CREATE Swansea provides mental health services through an alliance of mental health day service providers in the Swansea area who offer help and support for people who suffer severe mental health disabilities or illness.

This is achieved through developing the skills and abilities of day service users. Through rehabilitation, education and training in the community CREATE aims to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness.

CREATE members have signed-up to this Joint Service Philosophy statement:

"CREATE is a joint working partnership involving statutory and voluntary services, committed to providing access to quality services, tailored to meet the needs of individual mental health service users."

Referrals for mental health day services in Swansea are made through CREATE, providing a "one-stop shop" for all referrals and assessements for day services.

Information on the full range of services is provided to everyone at an initial screening assessment. Emphasis is placed on creating service packages that meet individual client need. These packages regularly involve more than one service and the individual's programme will evolve as their need changes. Crucially, service users can try a range of services and choose those services they feel most comfortable with and or best meet their needs.

Access to talking therapies and less reliance on drugs

 

Despite a large increase in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) doctors are still pushing drugs at patients, according to Dr Jennifer Wild, a senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry. read more

The myth of the chemical cure

 

It is frequently overlooked that drugs used in psychiatry are psychoactive drugs, like alcohol and cannabis. read more

One in four people aged 100 show clear signs of depression

 

Fewer than a third of these had been officially diagnosed by a GP. Age Concern painted a similar picture, with its figures showing two million UK pensioners affected by depression. read more

Over-use of pills and poor mental health services are failing the public

 

Britain is a "Prozac Nation" facing a crisis in mental health care, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will warns. read more

Depression leads to worst health

 

"While treatments for most physical health problems are readily accessible, mental health treatments such as talking therapies are limited, with some patients waiting months or even years for their first appointment with a therapist." read more

Huge rise in prescriptions to under-16s for depression and mental health disorders

 

The number of prescriptions handed out to children under 16 for depression and mental health disorders has quadrupled in a decade. read more

Mental health bill 'concessions'

 

Ministers have made some concessions to campaigners over the planned changes to mental heath laws. read more

Mental illness is now the second largest reason for UK workers taking time off

 

A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found an increasing amount of sickness leave is due to depression or stress. read more

Detaining People Under The Mental Health Bill

 

Controversial plans to allow mentally ill people to be detained against their will, even if they have not committed a crime, are due to be discussed by MPs. read more

Mental health overhaul demanded

 

Radical changes should be made to mental health services in England over the next decade, leading health and social care groups have said. read more

Demand for NHS 'therapy network'

 

'Talking therapies' can help people cope with depression. It is estimated that about one in four of us experience mental illness in our lifetimes. There is strong evidence that many patients could be helped by psychological therapy. read more