{"id":59511,"date":"2024-04-26T10:08:04","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T10:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/?p=59511"},"modified":"2024-04-26T10:31:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T10:31:59","slug":"doncaster-mind-set-up-mental-health-connectors-to-tackle-mental-health-crises-across-the-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2024\/04\/26\/doncaster-mind-set-up-mental-health-connectors-to-tackle-mental-health-crises-across-the-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Doncaster Mind set up mental health connectors to tackle neglected areas across the city"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The mental health charity Mind have launched drop-in sessions run by mental health connectors across Doncaster to ensure everyone has equal access to mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zain Fayed, who manages the care connector project said: \u201cThis is a system which means people can come and ask for help, without an appointment. Doncaster is so big, but we want everyone from every community to get support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe actually often find areas which are more wealthy or traditionally struggle less, get neglected when it comes to mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are community connectors in every locality of Doncaster- Central, North, East and South. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are part of the community themselves, giving them a \u2018deeper understanding\u2019 of what people in the community need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rachael Wigglesworth, mental health connector for the East said: \u201cPeople don\u2019t realise how isolating it can be for people living on the outskirts of the city. Doncaster Mind is located in the city centre, so our job is to make sure everyone in Doncaster knows we are here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOften, people can be really struggling but not know how to ask for help. It\u2019s really rewarding getting to meet members of the community, and help them get the support they need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Wigglesworth says she feels other cities would benefit from similar systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am not a trained therapist, so it\u2019s not about me diagnosing them, it\u2019s about giving them a chance to talk and see how we can help them. There are so many amazing support groups out there which people don\u2019t even know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reaction has been really positive, which I am so glad about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Fayed said: \u201cI\u2019ve definitely noticed in the last three or four years since lockdown, there has been a spotlight on mental health being a crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, I feel some places in Doncaster are more onboard with that than others, and there are still people who are hesitant to get help because of the stigma.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doncaster Mind is a charity, and relies on donations and government funding to continue their work. Mrs Wigglesworth said Doncaster council are \u2018really good\u2019 at prioritising mental health funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mind runs a range of support groups, CBT therapy, over the phone counselling and can point you in the direction of a range of other support networks available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You don't need to have a diagnosed mental health difficulty to access our free mental health support
Visit: https:\/\/t.co\/Qjaxr0yVHd<\/a> or call 01302 812190 today to start now#DoncasterMind<\/a> #FreeMentalHealth<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VnU5yOvzDM<\/a><\/p>— Doncaster Mind (@DoncasterMind) March 20, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>