Drop-in sessions for people struggling with their mental health launch city-wide this World Mental Health Day
Expert advice and support on offer in Leeds communities
A programme of drop-in sessions launched to support people in Leeds who are struggling with their mental health is being expanded this month (October 2018) and will now be offered city-wide.
The announcement coincides with World Mental Health Day (Wednesday 10 October), which aims to raise awareness of mental health and the support available, while tackling the stigma so often attached to mental illness.
The sessions are run by a team from Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Yorkshire-based mental health and wellbeing charity, Touchstone.
They’re open to anyone in need of support with their mental health or who may be feeling isolated or alone.
As well as providing a listening ear, expert staff at the drop-ins can offer advice and signpost to other relevant services. They can also provide practical support with things like forms and phone calls related to everything from housing to benefits.
The sessions are open to everyone, whether or not they’re already under the care of NHS services. The only people they can’t support are those currently in a mental health crisis, or those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Previously, drop-in sessions had been held in the centre of Leeds. This is now expanding, city-wide, to cover the following areas.
| Times, dates and venues |
| Dewsbury Road Community Hub, Beeston First Tuesday of every month, 11am to 12.30pm (started on Tuesday 2 October) |
| Armley One Stop, Town Street Second Tuesday of every month, 1pm to 2.30pm (started on Tuesday 9 October) |
| Reginald Centre, Chapeltown Third Tuesday of every month, 1pm to 2.30pm (starting Tuesday 16 October) |
| Seacroft Community Hub, Deacon House Fourth Tuesday of every month, 11am to 12.30pm (starting Tuesday 23 October) |
Zellany Neal, a Creative Practitioner at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The idea of the drop-in sessions is to support people who are struggling with their mental health.
“While you don’t need to have used mental health services to come along, we’d received feedback from some of our services users who felt they didn’t know where to turn once they’d been discharged.
“There’s a lot going on and a lot of support out there and it’s about helping people to tap into it.
“That’s one of the benefits of taking these sessions out into the community. As well as helping to reduce stigma by making ourselves known, we can also help those who come to us to make their own connections in the community. By operating out of community hubs, we’re positioned where a lot of social things are taking place as well.
“If you see this and you’re struggling, please don’t sit and suffer alone. Come and talk to us.”
Colin O’Loan, Senior Worker for the Community Support Team at Touchstone, added:
“One in four people will experience a mental health problem each year (MIND). Accessing support and navigating service provision can be problematic for many individuals. By working together across the city we can begin to reduce barriers, promote early intervention and demystify pathways for arising mental health concerns.”
Resources:
Download a poster advertising the sessions.
Download a flyer advertising the sessions.
For more information, please contact:
Community Mental Health Team
Aire Court
0113 855 0600
Community Support Team
Touchstone
0113 2718277