MAP, an independent youth charity, is campaigning to get the mental health care young people deserve. They’re concentrating those efforts particularly in Norfolk and Waveney. MAP currently has hubs in municipal King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth, and Norwich. They’re committed to providing young people with the essential help they need to overcome their mental health issues. The organization’s chief executive, Dan Mobbs, emphasizes the importance of their services amidst increasing demand and lengthy waiting times for NHS treatment.
We know that mental health issues among young people have increased drastically especially since the pandemic. Due to this, MAP has had waiting lists of more than six months for several of its in-house services. In answer to this challenge, MAP is dedicated to empowering youth while they wait for NHS treatment. They accomplish this through frequent check-ins and proactive redirection.
MAP’s partnership with the NHS allows it to provide a range of mental health services, including support for young people like Mel, a 15-year-old from King’s Lynn. Mel, the subject of the film, was told she faced a four-year wait for a referral for treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder on the NHS. To date, she has accumulated five years of recovery. She credits MAP with helping her turn her life around and regain control.
“No-one would believe me. Without MAP, I wouldn’t have got my treatment.” – Mel
The charity’s initial support hubs were established under the previous Conservative government. Most importantly, they address today’s critical mental health needs of young people, playing a key role in preventing crises from developing into more serious issues. Each of these hubs have become essential resources for youth who need crisis intervention and safety. They are incredibly important in filling this gap while these young people await formal treatment on the NHS.
According to MAP, “We’re here for them no matter what they come in with.” This commitment underscores their dedication to ensuring that every young person receives the care they need, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their mental health challenges.
Our case study of the NSFT improvements for people waiting for assessments shows how their waiting times have halved. They’ve worked to improve overall treatment times in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Their spokesperson stated, “We are committed to delivering high-quality and timely care to children and young people in our communities.” Mark Harrison, an advocate for better mental health services, sounded an alarm. While he applauded the recent progress, he said that we need to fund thousands more beds and investment in mental health services that will bring people into the community’s mainstream care.
Mel was a champion for the idea that early intervention is the best approach to quality mental health care.
“I think prevention is so much better than cure and if we can deal with mental health issues before they get worse it will be so much better for young people.” – Mel
MAP is a key contributor to the youth mental health care landscape in Norfolk and Waveney. Its influence is nothing short of groundbreaking for the vulnerable and needy. By providing early support and partnering with the NHS, it aims to ensure that young people receive timely and effective treatment. As the demand for mental health services grows, the charity remains steadfast in its mission to deliver quality care to the youth in its communities.
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