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Strategic Direction The strategic direction, which is being adopted locally, is described in National Priorities Guidance 1999/00-2001/02: To improve the mental health of the population, and improve treatment and care of those with mental health problems through the provision of a comprehensive range of high quality, effective and responsive services. Target Mental health problems are a major cause of illness. It is an area where there is considerable scope for improvement and 'Our Healthier Nation' has identified this as a priority and set a target which has been adopted as a local target. To reduce the death rate from suicides and undetermined injury by at least a further sixth (17%) by 2010 from a baseline of 1996 The Director of Public Health's Annual Report shows that the number of deaths from suicide and undetermined causes is small, averaging about 40 a year in Doncaster. Although ranked 10/11 in Trent and 78/100 in England, the small numbers mean it is subject to chance variation from year to year. Suicide is known to be associated with a number of factors including unemployment and with both mental and physical illness, especially terminal illness or painful or debilitating illness. Both unemployment and limiting long-term illness is higher in Doncaster than in England and there is significant variation between wards. While suicide is a relatively rare event, mental health problems are one of the main causes of ill health and disability. Current initiatives include the establishment of area based community mental health teams, improved crisis support and out of hours services, the establishment of a psychiatric liaison services, information, users and carers, improved elderly mental health services and adult rehabilitation services. Future developments will focus on ensuring the provision of secure, residential, in-patient and community services to enable people with mental illness, including older people, to receive effective care and treatment in the most appropriate setting according to their needs, promoting mental health and prevention of mental illness; support for relatives and carers, including young carers. The National Service Framework (NSF) for adult mental health services will set national standards and define service models for health and social services. Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003 Any comments on this section should be submitted to the theme lead, Mrs. Joan Beck, Assistant Director of Social Services, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, The Council House, College Road, Doncaster. DNI 2AD Email: Joan.Beck@Doncaster.gov.uk |