New funding worth £5.5m to improve mental health services in Wales has been announced by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths.
£3.5m will go towards support at a local level, meaning enhanced mental health services being delivered in primary care settings such as GP surgeries.
A further £2m will support an expanded independent mental health advocacy service. The service helps and support patients to understand and exercise their legal rights.
The funding supports the implementation of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure which became law in 2010, which ensures mental health services are better designed around patients’ needs.
Every patient within secondary mental health services will also receive an individual care and treatment plan, developed in collaboration with them and their carers.
Patients discharged from secondary mental health services will also have a direct route back to services if they feel their mental health is subsequently deteriorating.
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “With one in four people suffering from mental health issues at some point in their lifetime, this funding will mean better support for people closer to their homes.
“This additional money will mean mental health services will be available within primary care settings and be delivered alongside general health services provided by GPs.
“It also means that mental health services will be more personalised, focusing on the recovery model of care and treatment, appropriately tailored for specific groups.
“It will also mean that individuals will get timely access to assessment when they have been discharged from secondary mental health services but feel they would again benefit from further treatment.”