A PETITION calling for a specialist mental health worker in Southend has been signed by 800 people.

Street pastor Del Thomas is calling for a dual diagnosis worker, who would support people with mental illnesses, as well as drug and alcohol addictions.

He said 16.8 per cent of Southend's population have a mental health disorder, compared to the national average of 15.6 per cent.

Mr Thomas, who is standing for the Conservative's in St Luke’s ward in May's elections, believes there is a gap in care which needs to be plugged.

He said there is currently no support for those battling mental illness and addiction.

Mr Thomas said: “Mental health is an issue which is becoming more and more prevalent and one of the huge gaps at the moment is if you have a mental health

condition and also an addiction, there is not the support.

“This means they are not getting support for their mental health leading to further issues around health, housing etc."

He said the rest of south Essex already has a dual diagnosis worker, with Southend being left behind.

The activist added: “This is not right. We call on Southend Council and the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT) to employ a dual diagnosis worker in order to plug the huge gap that is currently there and to stop people falling through the hole.

“It’s a continuous cycle where people are not getting the support they need. I have seen so many people that have fallen through the gap.

“We need to get as many signatures as possible. It’s massively important to Southend. There’s a really big gap in the Southend mental health services at the moment.

“To me it’s a no brainer. A lot of people have said they can’t believe we don’t have one in Southend.”

Mr Thomas hopes to get another 700 signatures by the time the petition is heard at a full council meeting later next month.

It will also be sent to to SEPT.

James Moyies, councillor responsible for health and adult social care, said the council is keen on introducing a dual diagnosis worker, but the cost needs to be considered.

He said: “I have asked the commissioning team to work with Public Health and the Clinical Commissioning Group to look into actually providing a dual diagnosis solution.

“In my opinion, I have looked at the evidence and it seems that it is something we should be doing if we can.

“Everything is about choices. We don’t have the money to do everything but it’s certainly something that I’m keen on.”

To sign the petition, visit change.org/p/southend-borough-council-sept-call-on-southend-to-employ-a-dual-diagnosis-worker-to-reduce-gaps-in-mental-health-service