Share Your Experience – On our community mental health services

We wish to understand more about your overall experience of our community mental health services. This allows us to provide recommendations for the development of a programme to deliver better experiences to residents of mid and south Essex.

We encourage anyone who has experienced community mental health service, to please complete this survey.

Data security

Your data is protected under General Data Protection Guidelines. Further information on our Privacy Statement can be found online at Privacy - Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ics.nhs.uk)

Thank you for taking the time to support this survey.

This survey will stay open until 14th January 2025

0% answered

Have you or someone you care for accessed any of the following community mental health services in the past 12 months (select as many as relevant)

NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT)

Recovery College

Healthy Minds (Previously known as Wellbeing Hubs, Happy Hubs, 18-25s, and Positive Pathways services)

Depression Wellbeing Calls (Previously known as GP Depression & Wellbeing Calls)

Individual Placement & Support (IPS)

Mental Health Practitioners in GP Practices

Physical Health Checks for Severe Mental Illness (SMI)

Other (please specify)

I’m not sure / I don’t know

What has been your experience of the services you have used?

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Extremely Poor

Other (please specify)

How did you first learn about the services you used?

Family /Friend

Online (e.g. Google)

Social Media

GP Practice

Other health professional

Flyer / Billboard / Pamphlet

Other (please specify)

Were you given clear and accessible information about the service?

Select option

What are the biggest barriers when accessing community mental health services?

Accessibility Barriers – e.g. long waiting times, limited-service hours, geographical barriers

Awareness and Information Gaps – e.g. lack of awareness of the service, complex referral processes, inconsistent information

Digital Exclusion

Poor website navigation

Stigma and Social Barriers – e.g. fear of judgement, cultural sensitivity

Service Limitations – e.g. lack of specialist support

Limited outreach

Other (please specify)

How can we make it easier for people to access community mental health services, particularly those who might not seek help on their own?

Simple referral forms

Helplines and websites to provide clear step-by-step instructions

Single point of contact for guidance and follow-ups

Multilingual resources for diverse communities

Mental health workshops and drop-in sessions in informal settings (e.g. libraries, community centres)

Evening and weekend appointments

In-person, telephone, and video sessions to suit different comfort levels

Develop culturally sensitive materials addressing unique mental health challenges

Other (please specify)

What information should be included in patient-facing materials to ensure people understand what to expect

What the service provides – e.g., group support or self-help tools

Who it is for – eligibility criteria

How it works – a step-by-step outline of the process from referral to treatment

What happens after referral – details on initial contact and assessment

Include contact details and a simple step-by-step guide

List available locations and times

What to expect during support sessions

Confidentiality and data protection

Practical support available – support outside of sessions

Attendance expectations

How to reach the service team

Other (please specify)

Which of the following would make your experience of the service a positive one? (Select all that apply)

A strong, trusting bond between client and staff

Personalised Treatment – sessions tailored to the individual’s needs, preferences and goals

Clear Goals and Expectations – Defining realistic and achievable objectives helps track progress and maintain motivation

Empathy and Active Listening – Staff who actively listen, validate emotions, and demonstrate understanding

Confidentiality and Trust – Knowing that sessions are private and secure

Consistent Support and Encouragement – Regular feedback and reinforcement

Evidence-Based techniques

Other (please specify)

What types of support or resources have been most helpful in managing your mental wellbeing?

Professional Mental Health Support

Peer and Community Support

Workplace and Educational Support

Lifestyle and Self-Care Strategies

Digital and Online Resources

Other (please specify)

10.

What types of support formats do you prefer and find most beneficial?

One-to-one online

One-to-one Face-to-face

Group sessions online

Group sessions Face-to-face

Other (please specify)

11.

If you could change one thing about the services you have accessed what would it be?

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

12.

Is there anything else you would like to share that will help us develop our community mental health services that better meet patient’s needs?

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000