04.04.16
Birmingham launches groundbreaking young people’s mental health service
Mental health services for young people aged 0 to 25 will be covered by one organisation in a groundbreaking new scheme in Birmingham that aims to tackle the crisis in young people’s mental health care.
Forward Thinking Birmingham, first announced last year, will bring together mental health services for the 0-25 age group in closer alignment with health, education and care plans, and local authority services for people with learning disabilities and those in care.
It also seeks to bridge the gap in services for 16 to 18 year olds.
David Melbourne, interim CEO at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We have listened to what children, young people and young adults want and our services have been designed with them in mind, giving us the best possible chance to set young people on a path towards a healthier, happier and brighter future.”
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is the lead partner of Forward Thinking Birmingham, along with Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the Priory Group, Beacon UK and The Children’s Society. It was commissioned by Birmingham South Central, Birmingham Cross City, and Sandwell and West Birmingham CCGs.
A report last year recommended a complete overhaul of children and young people’s mental health services, including changes to commissioning.
Dr Diana Reeves, accountable officer for Birmingham South Central CCG, said: “As CCGs we are proud to have commissioned Forward Thinking Birmingham to provide this transformational model of mental health services for children and young adults aged up to 25, and to be working with them, and children, young people and young adults themselves, to ensure the voice of the service user drives the development of the service.
“Emotional and mental wellbeing is a critical part of all our health, particular during the formative years. Around half of all mental health illnesses begin by 14 years of age and three-quarters by 24 years. Preventing and identifying mental health issues as early as possible is crucial to effective treatment and recovery.
“I’m confident that offering this completely new way of providing evidence based mental health services with creative solutions identified in partnership with service users will lead to the best outcomes for our children and young adults.”
Other improvements include an Access Centre to act as the front door for patients and referrers, an out-of-hours crisis service, a 24/7 phone number, a city centre drop-in service called Pause, an improved patient management system and new inpatient beds for 18-25 year olds in a therapeutic environment.