Mental health charity could close

‘It would be catastrophic’ warns Mind boss

Scarborough’s leading mental health charity will be forced to shut unless funding is quickly found.

Unless cash is urgently found Mind will be forced to close the door on the 800 people it helps annually – something managers say would be a “catastrophic” for the vulnerable people it helps.

Duncan Webster, Chairman of Mind’s board of trustees, said if the service does end then people will be “forced to face mental health alone”.

“Our financial crisis results from a lack of core funding to support premises, administration and management costs – without this core structure in place we will not be able to function,” said Duncan.

“Times of austerity have meant that many more people are coming to us in crisis.

“We are also noticing that the severity of their condition has increased – because other services have been cut many people who are suicidal are coming directly to us desperate for support.”

Despite being affiliated with the Mind brand, the Scarborough and Ryedale offshoot is devoid of any central funding from the charity.

And with a funding shortfall anticipated for May and June, the service could conceivably close within four weeks.

That, says Mr Webster, would be a crucial blow for an area in which one in four people are likely to experience mental health problems at some point in their life.

It would also have a knockon effect to under-pressure A&E departments and GP surgeries.

“We are the only mental health charity in the area with the experience to take serious and acute referrals from statutory services thereby reducing the commitment of A&E departments and GP surgeries,” added Mr Webster.

“To lose a prominent and respected provider of mental health services across Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale would be catastrophic for the people with mental health issues that we support. It would also increase the demand on statutory services at a time when they are already under significant pressure.”

Please visit www.swrmind. org.uk for more information about the charity and to see how you can donate.

800 How many people the charity claim it

helps annually