Mental Health in Thanet (post COVID)

There are concerns already being expressed in relation to the rise in the number of Kent residents requiring mental health support. There has been a 20% rise in the number of referrals between 2020 and 2021. Kent County Council (KCC) has called for crucial improvements to be made in support services across the 12 areas of Kent (excluding Medway). Spending on mental health services as monitored by Mental Health Watch is recorded as being £189.88 per person 2021/22 in Kent and Medway compared to £208.69 across England (overall 9% lower). This would represent increases of 4.2% on the actual investment per head in 2020/21 and 6.6% on the actual spend per head in 2019/20. The Kent Improved Access to Psychological Therapies Programme (IAPT) clinical recovery rate is at 46% and therefore below the government target of 50%.

Thanet’s mental health needs, like those of Medway, have always been statistically higher due, in main, to a number of poverty related health inequalities. A growing body of evidence reveals a strong socioeconomic gradient in mental health with people in a lower socioeconomic status having a greater likelihood of developing mental health problems. Thanet continues to rank as the most deprived local authority in Kent as measured by the indices of multiple deprivation. Thanet has the highest rate of child poverty in Kent and in the South East; around 10,500 children are affected according to the survey for End Child Poverty. The UK has some of the worst child poverty rates in Europe. Children living in households in the lowest 20% income bracket in Great Britain are two to three times more likely to develop mental health problems than those in the highest. Employment status statistics also reveal that those who are unemployed or economically inactive have higher rates of common mental health problems than those who are employed. Those on housing benefit are more than twice as likely to have a common mental health problem. These statistics are just some of the variables that impact mental health in Thanet.

Statistics relating to substance abuse, psychosis/schizophrenia, severe and enduring mental health problems, personality and eating disorders and children’s mental health issues have historically been higher in Thanet. Without doubt local services are struggling; substance misuse referrals have increased as have referrals to primary and secondary mental health services, and even more importantly to children and adolescent services. There is a lack of early intervention which would prevent people’s mental health deteriorating to a point where more extensive interventions are required. The waiting lists for children’s services are at an all-time high due to an increase in demand and a lack of appropriately qualified practitioners.

What can we do to protect and assist our mental health? Firstly, try to put things in place that assist and support you; work, a healthy diet, exercise, good relationships, friendships and self-care are all sound basics; put your well-being first.

Consult your GP if you feel in need of more intensive support.

In the event of a crisis please use the helpline numbers below or the Accident and Emergency Department at the QEQM.

Adults
For residents of Thanet who are not currently a patient with Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (KMPT). Call 0800 783 9111, a 24-hour helpline for urgent mental health support or 0800 107 0160 for a conversation with someone from Release the Pressure team. You can also text Kent on 85258 for 24-hour mental health crisis support.

Under 18’s (Children and Young People’s Services)
Residents of Thanet can call a 24 hour Single Point of Access 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three).

Other services
Porchlight on 0800 567 7699
Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.uk
Live Well Kent for over 17’s at www.livewellkent.org.uk
Forward Trust Thanet on 01843 233600

Written by:
Councillor Jane Hetherington BA (Hons),
MSc Integrative Psychotherapy,
MSc Mental Health,
UKCP reg, BACP accred.