Issue - meetings

Background/Context

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020.

Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone.

People with a severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK.

There is often a circular relationship between mental health and issues such as housing, employment, family problems or debt.

As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety, planning, and all other services provided by this council for children, families and adults recognising that mental health can affect people across all age groups.

All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

Motion

This Council resolves

·         To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds.

·         To commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council.

·         To seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

·         To review the Councils progress with regards to meeting ‘The Challenge’ which will include a report to Council every six months.

·         To support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·         To work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·         To work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs.

·         To tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·         To proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

Proposed: Cllr Henry Wheeler

Seconded Cllr Roxanne Ellis

Councillor Wheeler, seconded by Councillor Roxanne Ellis, proposed a motion in the following terms:

“That this Council resolve:

·         To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds.

·         To commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council.

·         To seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

·         To review the Councils progress with regards to meeting ‘The Challenge’ which will include a report to Council every six months.

·         To support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·         To work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·         To work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs.

·         To tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·         To proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.”

RESOLVED to:

1.    Sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds;

2.    Commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the Council;

3.    Seek to identify a member of staff within the Council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health;

4.    Review the Council’s progress with regards to meeting ‘The Challenge’ which will include a report to Council every six months;

5.    Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces;

6.    Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community;

7.    Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs;

8.    Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community; and

9.    Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.