FOLLOWING the Christmas and New Year celebrations it can be a struggle emotionally and financially.

Although many view the first few months of a New Year as a fresh start, for some it remains gloomy. Many feel under pressure financially and for those whose relationships are already strained it can bring about a make or break situation.

Generally, with the support of family and friends, they can make the necessary changes for the better, but for others who may not have that support and who may already be feeling lonely and isolated, it can leave them feeling further in crisis.

Bradford, a city which already offers a wide range of support services, launched its Mental Health Strategy at the Midland Hotel in the city yesterday. Kim Shutler-Jones, chief executive of The Cellar Trust, based in Shipley which has been working with the people of Bradford since the mid-1980s promoting recovery from mental health problems through a range of services including educational courses and workshops, explains the strategy lays out plans for mental health services and support for the next five years.

Already recognised nationally for its work in Crisis Care, Bradford is currently working as part of a West Yorkshire-wide plan to reduce suicide and bring about improvements.

The Crisis Care Concordat unites partners from across the district, including the NHS, local authority, police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service as well as voluntary and community sector.

As well as making improvements the partnership has also led to the development of initiatives such as Bradford District Care Trust’s First Response Service providing 24-hour support, seven days a week, to people of all ages in Bradford, Airedale or Wharfedale, who are experiencing mental health crisis.

Operated by Bradford-based MIND, Sanctuary is another service aimed at adults experiencing acute mental distress. In addition the Haven, run under the auspice of The Cellar Trust, is a safe and supportive service based in the local community for adults who are feeling in mental distress or crisis.

Yet, despite the services already available, there is still room for improvement, according to Kim: "We are getting nationally recognised for that work and other really good work but there are some areas where it has been identified where we know there is some real serious gaps," says Kim.

"It is laying out what we want the next five years to look like," explains Kim.

Mental health services can provide a lifeline for clients, particularly those in crisis or distress.

"Crisis is a very personal thing. People will define a crisis in different ways. A lot of people are feeling suicidal, may have self-harmed, we see people when they feel at their lowest," says Kim.

She says Christmas and the New Year can be particularly difficult for those who are already struggling, but help is at hand.

"Bradford is quite leading in a way in having additional support in place for people who feel like their mental health is deteriorating; they may be feeling in crisis; worried about how to stay well and we want people to reach out and use them," says Kim.

The positive feedback they receive from clients is testimony to the benefits services bring.

"Haven was particularly helpful to me at Christmas and New Year. It can be a very lonely time. When I first came, I felt distressed, upset and didn’t know how to cope. I found it very helpful, it’s having someone to talk to who understands. If someone was thinking of coming to Haven I would say ‘don’t be frightened, the staff are friendly, it’s a very calm place’" says one client.

As well as providing a listening ear, they equip clients with coping skills in a calm and supportive environment, and can also signpost them to other services if required.

However, such services need funding to survive and while welcoming the Government's commitment to increasing the profile and support of mental health, Kim is concerned it could be 'a drop in the ocean' compared to the level of need. She is also concerned about the potential impact of social care funding cuts.

Bradford's new Mental Health Strategy is certainly a positive step in planning for the future:

"It is a really fantastic strategy and very much aligns with some of the things Theresa May talks about. It needs to be properly funded so, in terms of Bradford, we have some some great ambitions, we know what needs to happen - Bradford is quite leading in some areas of mental health but we need the money to be able to deliver it."