Mental health support in primary care across the Black Country area is being expanded with the introduction of Mental Health Practitioners in GP surgeries.
Mental Health Practitioners, also referred to as First Contact Mental Health Practitioners, act as the first point of contact for adults facing mild to moderate mental health concerns, aiming to reduce the need to see a GP and ensuring that people receive timely care to suit their needs.
This specialist role has been embedded into GP practices across the Black Country. The is a collaborative effort funded and facilitated by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and participating GPs as part of the Community Mental Health Transformation Programme.
The transformation programme will make it easier for adults with severe mental illness to access care and support close to home in a new, more joined up and effective way, regardless of their diagnosis or level of complexity. Our new way of working links community and specialist mental health services, local authorities and volunteer groups across the Black Country to signpost people to support available in their local community.
The new Mental Health Practitioner roles will enhance access to mental health support and create stronger connections between primary care, secondary care, and voluntary, community and faith organisations by sharing knowledge and developing a deeper understanding of mental health and available support. The new roles aim to improve access and help to better signpost to support available.
Laura Brookes, Associate Director of Partnerships at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the significance of these embedded roles in GP surgeries, stating: "Introducing these new roles to support individuals with mental health concerns across the Black Country will establish a more integrated approach, ensuring timely support that is conveniently close to home."
The initiative has received praise from people who use this service, with one user expressing gratitude for the Mental Health Practitioner providing “personalised tools to help me feel more in control with how I feel, and stopping my anxiety taking over.” Another service user stated that having access to a Mental Health Practitioner “taught me a lot of techniques to help me deal with my mental health problems, such as sleep, my anxiety and depression.”
The initiative seeks to develop and transform local community mental health support, empowering individuals with greater choice and control over their care to thrive in their communities.
We are working to build on these new roles to further enhance support provided in Primary Care through the community mental health transformation programme.
For further information and media inquiries, please contact: bhcft.communications@nhs.net