PEOPLE are invited to give their views about mental health services in Hambleton and Richmondshire at two events.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from May 8 to May 14 and the two main bodies responsible for NHS mental health services in the region are providing people with the opportunity to discuss adult and older peoples’ mental health services.

NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) will be at the Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton on Wednesday, May 10 and at Richmond Town Hall on Thursday, May 11 from 4pm until 6pm on both days.

Inpatient services for adults and older people are provided by TEWV from two wards in the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and the trust also provides a range of community mental health services.

The CCG says feedback they have received so far indicates most people would prefer to be supported at home or in their community. Before moving to a formal consultation, the NHS is now asking for people’s views on how this can be achieved for mental health patients and how they can improve the standard of care for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

They also want to know what they can do to reduce the need for hospital admission and to keep the length of stay in a hospital setting to a minimum.

A public consultation on options for improving mental health services for adults and older people is due to start in July.

The CCG and TEWV will use feedback from service users, carers and the general public to help develop these options.