Mental health support strategy launched

Rotherham council has proposed a new strategy to support people with mental health problems after rates of depression nearly doubled

A plan to overhaul mental health support services has been launched by Rotherham Council.

The number of people registered as suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the past decade in the borough, according to the council.

A draft adult social care mental health strategy sets out a new three-year plan to improve access to support from next year, including through better crisis response services.

According to the council, the prevalence of depression in Rotherham increased from 8.8% in 2012 to 17.3% in 2022, surpassing the national average of 13.2%.

The council said the rise reflected the pressures faced by residents, including the impact of the cost of living crisis, isolation, insecure work and housing challenges.

Demand for social care support linked to poor mental health had also grown, according to the council report.

In August 460 adults were receiving help from adult social care services with mental health listed as their primary reason for support - a rise of 21% in just two years.

Under the draft proposals, early intervention would be expanded, people would be able to access help closer to home, and waiting times for assessments would be reduced.

New mental health support hubs could be created across the borough and the existing Mental Health Enablement Service, which offers up to 15 weeks of tailored support, could be expanded, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council has proposed setting up a new Mental Health Partnership Board to ensure residents' voices shape services.

The draft strategy said there would be a commitment to complete most Care Act assessments within 28 working days and there would be more accessible information and advice for residents and carers.

As well as new training for staff, the strategy also included stronger support for families and people who care for someone with poor mental health.

he draft strategy is now open to feedback as the council begins shaping the final version, which is due to be adopted in 2026.

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