Increase in people needing mental health help

More people were using NHS mental health services in Northumberland during the summer than at the same point last year, new figures show.

NHS Digital figures show around 8,460 people were in contact with mental health services in the NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group area at the end of July – an increase on the 8,365 in June and 7,465 at the same point last year.

The majority – 4,690 (55%) – of those in contact with mental health services in the area were adults.

There were also 2,530 children using mental health services and 1,475 people in contact with learning disabilities and autism services.

Nationally, 1.4 million people were in contact with mental health services at the end of July – nine per cent up on the same month a year before.

Leila Reyburn, policy and campaigns manager at mental health charity Mind, said: "These figures demonstrate just how many are struggling with their mental health as we emerge from the pandemic.