Helping people to help each other in mental health crisis in Doncaster

A group encouraging people come together to help conquer their mental health crises has been celebrating its success at an open day in Doncaster.
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The People Focused Group based in Intake welcomed health professionals, volunteers and members to celebrate its ‘alternative crisis’ service which has been offering peer support to people with mental health issues since 2019.

Alongside any clinical services people are accessing for their condition, the PFG alternative crisis service brings people together to talk through their issues, helping them to build

confidence, self-esteem and overcome their problems.

Joe Hepworth, PFG, and Trevor Williams, RDaSHJoe Hepworth, PFG, and Trevor Williams, RDaSH
Joe Hepworth, PFG, and Trevor Williams, RDaSH
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The service, supported by the Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, provides a light at the end of the tunnel for many.

Joe Hepworth is great example of how the alternative crisis service can help.

After joining to seek help with his own mental health crisis, Joe was soon encouraged to volunteer himself as a peer supporter and is now a full-time paid member of the team.

He said: “Thanks to the encouragement I received from everyone at PFG I started to gain confidence and self-worth and being able to connect with patients coming through the crisis service and talk about our shared experiences is what keeps me here.”

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The variety of services offered by PFG can be found here People Focused Group (PFG Doncaster) https://peoplefocused.org.uk/

Other sources of support and advice include:

NHS 111 – visit online or call to speak to someone

 Your local pharmacist

 Same Day Health Centre which is open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week

 GP out of hours service

 NHS Health at home – useful information on how to easily access NHS services online, from the comfort of your home.

You can find out how to contact your GP, order repeat prescriptions and manage your wellbeing and existing conditions – without leaving your home.

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Online resources: NHS Every Mind Matters: Coping with loneliness; MIND: Tips to manage loneliness; Samaritans: Talk to us; Rethink: local support groups.

NHS Doncaster CCG has recently commissioned Kooth to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week digital mental health support to young people and young adults aged 11 to 25.

It is available immediately via www.kooth.com.

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