A 12 week consultation into adult mental health services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland draws to a close next Sunday (15 August). Hundreds of people from the local area have already had their say on the proposed improvements and those who are yet to do so are being urged to before the impending deadline passes.

Looking after our mental health and wellbeing has never been more important. Leicester Football Club, Leicestershire County Cricket, and Leicestershire & Rutland Sport (LRS) have already thrown their weight behind the consultation into plans that would transform the way adult mental health services are delivered.

Under the plans the number of crisis cafes would increase from three to 25; the Crisis Service would improve; and the Mental Health Urgent Care Hub (introduced at the beginning of the pandemic) would become permanent. Also, the hours that qualified mental health staff work with the police triage car would increase, meaning they would attend more incidents with the police.

Other changes would include an Acute Mental Health Liaison Service being developed and that there would be joined up support for vulnerable groups, such as homeless people. Lastly, more treatment and recovery services would be available close to where people live, with the creation of eight teams for adults and eight for older adults.

Gordon King, Director of Mental Health at Leicestershire Partnership Trust said: "Services are under pressure and the way we operate currently isn't fit for purpose. Under the proposals, new mental health services would be more joined up and available more locally.

"We want people to be able to access mental health services, when they need them, in the right place and in a timely manner. These proposals will help us do that, but we don't want to make changes without patients, service users and stakeholders having their say.

"It's really important that people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland tell us what they think. This isn't a tick box exercise; we will read and listen to all the feedback and use it to help shape our proposals for the better."

To find out more about the proposals, the consultation and to complete a questionnaire to share your views click here .