Falling in a gap in mental health services in the UK: a perspective paper

ABSTRACT

As the importance of mental health has started to be recognised in the last decade in the United Kingdom, mental health support in the country has been strengthened involving diverse services and teams such as primary care, local community mental health teams and crisis teams. While the current structure appears to support all levels of mental health issues, this perspective paper highlights the access to talking therapies in the local community mental health teams. Delayed treatment or non-treatment for mental health problems can cause serious consequences including suicides. Information sharing, training, and flexible pathways are suggested as the first step to fill in the gap in the mental health services in the country.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health services
• talking therapies
• health policies
• United Kingdom
• gap in services
• perspective paper

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yasuhiro Kotera

Dr Yasuhiro Kotera is Associate Professor in Mental Health at the University of Nottingham. He is also an Accredited Psychotherapist at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. His research includes mental health, cross-culture, selfcompassion and motivation.

Amy Harris

Amy Harris is the Chief Executive Officer at the Relate Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. Her practice and research relate to mental health and mental health policies.

Jennifer Raschbauer

Jennifer Raschbauer is the Project Manager at the Community Chesterfield and the Derbyshire Voluntary Action. Her practice and research focus on volunteering and wellbeing.

Alison Gibson

Alison Gibson is Community Development Officer at the Community Chesterfield and the Derbyshire Voluntary Action. Her practice and research focus on wellbeing of vulnerable people including geriatric wellbeing and children's mental health.