PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SANCTUARY SERVICES

Descriptions

The Swansea Bay University Health Board footprint which consists of the local authorities of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, has some of the most deprived areas within the UK.As identified through the work supporting the Welsh Government Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat, the Mental Health Sanctuary Service will provide a non-accommodation based service, operating out of hours which will offer somewhere to turn to for people who are experiencing a social/emotional crisis, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and/or having suicidal thoughts. Responding to mental health emotional and social distress/crisis is a complex area of work which covers a broad spectrum of need.The Sanctuary Service will bridge a significant gap in primary and secondary care mental health provision by providing a non-clinical therapeutic lead service, alongside more traditional routes and services, to support people in Mental Health Crisis in a calming and safe environment. Currently individuals would be triaged via the current GP out of hours/accident and emergency route or not seen at all outside of current mental health provision.This service will enable individuals to de-escalate and deal with the factors/issues affecting their crisis and identify coping strategies to increase their resilience by:•Providing a service which supports the needs of those in, at the risk of, or at the point of a social/emotional crisis within the Swansea Bay University Health Board area.•Providing a service at a time outside of traditional service operating times.•Reducing the demand and effect on other services.•Act as a conduit to identify, broker, and signpost individuals to other help and support agencies as needed.