DN535923 Covid-19 Response for Mental Health Support

Tender description

This dispensation is requested to allow the continued funding of the Liverpool Samaritan Support Service set up to support the low level mental health needs of Liverpool City Council staff and their clients initially established for the period November 23rd 2020 - March 31st 2021. A copy of the SLA established to drive the work is attached for reference. Public Health has now received confirmation of funds that will allow the current SLA to be continued beyond it current expiry date for a further period up to March 31st 2022. Rapid access to trusted mental health support is currently more vital than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic is not only exacerbating the poor mental health of those already experiencing difficulties but is also triggering new mental health issues in people who have never previously experienced a mental health problem. Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust (the largest Provider of mental health care in Liverpool) estimate a 31% increase in demand for mental health support over the next 2 years Anxiety, depression, stress and PTSD are likely to be the most frequently presenting issues by some margin. The Samaritan investment provides immediate additional resource via a mental health support offer (including a unique 24 hour Call back service, mental health training package, suicide response and volunteer development package) to provide a non-clinical, rapid, anonymised gateway to support for groups of people (including Liverpool CC staff) who have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The Samaritan offer has already been universally well received by LCC staff and their clients and requests have been submitted (ie the Liverpool Business and Academic Sectors) for an extended roll out of the offer to their colleagues/partners who have been significantly impacted by the virus over the past 12 months There are a number of key points that uniquely place the Samaritans to deliver this support. 1. Samaritans are a long established, trusted organisation who are equipped with resource to support this need and provide a rapid 24 hour support offer to Liverpool. 2. Their online referral form and protocols are already embedded in Liverpool. 3. The training offer (already targeted at Care Line and Customer Access Teams) is ready for roll out across further LCC teams 4. The service is in situ and is ready and able to seamlessly transition into the 2021/22.