A new mental health service called Melo is set to launch tomorrow (1 April) to provide critical support to young people aged up to 25 in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Developed by the local charity ONSIDE in collaboration with young people, families, and key partners, the service is designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet the diverse needs of individuals seeking help.
Increased Demand for Mental Health Support
Ruth Heywood, Deputy Chief Executive of ONSIDE, emphasized the importance of providing such services, especially in light of the increased demand that has emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic. “There has been an increased demand for these types of services, and we’ve seen that consistently since the pandemic,” she said. The rise in awareness around emotional well-being and mental health has also contributed to the reduction in stigma, making it easier for young people to seek support.
Heywood stressed that it is crucial for the voluntary sector to work closely with health, education, and social care sectors to create a comprehensive approach to mental health care. She added, “It’s absolutely critical that we as a voluntary community sector organization work within the sector but more widely with the whole health, education, and social care sector, with a greater focus on the outcomes for those young people. But that has to really be led by young people and people surrounding those young people.”
The Melo Service: Flexible Support Options
The Melo service will offer a variety of support options, including one-on-one sessions, group activities, and online/digital support. It will be delivered in collaboration with a range of local and specialist partners, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health care for young people across the regions.
This new initiative is seen as an important step toward addressing the growing mental health needs among young people, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, and providing them with the tools and resources to improve their emotional well-being.
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