THE Rethink Mental Illness group in Crediton, which currently meets every other Thursday at Crediton Congregational Church, will be closing from tomorrow (April 1).

The sessions have brought together people who have experienced mental health issues from the Crediton area.

Rethink Mental Illness was founded more than 40 years ago to give a voice to people affected by severe mental illness and help more than 48,000 people every year through their services, support groups and by providing information on mental health problems.

A Rethink Mental Illness spokesperson said: “Devon County Council has made the decision to change the way mental health services are delivered in the local area and while we recognise the challenges they face in having to make tough decisions with a limited budget, we also know how vital it is that people have access to good quality local mental health support.

"We are working with everyone who is currently using our service – many will continue to get support when the new model starts in April, and for those who won’t, we are working with them in accessing other local support.

"This is something we are seeing right across the country.

"We know there is commitment from the Government to improve mental health care but we need to see that, together with the funding, trickle down to the frontline so that everyone can access support at the earliest possible stage.”

A spokesman for Devon County Council, which funds the service, and Devon Partnership NHS Trust, which manages the provision of mental health services, said: “Devon County Council plans to invest more than an additional £1 million in services that support vulnerable adults with mental health issues this next year.

“But we want to do it in a more targeted and focused way that supports people towards recovery and independence.

"This will enable people who have received help to manage everyday life without the need for further support.

“In addition, we plan to provide more advice and information to help individuals and their families know more about mental health services that support people who aren’t eligible for targeted packages of care.

"The decision marks a change in the way funding is given to mental health care providers who, until now, have been using Council funds to provide open-ended, drop-in support to anyone - without them needing an assessment and for any length of time.

"We are focusing more on helping the most vulnerable to recover and become more independent, but we remain as committed as ever to helping people with mental health needs - which is why we’re continuing to invest in mental health services and plan to increase the level of funding this year."

Devon Partnership NHS Trust and the Council began discussions about the change in approach with the care providers last summer.

"Since then, Community Care Trust Ltd, which also provides mental health services under contract to the Council, has adopted the new approach and has increased the number of people that it supports and is doing so in a far more personalised way."

It is hoped that a voluntary group will be set up in Crediton to support people who have experienced mental health issues to bring them together to support each other.