Positive News about “PositiveMinds”

It’s full steam ahead for a new-style service in Portsmouth, supporting people facing struggles with their mental or emotional health.

Planning permission has been granted for the “PositiveMinds” project, and work is now underway to get the premises just off Middle Street, Southsea ready to offer support and advice to those needing extra help coping with difficult periods in their lives.

The new service is the result of a partnership between the NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Solent NHS Trust, Portsmouth City Council, and Solent Mind – which will provide the majority of the staff and services based at the site.

The new service will look and feel different to traditional NHS care. PositiveMinds will feature a combination of trained Wellbeing Advisors who have lived experience of mental health difficulties, and healthcare professionals, as well as access to advice about other issues which can often affect people’s mental health – such as housing or debt. Portsmouth residents will be able to phone or email the service, and will have the option to book appointments or drop-in.

PositiveMinds will be open to all adults in the city, and will also include specific help for veterans and their families, and trained therapists from the Talking Change service.

Dr Nick Moore, a Portsmouth GP and mental health lead for NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “I’m delighted that, as we mark World Mental Health Day, we can confirm that it is now all systems go to get PositiveMinds up and running in Portsmouth.

“We are fortunate to have a range of brilliant mental health services here in the city, but this service will be a truly important addition to that. As a GP, I see people every day who need to talk to someone who can help them, who knows what they are going through, and who can put them in touch with invaluable support and advice to help them cope with the stresses they are facing. We hope that PositiveMinds can provide that welcoming first port of call for many people who might be struggling to reach out and get the help they need.”

Sarah Austin, chief operating officer for Solent NHS Trust, said: “I am so pleased that this new service will be open soon for the benefit of our Portsmouth citizens – it provides an important option for people who are unsure where to go for help.

“I am also delighted that it will provide a specific service for our armed forces veterans and their families, provided by those who truly understand the specific concerns of those who have served.”

Kevin Gardner, chief executive officer at Solent Mind, added: “This World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder to us all of the vital role mental health and wellbeing services play, with 1 in 4 of us experiencing issues with our mental health.

“Positive Minds will be an exciting addition to the services available across Portsmouth, helping people develop the skills and confidence to manage their own wellbeing, and inspiring hope for recovery and a better future.”

Ends

Notes:

• In 2019, World Mental Health Day is on 10 October.
• PositiveMinds is a collaboration between Solent Mind, NHS Solent Trust, Portsmouth City Council and NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group.
• Once open, the service can be accessed by people being ‘signposted’ there by GPs or other practice staff, or by simply turning up.
• It is intended to provide support to people facing a wide range of problems, but is not primarily intended to be a crisis point, or a new ‘mental health A&E’.
• People will be able to access one-to-one or group support, workshops, life coaching, or Talking Change counsellors.
• There will also be links to other, non-health support such as housing advice, citizens’ advice, or social prescribing.
• The Armed Forces Covenant is funding some veteran-specific support, for those people – and their families – who have left the forces and may need additional support.
• When it opens, PositiveMinds will be available noon-8pm on Mondays-Fridays, and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.