PEOPLE experiencing mental health problems across the South West will get faster, more joined-up care closer to home, as the government announces new mental health facilities including one in Somerset.

The scheme will see the delivery of seven new Mental Health Neighbourhood Centres and nine new Mental Health Emergency Department schemes in the first two years across the region as part of the biggest redesign of NHS neighbourhood mental health services in a generation.

Somerset Integrated Care Board is working towards a new Mental Health Emergency Department scheme to be based at Musgrove Park Hospital.

The new services will bring mental health and specialist teams together under one roof, making it easier for people to get the right support before problems escalate.

The announcement supports the government's mission to shift care from crisis to prevention, helping people to access get support earlier and closer to home.

It aligns with the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, which will look beyond the NHS to the role of schools, employers, local government and the voluntary sector in supporting good mental health.

Demand for mental health services has risen sharply, particularly among children and young people, with around one in five people experiencing a common mental health condition each year.

Too often, people only receive support once they reach crisis point, leaving families without the help they need and placing greater pressure on NHS services.

By intervening earlier, the government aims to help more children in the South West stay in education, more adults remain in or return to work, and reduce the number of people reaching crisis point, helping build a healthier and more resilient region.

New mental health emergency departments across the region will provide fast, same-day specialist support for people experiencing a crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E.

Located within emergency departments and other dedicated facilities, and working closely with ambulance and police services, they will allow patients to connect to the right ongoing care, whether that's inpatient treatment, support at home or community services.

South West regional director of nursing Jill Crook said: “Too many people in the South West are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for far too long to get the help they need.

“These new community mental health centres will help people across the region get support earlier and closer to home, making it easier to get the right care before problems escalate.

“And when someone does need urgent help, our new mental health emergency departments will make sure they are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right setting.

“This is how we will greatly improve access to mental health services in the South West - preventing more people from reaching crisis, cutting waits for care, and building an NHS that is fit for the future.”

This is the first phase of a wider rollout set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, backed by more than £327 million funding in mental health facilities over the next four years, nationally.