Mental Health Funding Cuts Spark ConcernsMental Health Funding Cuts Spark Concerns Despite concerns from mental health charities, Hampshire County Council (HCC) has approved cuts to funding for wellbeing centers. These centers provide essential support to individuals recovering from mental health issues. Solent Mind, a mental health charity, expressed its concern that the funding reduction would impact waiting lists and compromise the level of care provided. The organization emphasized the importance of these services in reducing the burden on statutory services, including childcare. HCC justified the cuts by citing a predicted £132m financial shortfall by 2025/26. The council stated that it had to make “very difficult decisions.” However, critics argue that these cuts will ultimately increase pressure on statutory services, leading to longer waiting times and reduced access to support. Ms. Sally Arscott, chief executive of Solent Mind, warned that the funding reduction would limit the provision of individualized care, raising concerns that people with complex needs “may not get the level of help they need.” She pointed to a waiting list that already exceeds 100 individuals, with wait times reaching eight to ten weeks. HCC’s executive member for adult care and public health, Liz Fairhurst, acknowledged the value of the centers and assured that none would be closed. She emphasized that the council would provide essential services “for free” and offer support through in-kind contributions, such as buildings with minimal rent. The funding cut has raised concerns about the impact on mental health services in Hampshire. Mental health advocates emphasize the need for a proactive approach and sufficient funding to address the growing demand for support.
Image caption, Marcella House in Hythe is one of 13 centres affected Article information
- Author, Natalia Forero
- Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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1 minute ago
Mental health funding in Hampshire is set to be slashed despite concerns from charities about the impact on waiting lists.
Hampshire County Council (HCC) has agreed to cut funding for wellbeing centres, which provide support to people recovering from mental health problems.
According to mental health charity Solent Mind, they provide help “in times of need”.
The council said it faced “very difficult decisions” in dealing with a predicted £132m financial shortfall by 2025/26.
The 13 centres in the Hampshire local authority area are non-clinical environments in easily accessible high street locations.
From the end of January 2025, funding will be reduced from £1,281,777 to £625,000.
Sally Arscott, chief executive of Solent Mind, said the centres provided safe spaces for emotional support, workshops, courses and activities
She said the county council should take a “proactive approach” as the services help “reduce the burden on statutory services”, particularly childcare.
The centres would not be able to continue to provide the current level of individual care, meaning people with complex needs “may not get the level of help they need”, she added.
Ms Arscott said: “As a result of the proposal, the waiting list currently stands at over 100 people who are having to wait for up to eight to 10 weeks. That will be much longer and the pressure will increase.”
Liz Fairhurst, the council’s executive member for adult care and public health, acknowledged how valuable the centres were and stressed that none would close.
“Adult health and care will provide these services for free. Even if we can’t provide all the money that people would like, we will provide in kind by doing this and providing buildings with peppercorn rent,” she said.
