Scotland wide, the Distress Brief Intervention service (DBI) has now assisted more than 10,000 people in distress.
Kevin O’ Neill, Programme Manager for DBI, commented on this news at the services September Programme Board meeting, saying: “In reaching this Landmark we acknowledge that it is an incredible achievement for our front-line and third sector staff and their commitment to the people and communities we serve across Scotland. And indeed, enables them to see the very real difference they are making to people’s lives day in and day out, prior to and during the current unprecedented times.
“However, in reaching this milestone, we continue to be highly sensitive to the fact that this achievement has been reached whilst helping people experiencing distress.
“It is this sensitivity to those in distress that inspires us all to work and grow together to improve the outcomes and experiences of people, often when they need help most.”
Over the last three years, with Scottish Governments support, the vision, collaborative culture and programme infrastructure has enabled the programme to expand and include young people aged between 16 and 17 years. As well as the establishment of an associate programme for other regions of Scotland to benefit from the learning, knowledge, infrastructure and tools that the programme had developed.
On the 14th April 2020, the First Minister announced the expansion and development of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme into a nationwide response for people presenting in distress to the Mental Health HUB at NHS24 during the COVID 19 pandemic period. The programme was further extended on 1st September as part of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2020/2021, when the First Minister announced that the Distress Brief Intervention Programme would be further extended across Scotland, for a transition period through to 2024 and thereafter is expected to be fully embedded by NHS Boards across Scotland..
