A mental health charity in Suffolk says their service reduces pressure on an overloaded NHS
Labour's government pledged 8,500 additional mental health staff in the NHS, but this doesn't include charities
A mental health Charity in Suffolk says more support is needed in the sector to help the growing demand they're facing.
It's been around six months since the labour government won the general election, promising 8,500 additional mental health staff in the NHS.
Jon Neal from Suffolk Mind supports the increase of staff but acknowledges that charities like them are also vital in reducing pressure on an overloaded NHS.
"It's those services that are not contracted by the NHS or procured by the NHS, those are the ones that are supporting the NHS even though they're not necessarily paying for them."
He explained that they've seen a huge increase in the amount of people coming to Suffolk Mind for help.
In May 2024 they saw over 3,200 contacts to their helpline. That's over 100 calls a day on average.
Jon explained that the influx they're seeing only highlights just how many people require mental health help at the moment and for them, their services rely heavily on fundraising.
"If it's (their service) not funded if that went away. Where would those people go? They'd call 111, they'd call 999, they'd be accessing GP services more. They'd be putting more of a strain on the NHS. It's a service we provide because it's needed it's required."
Another way in which Suffolk Mind is trying to help with the demand for services is through its collaboration with the University of Suffolk with the goal of increasing qualified councillors in the region.
"Our long term aim is to make Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health. One of our long term aims, in partnership with the University of Suffolk is to make Suffolk the best place in the world to learn to be a councillor.
"We have University of Suffolk students taking on placement with Suffolk Mind. They're delivering counselling from the campus.
"Want to make it as attractive a prospect as possible to become a councillor."