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Between January and March 2026, people across West Kent shared 60 pieces of feedback about their experiences of mental health care. These insights, gathered through local mental health network meetings, provide a valuable snapshot of what is working well and where improvements are needed.
Positive experiences and support
Many people spoke positively about the care and support they received, particularly during times of crisis. Services such as home treatment teams were praised for providing consistent, compassionate, and hands-on support, helping people through some of their most difficult periods.
Community and wellbeing services also stood out as a vital source of support. People described how local mental health charities and groups helped them build confidence, develop new skills, and connect with others who shared similar experiences. For many, these services reduced feelings of isolation and created a sense of belonging and purpose.
Emerging concerns around medication
A key theme this quarter was mental health medication, prescriptions, and dispensing. While this had not been a major issue in previous reporting periods, it became more prominent between January and March 2026. Most feedback on this topic was negative, highlighting several ongoing challenges.
People reported difficulties managing side effects, with some feeling they were not fully supported when trying to find the right medication. Others shared concerns about limited treatment options, delays in accessing prescriptions, and inconsistent support between services. There were also examples of people feeling unheard when raising concerns about how medication was affecting them.
Some individuals described gaps in continuity of care, particularly when moving between services or trying to access medication in urgent situations. These experiences could add to stress at an already vulnerable time.
Improvements in waiting times
Encouragingly, feedback about waiting times for treatment improved during this period. Concerns about delays reduced significantly compared to 2025, suggesting that some progress has been made in improving access to services.
Ongoing challenges in care coordination
Despite these improvements, people continued to highlight issues with how services work together. Some described being passed between teams or experiencing a lack of joined-up care. Clear communication and continuity remain important areas for further development.
Moving forward
These insights highlight both the strengths and the ongoing pressures within mental health services in West Kent. While many people are benefiting from compassionate care and supportive community services, challenges around medication, communication, and coordination remain.
By listening to people’s experiences, organisations can work together to improve services, ensure more consistent support, and deliver care that meets people’s individual needs.
