Man feels failed by community mental health teams

The family of a man battling depression has criticised the mental health support available in Cornwall as "inconsistent" and "unreliable".

James Pitt, 26, from Bude, has attempted to end his life a number of times after struggling with anxiety for many years.

Mr Pitt, who was referred to the Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), said he was desperate for help but did not get it.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) apologised and said there was now a plan in place for his future support.

Mr Pitt worked as an administrator with the NHS and was living independently in his own flat.

He had a history of mental health concerns and he said his anxiety reached a peak in June 2023.

"I'd come home from work, and I'd have to eat and then sleep immediately, at like 17:00 until 07:00," he said.

"Then I'd get up, and it was repeat, repeat.

"Eventually I started getting anxiety attacks about really weird things, that I'd never had before.

"It got worse. It exploded in my face one day and I had to go home to my parents, and said I couldn't do this anymore".

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Mr Pitt's family praised Cornwall's mental health crisis team, who helped him after he made a number of attempts on his life.

They said he was then referred to the CMHT.

The family said he was initially assigned a case worker who made regular visits to the family home where he was now living.

However, they said the visits suddenly ended and he was left without support and no information on when it would resume.

The family said Mr Pitt had not had any support from the service for nearly a month.

Mr Pitt said: "One of the first things my care coordinator said to me was: 'I understand you have a diagnosis of autism, so continuity is very important to you'.

"And I thought: 'Yes, finally, I'll have some regular routine; support'.

"Of course, that's not happening. That didn't happen."

His mother Karen Pitt said the family now feels it has run out of options with no service to turn to.

"Consistency is what James needs, and every time he doesn't get it, it does more damage," she said.

The Pitt family hopes by speaking publicly about their situation things will improve for their son and others.

Mrs Pitt said: "What else can we do for my son and others?

"It's a joke... there's no support there. It's frightening."

The CPFT said the service had experienced disruption from staff sickness and absence.

"We know many patients benefit from having a lead healthcare professional. This was always the case for James," the trust said.

"However, difficulties arose following staff sickness and absence.

"Recognising this, the Community Mental Health Team has put in place a plan for James’ future support from the trust.

"His lead healthcare professional is also talking to partner agencies to coordinate additional support for him and his family."

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