Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has praised a mobile outreach service providing vital mental health support to individuals and families across Denbighshire - particularly those in rural areas.
James recently met DORIS, Vale of Clwyd Mind’s mobile outreach vehicle, which has become well known at many rural locations and various events in rural Denbighshire and Conwy.
James visited the vehicle in St Asaph and heard how it has been reaching parts of Denbighshire and Conwy that other services are unable to.
DORIS, which stands for Denbighshire Outreach Rural Information Service, works in partnership with other health and social care organisations and James was told it has been a fabulous stigma-busting tool.
He said:
“DORIS is proving extremely successful at engaging with traditionally “hard to reach” groups in rural communities.
“The vehicle is well-known not only in Denbighshire and Conwy, but throughout England and Wales and is seen as the only project which actually reaches rural communities.
“Throughout the summer DORIS will be at almost every show or event that takes place within Vale of Clwyd MIND’s catchment area.
“During my visit, we discussed the sad fact that there is a problem around suicide, particularly among men in our farming communities and also around self harm, eating disorders and stress and depression among our young people.
“Vale of Clwyd Mind exists to both prevent mental health problems and to support people who do develop them.
“However, many of those with mental health issues are afraid to seek help because of the stigma which remains around mental health.
“The DORIS team of volunteers, who are all trained, help to tackle this because they visit farmers’ markets and rural areas to reach farming communities, visit schools to reach young people, and attend summer shows. This helps not only local residents, but also holidaymakers. They generally make it easier for people to talk about the difficult issues around mental wellness.
“They are doing tremendous work, referring people to professional support, and offering hope to those who feel hopeless. I would like to thank them all, they really are helping to save lives.”
For further information about DORIS and other services provided by Vale of Clwyd MIND, visit www.valeofclwydmind.co.uk
