MENTAL HEALTH: The Foyer Federation invests in support staff
Dan Williamson
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Foyer is to recruit five qualified mental health professionals who will visit its national network of centres to address mental health issues with Foyer staff and residents aged 16 to 25.
Set to be recruited by April, two professionals will be appointed to cover Foyer operations in Southwest England, one will target the Northeast, one the Northwest and the final member will focus on the East Midlands.
These staff will then work with local Foyer staff to assess young people's needs and ensure they can access appropriate local mental health services.
Staff will also aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by engaging a potential 600 Foyer residents in debates using appropriate language and new ideas.
The programme, called Strong Minded, has been funded by the Sainsbury family's charitable trust, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.
Helen Old, health programme manager at the Foyer Federation, said: "Foyers have training, employment and housing experts, but this is about recognising the needs of homeless young people who have a lack of self-worth. This will help build their confidence and mental health. There is no point in sending people out if they have not got control of their lives."
The Foyer Federation also hopes that a research paper monitoring the programme will alert the Government to the need for improved mental health services. Running for three years, the research is to be carried out by a yet-to-be-named university.
Old continued: "This research will look at Foyer's young people, their needs and how they access local services, as NHS mental support services can be hard to access."