CYPE(6)-23-22 – Paper to note 9

Responses from Hywel Dda University Health Board to the unasked questions at the meeting on 19 October

4. Interactions between healthcare and education providers

4.1 We have heard concerns that students do not understand the different roles that education and health providers have with regard to student mental health. How useful and realistic would it be to have a consistent threshold or guidelines on where the responsibility of healthcare providers begins with regard to mental health conditions?

The NHS 111 Option 2 should help reduce the  barriers of accessing mental health services and make it far easier to self refer . Reducing the stigma associated with mental health services is crucial and important to faciliate improvement. Having strong links between NHS Services and Education is crucial

4.2 What are the barriers to effective information sharing between education and health providers in terms of student mental health, and how could these be addressed?

Confidentilaity

Stigma

4.3 What is your view of the suggestion to pilot an NHS student passport, to overcome difficulties with data sharing? Is this realistic? To what extent could such a pilot mitigate difficulties in continuity of care, particularly for students who frequently move between university and home addresses?

Professional experience using the SCAMHS TO AMS Transition passport reveals that young people did not like the passport as it was a written document – a digital passport may be more favourable

4.4 How could initiatives such as the Mental Health University Liaison Service (MHULS) in Cardiff provide a model for improved working between healthcare and education providers? Are there any limitations to that model, particularly with regard to non-campus-based and distance learners?

A great initiative and should be extended across Wales ,link workers from health linking in with campus staff , collocated services may all improve the interface and take up of support

5. Challenges in accessing mental health services

5.1 [To Health Board representatives] How confident are you that primary and secondary care services in Wales are meeting the needs of the higher education student population? What more, if anything, could you be doing to deliver a comprehensive service to this population?

The introduction of the NHS 111 option 2 will improve accessibility , increased awareness of mental health will reduce stigma and of course increased workforce to support vulnerable students will be essential

5.2 What is your view on the potential benefits of a transition service for young people aged 16 to 25, to serve as a bridge between CAMHS and adult mental health services? How could such a service be implemented, and are there other solutions that you would propose to support young people moving from CAMHS to adult mental health services?

This has been discussed much over the years , the reality is that current services are operationally , financially  and strategically configured for separate age range and this poses major challenges to separate the middle area. There are some good models to be explored further im sure which may help progress further discussions .

5.3 What is your view on evidence from the NUS that the next iteration of the Welsh Government’s Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan should “have more of a focus on supporting students in higher education”? How do you think this could most usefully be incorporated?

The role of Independent  Placement Support ( IPS)   is already well established within some Employment centres and also  within Early Intervention for Psychosis Services in Wales in some HB and  employ staff  to work and  support individuals with severe and enduring mental health disorders  obtain employment or education to improve their lives and obtain qualifications etc   , they also support Employers with this too e

5.4 Are there any other recommendations that you would make to Welsh Government to improve mental health support for students in higher education?

Full Research Report: Holton, D., Lloyd-Jones, S., Bowen, R.; (2020). Evaluation of the CAMHS In-Reach Pilot Programme: Pilot progress and the Impact of Covid 19, supplementary paper to the Interim Report. Cardiff: Welsh Government, GSR report number 46/2020

Available at: https://gov.wales/evaluation-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-service-camhs-reach-pilot-programme-interim-report