Northamptonshire mental health charity boss backs campaign for Government support package during second lockdown

A local mental health charity is calling on the Government to release a support package to help look after the wellbeing of communities during the second national lockdown.

Northamptonshire Mind is pleading with the central Government to learn from the ‘mistakes made’ the first time around and offer better mental health support during the winter lockdown.

The charity has set out five objectives, which it believes the Government needs to hit in order to improve the mental wellbeing of communities.

Those objectives include investing in community services, protecting those most at risk, reforming the Mental Health Act, providing a financial safety net and supporting children and young people.

Sarah Hillier, CEO of Northamptonshire Mind, said: “We are facing the greatest test of our mental health this year.

“There is an urgent need for a Winter Mental Health Support Package now from the Government.

“This must include access to face to face and online mental health services for those who need it and this time round we need to pay particular attention to people with serious mental health problems at risk of imminent crisis, as well as the wider challenges of the pandemic on the general public’s mental health.

“Far too many people aren’t getting the support they need, resulting in increased strain on the NHS and more people ending up in crisis across Northamptonshire and indeed, the whole country.”

The charity boss went on to address concerns from the first lockdown, which she believes need to be taken into consideration during the second lockdown.

Sarah added: “The Government has to learn from mistakes in the first wave, making sure people can get help early on.

“During the first wave we saw mental health bed capacity being sacrificed to ease pressure on other parts of the system, but this cannot happen again; demand for these beds is increasing and will only continue to do so as we head into winter.

“As well as healthcare, we know wider issues of the pandemic, such as debt, housing and employment have had a huge impact on people’s mental health.

“We’re concerned many people will fall through the gaps during a second lockdown, to prevent this alternative support must be made available, such as keeping the increased rate of Universal Credit.”

To find out more about the charity’s plea, visit its website.

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