Mental health pilot project to be launched in Lanarkshire

A national mental health project that seeks to deliver an‘ask once, get help fast’service for people in distress is to be piloted in Lanarkshire.

Known as Distress Brief Intervention (DBI), staff across a wide range of agencies will be trained to help people manage difficult emotions and problem situations at the earliest possible stage.

They will then be supported to overcome their immediate challenges and develop ways to look after their well-being, preventing future distress.

Last week, the minister for mental health, Maureen Watt, announced that South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (SLH&SCP) and Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (H&SCNL) have been selected to host the national DPI team.

Harry Stevenson, chief officer of SLH&SCP, said: “This initiative will help ensure there is no wrong door for those in distress, whether they approach social work, health or partner organisations such as the police or ambulance service.

“The DBI will build on the well-established spirit of joined-up, coordinated working, placing the person at the centre of everything we do.”

The Scottish Government will provide £4.2m to develop and test the effectiveness of the DBI over a four-year period to March 2021.

Maureen Watt said: “The Distress Brief Intervention is all about equipping people with the skills and support to manage their own health and to prevent future crisis.

“Early intervention like this is such an important part of how we treat mental health.”