We are working to ensure that children on the Isle of Wight are supported to get the best start in life that will lead to good health and wellbeing. This will provide the foundation to ensure they are able to achieve the best opportunities and keep as healthy and well as possible throughout their lives.
We want to ensure that families, individuals and communities are thriving and resilient with access to good jobs, affordable housing, leisure activities, lifelong training, education and learning, health and care services are are able to enjoy the place in which they live.
We want to ensure that people on the Isle of Wight are able to live independently in their own homes with appropriate care support. We want to make sure older residents are supported to play an active role in their communities and supported to maintain and develop their social and community networks.
If we don’t act urgently, by 2030 depression will be the leading illness globally, is the key message from the Mental Health Foundation, as part of World Mental Health Day, celebrated each year on October 10.
According to national statistics, one in three adults in England report having experienced a traumatic event in their life and one in six adults report having a common mental health problem in the last week[i]. For some people this is short lived, but for others it can cause ongoing distress and can impact on their quality of life.
“There is no health without mental health and early intervention is key,” explains John Doherty, Clinical Director for Mental Health & Learning Disability Services at Isle of Wight NHS Trust. “We are trying to find as many avenues as possible to reach Islanders. People need support in the community when they become stressed and unwell, and also to give them the skills to be resilient, before they are in crisis. Empowering individuals to cope better with ill health is very much part of the ethos of the My Life a Full Life programme.”
Where islanders can find help
If you need help with mental health or substance abuse, ask for it by contacting your GP or seek advice or support from the following services:
E-mental health services
To help support people experiencing anxiety, depression or general worry the Island’s healthcare providers have been championing the use of E-Mental Health tools. E-mental health is free and open to all on the island with no need for a referral. There are three therapy tools available, each tool has a different style and approach to therapy allowing people to choose the one best suited to them. Islanders can access and use these therapies at their own convenience whether in the comfort of their own home, or when they are out and about from their electronic devices. The three programmes are:
Other support includes:
Call IRIS, the island’s drug and alcohol service, on 01983 526654 or email iris@iow.nhs.uk
Contact the NHS Primary Care Mental Health Team to access mental health practitioners and therapists offering a wide range of treatments for mental health problems, health worries, post-traumatic stress disorder and low self-esteem. Practioners are based across the Island within GP surgeries but have their main centre in Newport with easy access through the established public transport links. Ask your GP for a referral or call 01983 532 860 to book an appointment directly. Website: http://www.iow.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health-services/primary-care-mental-health-team.htm
Mental Health Statistics:
More data about mental health in the Community can be found at https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile-group/mental-health/profile/cmhp/data#page/1/gid/8000053/pat/46/par/E39000025/ati/19/are/E38000087
[i] Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014, https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/monitoring-and-assessment/assessment/current-assessments/national-study-of-health-and-wellbeing-adult-psychiatric-morbidity-survey-apms/
