BREAKING down the stigma surrounding mental health is a key aim of social services as it embarks on an exciting period of change.

New managers for Runcorn, Graham Nolan and in Widnes, Terry Corry, want to educate young people about the reality of mental health issues.

Terry said: "The biggest thing people want is the opportunity to develop like anybody else and not be denied the opportunity because they have mental health problems."

He said one in nine men and one in seven women will suffer mental health problems at some point in their lives.

Both Terry and Graham have a wealth of experience to call on in their new roles.

Graham has 25 years' experience of social and mental health work, while Terry has moved through social care and drugs and alcohol work, including working at the secure Ashworth Hospital in Liverpool.

Graham said: "It's very enjoyable working in mental health care, you never know what to expect from one day to the next.

"It's very challenging but the other side to it is it can be very stressful, you are dealing with life and death situations."

Terry said: "I'm very keen about working in Halton, I have worked in a number of places around the country and I think Halton has got a very good culture in its mental health services.

"There's a lot of exciting developments taking place and I'm very impressed by the commitment and professionalism that's around."

Halton Council's social services department went up 101 places in the Government league tables in one year to 11th out of 132 local authorities.

investment

A disappointing audit commission report provoked a reorganisation of management and millions of pounds worth of investment.

Terry and Graham are working with charity Imagine to build two and a three bedroom accommodation in Widnes and working with CDS and Making Space on a nine bedroom unit at the bottom of Grangeway in Runcorn.

Another recent development is the creation of community mental health teams that bring together consultants, nurses, therapists and other care professionals.

Graham said: "I think the users of the services could be very confused before. They did not know who to go to for help with their problem.

"We have now got one port of call. I don't think we can underestimate the problems of communication."

Inquiries into problems in mental health care in the past have highlighted lack of communication.

Other developments include the Early Intervention Service, which intervenes after an initial psychotic episode to prevent the problem remaining untreated and a drive to train people who care for mentally ill friends and relatives.

The service is also concentrating on putting patients and carers at the heart of their planning.

Terry said: "It's the sense of ownership that the community needs. I think if you went back 10 years this didn't happen at all but now the users and carers are involved in all stages of panning.

"There's a determined push for people to have choice in social care."