Thousands stuck on waiting lists for mental health support in Mansfield as service reaches 'breaking point'

Steve Yemm, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Mansfield, has drawn attention to the data as calls grow for the Government to address their handling of mental health services across the country.

Since 2010, one-in-four mental health beds has been cut across the country as waiting times for treatment have soared.

Across NHS Nottinghamshire integrated care board, there were 9,605 children on waiting lists in December and 28,810 adults.

Mr Yemm said: “These figures demonstrate just how much our community, and our children, are suffering.

“Children should not be languishing in A&E because they can’t receive treatment in the community.”

He argued many mental health services are at “breaking point”, with staff overstretched and NHS services being neglected for over a decade.

The result is hundreds of thousands of people are being turned away from services without having any treatment.

Across Nottinghamshire ICB in December, 4,820 referrals were closed before the patient received any treatment.

Mr Yemm said: “Our children deserve better – it’s why the next Labour Government will enshrine a preventative approach to mental health, opening mental health hubs for children and young people locally and making sure that all of our local schools have access to a mental health professional.”

Meanwhile, the ICB said mental health support is a top priority.

Maxine Bunn, ICB system delivery director for mental health and children, said: “Mental health support is one of our top priorities and there has been a large increase in ongoing investment in mental health provision across Nottinghamshire for children and adults.

“Recently we have introduced a new NHS Talking Therapies service which anyone can access or make an appointment with directly, as well as a 24-hour text messaging support service which provides free and confidential mental health support.

“For children and young people we have increased capacity within community children adolescent mental health services and continue to expand mental health support in schools provision.”

You can text the word Notts to 85258 to get mental health support. The service is open 24/7 and volunteers, supervised by clinicians, can help with issues such as anxiety, stress and depression.