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A new ‘crisis café’ could be launched to provide a safe space where people can attend if they urgently need out-of-hours wellbeing support, the Mental Health Director has revealed.
Andy Weir said such an initiative could provide an alternative to the Emergency Department, which he described as "not the right place" for those without physical health needs.
The Director said: "For some people, having somewhere to physically go and receive support feels like it's important."
The announcement comes as the Mental Health Service has been taking steps to manage the demand previously covered by the Jersey Recovery College.
The charity, which closed its doors last month, provided peer-led and recovery-focused support to thousands of islanders.
Pictured: Jersey Recovery College installed 1,000 paper cranes in the library in St Helier in 2022 to raise awareness of mental health issues, with the charity providing free mental health education and support to over 3,000 islanders since 2017. (Rob Currie)
Mr Weir added that the Mental Health Service has recruited six peer support workers with personal experience in accessing support.
These workers will lead new recovery-focused support groups, Mr Weir explained, which are expected to launch before the end of the year.
He explained that these workers will be "pivotal" in helping the service continue supporting islanders through mental health education and recovery initiatives.
"That's a really good step forward for Mental Health Service," Mr Weir said.
Pictured: Mental health director Andy Weir.
"I'm really pleased with it. I've spent some time with them this week, and they're a great bunch of people."
Mr Weir suggested that the new recovery-focused peer-support groups could potentially be combined with the idea of the crisis cafe.
"We're working it through with a small group of people, including representation from those peer workers, thinking about how we can best do this," he explained.
Anyone affected by any of the issues raised in this article or our World Suicide Prevention Day coverage can seek help from the following services:
Focus on Mental Illness: telephone 07797 710900 or email info@focusmi.org
The Listening Lounge (by appointment only): call 01534 866793
MIND Jersey: call 07829 933929, or access the drop-in service on Seale Street (Monday-Friday from 09:00-16:00)
The Samaritans: call 01534 116123
Adult Mental Health Crisis Line (open 24/7 for emergencies): call 01534 445290
Liberate: seek help via its online application form
Man Club: email jersey@man-club.org
'Place of safety' opens for islanders experiencing mental health crises
Financial pressures force Jersey Recovery College to close
Health service to pick up demand from folded mental health charity
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