THURROCk MP Jen Craft has welcomed news that the government has committed funds to improve mental health care in the borough.

People struggling with their mental health in Thurrock will soon be able to get help earlier, with a new NHS mental health facility opening at Thurrock Community Hospital under plans announced by the Labour Government today (Thursday, 6 August).

The site will provide walk-in support, with no GP referral needed.

Mental health and specialist teams will be brought together under one roof – working alongside GPs, Thurrock Council, the voluntary sector and families, with direct links into housing and employment services.

Mrs Craft welcomed the announcement, having campaigned for more community mental health support in the borough. The MP, who has previously spoken about her own experiences of serious mental illness, said the facility is an "important step toward ensuring people struggling with their mental health get the right support, before they reach crisis point".

The centre at Thurrock Community Hospital will be part of a network of 159 facilities opening across England, backed by £343 million of funding.

Today's announcement forms part of the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy, which will look beyond the NHS to the role of schools, employers, local government and the voluntary sector in supporting good mental health.

Mrs Craft added: "From my own experiences of serious mental illness, I know how difficult it can be to access compassionate mental health care, with many people suffering in silence.

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"Having campaigned for better community mental health support, I'm delighted this Labour Government has listened and delivered.

"This new site in Thurrock is an important step toward ensuring people struggling with their mental health get the right support, before they reach crisis point."