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Supporting young people with mental health problems: lessons from a voluntary sector pilot

Nigel Thomas (Based in the School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK)
David Pilgrim (Based in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, UK)
Cathy Street (Based at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK)
John Larsen (Based at Research and Evaluation, Rethink Mental Illness, London, UK)

Mental Health Review Journal

ISSN: 1361-9322

Article publication date: 23 March 2012

556

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the introduction of a voluntary sector pilot project to develop innovative mental health services for young people.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of observation, interview and group discussion with service providers and users was used to build a picture of the relationships between context, mechanism and outcome.

Findings

The project was perceived as successful and beneficial in all three pilot sites, although there were differences of perception as to whether it complemented or challenged existing statutory services.

Practical implications

Learning about what adolescents and young adults with complex mental health needs find helpful may help to develop more appropriate and acceptable services. A mental health service for young people delivered by the voluntary sector offers the opportunity for radical service innovation. Synergy may be achieved as a result of statutory and voluntary sectors working together but the ethos of the voluntary service may challenge that of the statutory services.

Originality/value

The research is original in that it examines the process of introducing an innovative voluntary sector project into an existing traditional service framework.

Keywords

Citation

Thomas, N., Pilgrim, D., Street, C. and Larsen, J. (2012), "Supporting young people with mental health problems: lessons from a voluntary sector pilot", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 14-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/13619321211231789

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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