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Sign petition to improve mental health services in Deal High Street today

Campaigners working towards improved mental health services in Deal will be collecting signatures in the High Street today (Saturday).

For five years Tracy Carr, of Langton Close, Deal, has been running Talk It Out, a self-funded support group for people with mental illness and depression.

With a rise in the number of people in crisis and a lack of support from those in authority, the former mayoress is now taking matters into her own hands with a petition to the government.

Mental health campaigner Tracy Carr will be in Deal High Street with a petition for better mental health care, today.
Mental health campaigner Tracy Carr will be in Deal High Street with a petition for better mental health care, today.

She said: “Crisis is in a crisis of its own. Improved services are needed in Deal and surrounding areas, and indeed across the country.

“We need to see a working and competent crisis service, community mental health support and improved aftercare.”

Mrs Carr has previously spoken out about the shocking lack of provision for people with mental health issues. She told the Mercury in May last year that she felt her support group was doing the job of the health services because of a lack of resources in Kent.

She and her members then started raising funds for a wellbeing cafe at The Landmark Centre. They bared all and created a naked calendar, raising £2,000 towards the £6,500 needed for the first year.

They were then hit with a setback in November when a grant application was rejected.

Mrs Carr said: “Deal is in total meltdown. It’s got a severe problem, but anything we want, we’ve got to achieve it ourselves.

“People who are feeling suicidal are asking for help but no one can come out to them.

“I know what it’s like to live with anxiety and depression and I’m passionate about changing this.”

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke denies any wrongdoing
Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke denies any wrongdoing

Mrs Carr and her friends will be outside The Landmark Centre, Marks & Spencer and Divas Boutique from 10.30am on Saturday.

She said: “Please come and support us. You never know when you may need help yourself.

“We need 100,000 signatures to be heard in Parliament.”

Campaigners will be visiting nearby towns with the
petition over the next couple of months.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “For too long, east Kent mental health services have been very poor.

“In particular, the level of support for children and teenagers has been unacceptable.

“That’s why the Prime Minister is absolutely right to focus on making real improvements.

“I’ve been working closely with Tracy Carr and her inspirational group, Talk It Out. Tracy is right to demand better support in Dover and Deal and I back her petition.

“We must all play our part in helping those who suffer from mental health problems.”

The petition is also available to sign at the East Kent Mercury office in Queen Street, Deal

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