INCREASING numbers of people are ringing 999 while suffering mental health distress. Kate Liptrot reports on a charity's work to ensure people in need in York don't have to rely on emergency services.

A SMALL but growing number of people are calling emergency services when they are in mental distress.

Some call because they don't know where else to turn. Many are suffering mental distress alongside substance misuse, trauma, abuse or homelessness.

To address the issue, the national charity Together for Mental Wellbeing, has announced plans to set up a York Pathways service in Clarence Street to work with up to 25 vulnerable adults at a time and to be there seven days a week, including during the evenings.

Liz Felton, CEO of Together for Mental Wellbeing, said: “We know that often people make contact with emergency services when they reach crisis point, but that often these services are unable to provide the support they need. Our service in York aims to redirect them to more appropriate support and really get to the bottom of what is behind their distress, so that steps can be taken to improve their situation.

“We believe that individuals are experts in knowing what works best for them. This service is designed to be flexible and allow people to define their own goals and the type of support they receive. We hope that the service will equip them with the tools they need to enable them to lead their own journey to wellbeing.”

As well as being a benefit to the individual, money will be saved through a reduction in the number of calls to emergency services, which in some cases can cost up to £40,000 per person.

The service will be run by Together in collaboration with LankellyChase Foundation, Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), City of York Council (CYC), Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, North Yorkshire Police and other critical health and social care partners.

It will offer help to people by working out the problems at the root of their distress and helping them engage positively with other support.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The launch of York Pathways is very welcome news for the residents of York and for the agencies who come into contact with people who are mentally distressed.

“The police are not the right organisation to provide support for anyone with mental health problems and it is vital that anyone in such a vulnerable position receives the support and advice of appropriate professionals. We are pleased to be working with the Pathways team and look forward to seeing the long-term benefits of the scheme.”

For further information please contact the service directly by calling 07711072784 or 07889088096, or emailing york-pathways@together-uk.org.