Centre welcomes report by Mind following an inquiry into acute and crisis mental healthcare in the UK

21 November, 2011

“A mental health crisis is a frightening and isolating experience. Over 1.25 million people used NHS specialist mental health services in 2009–10 and it’s vital that people in crisis are treated with kindness and respect in a place where they can feel safe”

Sean Duggan said today, commenting on Listening to experience, a report commissioned by Mind following an independent inquiry into acute and crisis mental healthcare in the UK.

The inquiry heard evidence from heard evidence from 400 service users and professionals in relation to acute mental healthcare in England and Wales. The report made four recommendations: that acute care is built on humane values and embodies a culture of service and hospitality; that services reflect the diversity of people’s needs and home circumstances; that there should be an explicit acknowledgement that people themselves know how they need to be treated and the medical emphasis in acute care should be reduced.

“It’s clear that the most successful services are those which have taken a creative approach and really listened to the people who use them. This report also shows the important role that peer support can play in recovery. Many people experiencing a crisis would prefer to be supported by people who have experienced mental health problems themselves. Worryingly, this report highlights instances where people are not receiving the level of care they are entitled to; leaving people with urgent mental health needs isolated, unsupported and let down by the services available to them.”