The new model
Working with recovery partners has helped us to design a new integrated mental health service model that builds on mental health, physical health and emotional wellbeing across the system. They describe it as a ‘one door, no wrong doors’ approach.
How it will work in practice
Benefits and service improvements:
- Recognition of the importance of prevention and the promotion of emotional wellbeing.
- Early intervention services to provide support at the first sign of symptoms will be expanded and provided in partnership with voluntary and community organisations to provide more support, much earlier.
- People will be able to self-refer through a Single Point of Access, and the new early intervention services will support self-directed care.
- Getting it right the first time; the Single Point of Access will be led by experienced senior mental health clinicians and social care professionals; they will help people get to the correct ‘specialist’ level at the start of the respective ‘pathway’.
This model differs from others by recognising and addressing the gap for people who don’t ‘fit’ the criteria to access the national ‘Improving Access to Therapies’ (IAPT).
IAPT programme includes:
- People who need a lower level, often practical, support to enhance their coping skills and resilience.
- People who have higher-level needs but don’t have the motivation or are too anxious to access and maintain support.
- People who exceed the IAPT criteria but don’t meet the threshold for more specialist mental health or inpatient services.
Our investment in mental health will also include funding for:
- 2 Crisis Cafés – one in Bridgwater, one in the Mendip area.
- Development of specific pathways of care for people with developing or established personality disorder, and/or eating disorders, and self-harm, to help both prevent deterioration in their condition and support and maintain their path to recovery.
