Latest news with #LizAndrew
South Wales Argus
17-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Newport COG mental health support is only one of its kind
Newport council has a specialist programme to address what are termed co-occurring issues putting people at increased risk such as misusing drug or alcohol while also being mentally unwell or issues such as homelessness. But Dr Liz Andrew, a consultant clinical psychologist for Gwent's Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said the service is only funded in the city and hasn't yet been expanded to other councils, though it is being considered in Caerphilly. She was speaking at a meeting of Monmouthshire County Council's public services committee where staff from mental health charity Mind, which works across Gwent, outlined a number of barriers people in mental distress experience while trying to access support, including if they are using alcohol or other drugs. In Newport the health board funds the COG service with the city council to support people who could be those using drugs and alcohol, those who are homeless or members of staff who may have 'too much shame' to seek help otherwise, said Dr Anderew. Warning suicidal people can be denied support due to drugs or alcohol use 'We are a chubby community', locals respond after famous 'gymfluencer' slams town Cafe owner praises customers for supporting her recovery after heart attack 'Because of the way it is funded that only happens in Newport. It would be really good to reduce variation of that across the health board and Caerphilly are keen to work on that.' Statistics such as attendance at A&E, how people are signposted to other support, relapse and reconviction rates are used to evaluate its effectiveness. Dr Andrew said: 'It evaluates really well to the point they (Newport) recurringly fund it, using the housing revenue support grant to continue the funding around the homelessness support project. 'What we know is that if we reduce emergency evictions, and if we support people's mental well-being and we reduce re-traumatisation that generally people are less likely to enter a suicidal crises. It looks at those sort of factors in the evaluation.' Frances Taylor, independent councillor for Magor West, suggested the committee write to Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member to consider a similar scheme. She said it was likely most councillors would be aware of people who have been unable to access support due to substance misuse and said people will use such substances to manage discomfort. 'I certainly know of a significant number of people struggling with their mental health who perhaps turn to substances, and then active addition, and there isn't specific support available to them. It's a significant concern for me.'
South Wales Argus
16-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan helping address suicide gaps
Figures produced for Gwent's Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have shown 64 per cent of people confirmed or suspected to have died by suicide were from the white ethnic group with the remainder either not known or not recorded. But Dr Liz Andrew, consultant clinical psychologist for the NHS body, said it is hoped it will have better information about other backgrounds as a result of the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan introduced by the Welsh Government in response to the Black Lives Matter wave of global protests in 2020. Dr Andrews was briefing members of Monmouthshire County Council on the board's mental health services when Labour councillor for Chepstow Castle and Larkfield, Dale Rooke, asked why it hadn't recorded the ethnicity of the remaining 36 per cent of confirmed or suspected suicide deaths. 'Surely as a proportion of the population they are much higher,' said Cllr Rooke. The black, Asian and minority ethnic population of most Gwent boroughs is around two per cent or less, though the figure is 14.1 per cent in Newport. Dr Andrews said the board was also 'curious and a bit perturbed' at the lack of accurate information but said it could also be due it having moved to a different recording system though it is also hoped the Welsh Government's policy will help. Young mum creates documentary on vivid postpartum depression Six-year-old is cancer-free after life-changing operation 'It will be addressed by the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. I think there has been some discomfort around asking about ethnicity and these figures are from 2021 the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan is changing that and we are doing some internal training. 'I think people who have white privilege feel uncomfortable asking about that particularly when someone isn't clearly from a minority ethnic group and we are addressing that through mandatory training.' The Aneurin Bevan board also has a mental health worker in Newport, which Dr Andrews said has 'lots of refugees and asylum seekers', from a minority ethnic group who 'works in a very different way and follows what is good practice to access black and minority ethnic communities'. She gave examples of using different language and asking people to attend appointments in different settings, rather than mental health facilities, due to stigma. 'There is an uptake in well-being services in that area,' said Dr Andrews who also said the board is aware of the issue around data and said: 'I think it has improved already.'
