CHARITIES and support services for people living with a range of mental health conditions have come together to highlight the help available across York.
A variety of groups, from York Mind to IDAS, gathered at City of York Council’s base in Clarence Street, to let people know help is at hand, despite the city’s support network experiencing a turbulent two years since Bootham Park Hospital was closed.
Canse Karatas, a mental health resource centre worker, said the event was born out of Mental Health Awareness Week, which took place earlier in the year, as residents explained they were unsure of the services available to them since the mental health hospital was closed to inpatients in October 2015.
She said: “With different places closing we thought we would get everyone together and show them everything that’s going on.”
York Explore library staff set up inside to tell people about the books they can prescribe to patients, which are chosen by professionals, doctors and practitioners.
They offer a list of books on prescription as a first step when diagnosed with an illness to allow people to better understand their conditions.
Abbie Myers from York Healthwatch added: “We can assign certain people to help you with your complaint if you need support.
“Healthwatch allows you to get the best out of your local services.
“You can shape the services according to your needs.”
Representatives from St Nicks Nature Reserve were also there, and set up a stall to tell people about Ecotherapy, a treatment which promotes good mental and physical wellbeing through activities outdoors.
They run sessions five days a week, Monday to Friday, with group activities led by trained workers, while those taking part receive one-to-one mentor support.
Kathy Sturgess, Ecotherapy Project Manager, said: “The programme is five days a week and has three strands; green exercise, conservation biodiversity and connecting to nature creatively.
“We are a green organisation, assisting in the recovery of mental health. We provide a nice stepping stone onto the next aspect of their journey.”
To get involved with Ecotherapy at St Nicks fill out a referral form at www.stnicks.org.uk/ecotherapy, phone 01904 411821 or e-mail ecotherapy@stnicks.org
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