THE story "Local people to be asked their views on improving mental health services" appeared in the Courier on Friday, September 28, issue 2009.

People in Devon are being invited to help influence the future of mental health services in the county.

Devon Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) will lead the development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy where local people are being asked for their views.

The NHS and care services are working together in the partnership to address future care and health needs for Devon.

The aim is to offer better support for people with mental ill health and once the strategy is complete it will set out how services and improvements will be delivered in coming years.

It is known that people with mental health conditions have a poorer outcome than other groups and the partnership aims to make sure that mental and physical health services are joined up.

If you would like to have your say you can complete a brief online survey at: www.devonstp.org.uk/get-involved/mental-health-and-ewellbeing-survey/ .

Do you think the new strategy will help to improve mental health services in Devon?

Please let me know your thoughts.

You can Contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email: [email protected] .What you told us ...I don't think the services are adequate. We need a lot more counsellors. I'm a local teacher and as teachers we need help to be able to help our students. The workplace also needs to be more aware. There is good access to a telephone helpline in Exeter but, I'm not sure we have one in Crediton.Local Teacher, CreditonI think the mental health services are awful. If I had a child with a broken leg I wouldn't be prepared to wait 12 weeks for treatment. The authorities say they care but we pay lip service to mental health. Hopefully things will improve.Crediton Area ResidentThere's not enough help. My mum had dementia and we had to wait six weeks before she could be seen. We had to take her to Okehampton to be seen before they could put her into a care home. There's not enough help.Crediton ResidentI don't think they have really got a lot of funding. It's sad that children have to wait so long to be seen. Some mental health staff can be helpful though.Crediton Area Resident