'Brain in Hand' app to be trialled in Hartlepool to help people suffering mental health issues

Town leaders have agreed a 12-month pilot of the Brain in Hand software with 20 volunteers in the borough.

Those taking part will work with a specialist to draw up a support plan and strategies based on their needs which will be fed into the software, and the team behind the project have stressed human support and a responder service will be in place alongside the help offered by the app.

Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council’s adult and community based services committee heard how the application provides a professional digital support system helping people to make decisions, manage anxiety and deal with unexpected situations.

Neil Harrison, council head of safeguarding and specialist services, said the pilot combines technology and people’s support networks to help them tackle everyday tasks and challenges.

He said: “Good mental health is an asset and is also linked to good physical health, both of which support positive social and economic outcomes for individuals and society.

“Brain in Hand is for anyone whose day can be knocked off track by anxiety, unexpected events, or the need to make decisions under pressure

“It helps them establish routines, deal with unexpected events, and manage the stress and anxiety that can arise when things go off track.”

He added council officers are working with organisations to identify the 20 people who will be part of the trial of the service, and they will all receive a personalised plan tailored to their personal requirements.

Each of the 20 people will co-produce their own support plan and strategies based on their needs, goals, and skills with the help of a specialist who is always available.

The support plans and self-management tools are easily accessible via a smartphone, tablet or website which is complemented by human input.

Help can easily and discreetly be accessed when it’s needed via a trained responder service, so help is always at hand.

Cllr Sue Little, chair of the adult and community based services committee, said she hoped the application would help more people deal with mental health issues.

She added the pandemic will have impacted the mental health of a large number of people, ranging from working adults to school children.

She said: “Hopefully this is going to massively work, especially for those who need it.

“This year I think mental health has been raised so many times during the pandemic and how many people have probably suffered more, when they never thought they had mental health issues.

“I think a lot of people would be more truthful with this kind of technology than what they might be texting or telling somebody.”

Cllr Stephen Thomas, council mental health champion, said it is an excellent initiative and he looks forward to seeing the outcomes from the pilot.

Officers added if the pilot is successful there is potential to expand this approach to support an increased number of people.

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