ANOTHER consultation on changes to health services has been launched – this time focusing on mental health.

After a “comprehensive two-year process of engagement with service users, families, carers, staff and members of the public” Hywel Dda Health Board is holding a consultation into changes to adult mental health services which could see a central assessment unit in Carmarthen and central treatment unit in Llanelli.

Pembrokeshire would potentially be left with a Community Mental Health Centre (CMHCs) with four “crisis and recovery beds” to provide “a wide range of support for people and their families, including: emergency assistance in crisis situations, outpatient services, therapies, treatment and support, crisis and recovery beds, and daytime hospitality.”

The Health Board says it cannot sustain services as they are currently run.

The proposal being considered would create a single 'direct' point of contact, for people to seek advice or make a referral into adult mental health services.

“It will be free to use, open 24/7 and people will be able to get in touch in a variety of ways.

"It will be run by a group of highly skilled staff who will provide sensitive and specialist mental health screening before guiding people to the right place for their individual needs,” adds a consultation document.

It also refers to concerns regarding transport, which many in Pembrokeshire may raise as an issue.

“We realise that basing the Central Assessment Unit in Carmarthen will mean longer journeys for people living in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion who need formal inpatient assessments," it says.

"However, our Community Mental Health Centres will provide better access to services, and as a result we anticipate that people will be less likely to need to travel to use the central units under this new model.

"We will also look for ways to manage extra travel for families and service users by working with the voluntary sector, as well as investigating the best use of technology to support our proposed model,” it states.

The full consultation documents can be found here and an 'easy read' version is here.

You can also visit the health board's website or Facebook page.

If you would prefer to talk about the proposals and give your views in person, the health board is also holding three workshop events.

The nearest one will be at Crundale Hall, near Haverfordwest, on July 19. For details, and to book to attend, click here.

According to charity Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in the next year.

Don't miss out on the chance to help shape services that could help you, or someone you love, in the future.

The closing date for responses is September 15.

UPDATE: A meeting will also be held at Letterston Memorial Hall on Thursday, July 6, between 2pm and 4pm.