Change Mental Health is now offering Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) services in the Western Isles as part of the Scottish Government-funded programme’s expansion. The initiative aims to provide swift, compassionate and connected support to individuals experiencing mental distress, relieving the pressure on frontline services. 

The DBI programme, available 365 days a year, offers an ‘ask once, get help fast’ approach. Open to anyone aged 16 and over, the programme ensures that those referred receive rapid assistance and support. Key goals include helping individuals engage with and remain connected to beneficial services and support networks over time. 

The Health and Social Care Partnership and the Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership are providing local funding for the Western Isles’ DBI service. 

A connected and compassionate approach

Ian Graham, National Distress Brief Intervention Project Lead at Change Mental Health, expressed the charity’s enthusiasm about expanding the programme into the Western Isles: 

“Change Mental Health is delighted to have been awarded the contract to provide the Distress Brief Intervention programme in the Western Isles.  

“We have begun the process of working with key partners, including employing local DBI Coordinators and commencing training to open the new pathways for people to access the service. 

“The DBI programme provides a framework for creating a consistent, collaborative, connected, compassionate and effective response to people experiencing distress in Scotland.” 

Change Mental Health has been a key partner in delivering DBI in Highland since 2017, and following its success, the programme was extended to Dumfries & Galloway and Argyll & Bute. We are now entering our third year in Dumfries & Galloway and second year in Argyll & Bute, continuing to support people in distress across Scotland. 

Local leadership welcomes the initiative 

Nick Fayers, Chief Officer of the Western Isles Integrated Joint Board, spoke of the importance of DBI in improving the region’s mental health services: 

“Around one in four of us will experience a mental health issue at some point in our lives, so it’s vital that when this happens, people have access to the right treatment and support to help them recover as soon as possible.  

“Our clinicians are often the first responders to have contact with a person experiencing mental health distress. Our ambition through DBI is to connect people to the most appropriate care to meet their needs in as timely a manner as possible.” 

With the expansion to the Western Isles, we continue our commitment to delivering compassionate, community-based support for those experiencing mental health challenges, providing vital services to some of Scotland’s most rural and remote communities.