A recent study into how local people who are homelessness experience local mental health services has highlighted some key concerns, prompting Healthwatch Newcastle to release a report on the issues.
Peer researchers talked directly to people who were homeless or in insecure accommodation, gaining vital insights into some common problems. Healthwatch has now released the report, which includes some important recommendations to improve mental health services in Newcastle and Gateshead for this vulnerable group of people.
To contribute to the study, Healthwatch Newcastle asked Fulfilling Lives Newcastle Gateshead (FLNG) to carry out work on its behalf and compile a report onexperiences of mental health services in Newcastle and Gateshead. FLNG’s goal is to make a serious impact on the lives of people with complex needs and improve the responses of the services that support them. A core methods of research is to use a team of peer researchers — trained ‘Experts by Experience’ — to talk to people. This is because many find it easier to open up to someone who has some experience of the issues they encounter rather than a professional, who people may not relate to as easily.
From October to December 2018, the Experts by Experience reached out to people who were homeless or living in insecure accommodation. These peer researchers asked a number of questions in focus groups and one-to-one interviews. They also used creative data capture methods, including asking participants to summarise in three words their ideal mental health service expectations. A scrapbook was developed for participants to record their experiences. A graphic novella featuring five short stories inspired by audio recordings was also made by participants. The team of peer researchers found a high level of despair and desperation evident in those they met during the study.
Expert by Experience Sheila Blatchford said:
“Peer research is a very important tool for gaining knowledge, as sometimes people do not feel comfortable talking to professionals or they will give answers that they expect the professionals are looking for. We gathered data and insights that we hope will give a voice to people with lived experience of homelessness or insecure accommodation.”
Sixty-seven percent of FLNG’s active clients have a diagnosed mental health issue. Many participants found the stigma associated with mental health and, in particular, with their drug, alcohol and offending histories to be a barrier when accessing services.
Experiences of mental health treatments were negative for the majority of participants.People said that their experiences with therapies and medication came up short. Four participants commented that their experience of talking therapy didn’t meet their expectations. Similarly, many spoke about group therapy as being infrequent and difficult to deal with.
Experiences with medication varied. Some people described self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, while others were frustrated by no longer being able to access medications previously prescribed for them. Some, however, had been on a journey to get the right medication and dose and reflected on this positively.
Steph Edusei, Healthwatch Newcastle Chief Executive, said:
“The key findings on access to mental health services were worrying. Many participants felt that their situation needed to escalate in order for them to get access to appropriate help. One participant said, ‘I was told if you have problems, ask for help. When I have asked for help I have been refused. I asked for help in the wrong way and I knew if I acted violently, they take you to hospital and you get the help. That was the only way I knew I could get help.’”
There are, however, recommendations that should enable positive changes, including:
- Allowing people to co-produce their own mental health treatment plans
- Improved access to support and treatment in a timely way
- Mental health services to work with housing, drug and alcohol services to create support that ‘wraps around’ mental health treatment
- Improved crisis support
- Better support for people with multiple and complex needs
- Access to someone who has the time and remit to talk
“Although this study and our report raise some worrying issues, Healthwatch Newcastle feels the work will be an important step in improving mental health services in the city, particular for vulnerable groups. Sadly, homelessness and mental health issues have an association but there are positive ways we can improve the lives of those affected,” said Ms Edusei.
ENDS
PHOTO – SHEILA BLATCHFORD WITH THE REPORT
Editor notes
Read the full report ‘Experiences of mental health services in Newcastle and Gateshead’ and the report by Fulfilling Lives at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/about-us/reports
About Healthwatch
We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We exist to ensure that people are at the heart of care. We listen to what people like about services, and what could be improved and we share their views with those with the power to make change happen. We also help people find the information they need about services in their area.
We have the power to ensure that people’s voices are heard by the government and those running services. As well as seeking the public’s views ourselves, we also encourage services to involve people in decisions that affect them. Our sole purpose is to help make care better for people.
About Fulfilling Lives
The Fulfilling Lives programme is an eight year national learning programme (ending in 2022),funded by The National Lottery Community Fund in partnership with Mental Health Concern and Oasis Community Housing, with twelve programmes operating across England. The level of funding and longevity of the programme allows the programme to make a serious impact upon the lives of people with complex needs and improve responses of the services that support them.
In Newcastle and Gateshead, supported by a Core Partnership, Fulfilling Lives works with people who are often excluded from the support they need, and experience a combination of at least three of the following four issues:
- Homelessness
- Offending
- Substance misuse
- Mental ill health
For more information, contact Ang Broadbridge, Fulfilling Lives Newcastle Gateshead Research and Evaluation Lead, angela.broadbridge@fulfillinglives-ng.org.uk
PR Media enquiries contact Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951