A new mental health hub has opened in Oxford during Mental Health Awareness Week.
The Keystone Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub Oxford was opened by television presenter and comedian Matt Richardson during the national awareness event which is running from May 13 to 19.
He has personal experience with mental health conditions as he has been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Mr Richardson said: Mental health is so close to my heart because everyone’s family has had mental health issues.
I myself have got OCD and so I have accessed services like this.
I had a grandparent who was schizophrenic and when I was a child was sectioned quite often so anything that can be an intervention before that stage, like Keystone, is incredibly important.
The hub is attached to the OCA Cafe, a not-for-profit venture run by charity Oxford Community Action.
The profits of the cafe are to be spent on community events and activities like football and cycling clubs, as well as children’s activities, hiking, and camping.
Co-director of Oxford Community Action, Mujahid Hamidi, said: We’re thinking of ways to help people become more active and start to address the health inequalities that black and marginalised communities experience in the city.
People who are dealing with mental health-related issues will be able to receive help from the hub’s in-house NHS mental health professionals and peers support workers, who themselves have experienced mental health challenges.
There will also be services to help people remain in work or find employment and third-sector mental health services.
The hub is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Members of the public can drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat at anytime.
This latest facility joins the two other similar hubs in Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury, and Bury Street, Abingdon, with more to be opened in Kidlington and Wantage.
The openings follow feedback from Oxfordshire residents who said they would like to see more specialist care available via their GP surgery and improved communication between GPs and mental health services.
The hub, according to Verity Penfold, team manager for the Oxford City and North East mental health teams, makes it easier for people to reach out and talk about their wellbeing.
Ms Penfold said: We’re so excited to be able to welcome people from the community to call in and talk to us about their wellbeing.
We all experience ups and downs with our health and wellbeing.
The hub makes it convenient for people who pop in and talk to us if they want to.
