By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham mental health support services need to become more accessible for hard-to-reach groups, a new report says.
Young people, those with long-term health conditions, and black, Asian and other minority groups often have the greatest difficulty in getting help, according to an assessment being discussed by Nottingham City Council next week.
Cultural taboos, lack of confidence and language can all present barriers, the report says.
The council’s health committee will hear from the Talking Therapies and Step 4 mental health services on Thursday (May 16).
Around 7,000 people in Nottinghamshire are receiving mental health support at any one time.
There should be ‘no wrong door’ for users, the report says, with people guided to help whether they approach pharmacies, social services, GPs, their place of education or anywhere else.
Young people aged 18 to 25 are the largest group, making up around a quarter of the figures.
However, they can suffer from social stigma or embarrassment about speaking out, according to the council report, and may also face financial and logistical challenges.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the free Be U Notts service are aiming to make it easier for young people to get the help they need.
This includes working with local universities and the Cripps Health Centre at the University of Nottingham.
There are also challenges in reaching South Asian communities, including “a lack of language/words for mental health.”
Providers say they need to address “cultural taboos and stigma, and reassurance around confidentiality and privacy”.
Some people from minority groups may require interpreters, therapists of a specific background and materials in different languages.
Another harder-to-reach group is those with long-term health conditions, whose illness may make it difficult for them to travel.
The NHS is aiming to make it easier to refer people directly from diabetes, cardio and respiratory treatment.
Services will also focus on men, carers and unemployed people over the next year, as they tend to engage less with mental health services.
