A way through the woods: opening pathways to mental health care for women with multiple needs

Abstract

Key principles and early findings are presented from the partnership project based in Anawim women's centre, in which a mental health nurse is seconded to the centre one day a week. These are presented in light of research relating to the mental health needs of vulnerable women. Findings Early findings suggest mental health needs are largely trauma-based and co-occurring substance misuse problems are common. The mental health nurse negotiated a pathway into secondary care with Community Mental Health Team managers but concerns continue about the ability of primary care services to meet the complex needs of these women. Principles for working with this group include: provision in a women-only space; a focus on engagement; flexibility; holistic support; and empowering women and voluntary sector staff. Research limitations Findings are based on eight months of one pilot project in which 22 women were seen. Practical implications Practical implications are outlined for commissioners and service managers of mental health care services for vulnerable women. Value Research and experience suggest that women with multiple problems can struggle to engage with traditionally structured services and fail to access the holistic support they need. This article increases understanding of this problem and suggests how these women might be better supported.

A partnership approach: supporting and empowering vulnerable women within one UK city

“…Such support is gender-specific (for women only), holistic (attempts to meet a variety of needs) and based on relational trusted support through working with the same worker (Warwick-Booth and Cross 2020). Evidence shows that women often engage with such voluntary agencies, even after periods of non-engagement with statutory services and imprisonment (Anderson, 2011). There is wide ranging expertise for women-centred approaches within the UK voluntary sector and evidence illustrating the cost-effectiveness of such work (Walby 2004;Home Office, 2014).…”

Changing Lives, Saving Lives: Women Centred Working – An Evidence-Based Model from the UK

“…Across the UK voluntary sector, women-only organisations (including women centres) provide gender-specific support and continue to advocate for policy change in relation to women's needs. Evidence shows that women often engage with voluntary agencies, even after periods of non-engagement with statutory services and imprisonment (Anderson, 2011). However, Women Centres have been criticised as unsustainable (House of Commons Justice Committee, 2013a), and as creating a postcode lottery given that they are not available in all urban localities (Goldhill, 2010).…”