mental health services while responding to the immediate pandemic pressures, as well as ongoing support for the Mental Health Delivery Plan priorities.
- An additional £2.2m for inpatient surge capacity to ensure mental health units had flexibility to manage additional demands and to deal with any outbreaks of the virus.
- Expanded the CALL mental health helpline and worked with Public Health Wales to provide tailored online information to support people to manage their mental health during the lockdown period.
- £1.3m to support the rollout of Silvercloud, an online cognitive behavioural therapy pilot; MIND Cymru’s Active Monitoring; the Young Person’s Mental Health Toolkit and BEAT’s Eating Disorders helpline are also available.
- Funding for a range of regional approaches to reduce suicide and self-harm including bereavement support, training and awareness raising.
- Working jointly with the Minister for Education, an extra £5m for mental health in schools, alongside £450,000 to go towards supporting mental health and well-being of the school workforce, funding is also provided for developing further provision for schools counselling and mental and emotional support to children younger than year 6.
- In July, Minister for Transport, Economy and North Wales announced a £40m investment in the Covid Commitment to support jobs and skills. This will be targeted to help those most affected by covid-19, including young people. The new funding will extend existing support through our In Work and Out of Work Support Services.
- Additional funding is being provided to Diverse Cymru to further embed the BAME Mental Health Workplace Good Practice Certification Scheme in Wales
- Last month, the Minister for Education announced an additional £10m to support mental health services and financial hardship funds for higher education students. The priorities for this funding include increasing capacity in students’ unions and universities to provide support services for students and staff, and to provide support and services, including food services, for students required to self-isolate.