Access Community Mental Health is a dedicated team of Bath Mind staff that help individuals to access the right mental health support for them. We had a chat with Katie, who manages the team, to find out a bit more about what the service provides and who it supports.

Can you tell us about the Access Community Mental Health (ACMH) service?

The Access Community Mental Health service offers a ‘walk alongside’ approach, providing support to those accessing the service whilst they are also receiving adjacent support from other providers and services. The service provides an accessible, direct and flexible mental health and wellbeing support with a focus on prevention, intervention, postvention and complementary support, based on the person’s individual needs. A team of skilled practitioners support each person to identify their support needs, set goals and engage with local services and groups to achieve these goals.

Why is ACMH an important service?

We offer a person-centred approach which is truly orientated towards the promotion and maximisation of the person’s health, wellbeing and independence. This ensures people stop ‘bouncing around the mental health system’ and support people to get the right help at the right time.

We are a new service and are part of an important change in the way mental health support is offered in the community by integration of care and support across ‘secondary’ mental health services, the Voluntary & Community Services, primary care and social care.

What sorts of challenges do your clients face?

Clients face a wide variety of mental and physical health challenges which can directly impact on their ability to access the support they need. By offering support that is tailored to the individual’s needs, these challenges are not a barrier to them succeeding.

What are some of the successful outcomes you see from clients after they’ve utilised ACMH?

People achieving small meaningful goals which boasts their confidence to do more and take steps on their own, and people engaging with other services which they previously struggled to access but will really help them – such as Citizens Advice, DHI and Bath Mind’s wellbeing groups.

What’s your favourite thing about the Access service?

The team! We have an amazing team of practitioners who are passionate about supporting people and each other, which makes them a joy to work with. 

Thank you Katie for telling us all about Access Community Mental Health!  Find out more about the service, including how to self-refer, here.