Mental health services to expand after £2m funding

A £2m NHS investment will recruit 30 psychologists and psychological therapists to help cut mental health waiting times across Surrey and north-east Hampshire.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SAPB) said the expansion would increase its community psychology workforce by 25% to more than 150 staff.

The trust said the extra capacity would reduce waits for specialist psychological support from 31 weeks to 18 weeks while helping meet rising demand.

Chief executive Graham Wareham said: "Demand for specialist psychological support has grown as more people seek help for complex mental health problems."

He added: "People have the best chance of improving their mental health when they can access the right support early."

The trust said the expansion aimed to provide more specialist mental health support in local communities and help people access care earlier.

It added specialist psychological support could help people understand and manage their mental health and develop skills to cope with difficult experiences.

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