• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Action day prioritises mental health

Screen Shot 2015-12-11 at 14.16.26A ‘day of action’ has been held by North Tyneside’s Health and Wellbeing Board with a sole focus on improving mental health.

The board brings together the local authority, health providers, patient representatives and the voluntary and community sector to agree goals and lead change.

 And at the event, members and key partners came together to look at existing mental health services, access to services, key issues and share good practice.

They heard from keynote speakers including Mr Greig Ramsay, Consultant Psychiatrist from Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Ruth Evans, Medical Director from North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Jenny McAteer, Director at Healthwatch North Tyneside.

Representatives from mental health charities were on hand to explain the support they offer including Mind, Independent Advocacy North East, Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Cllr Spillard, who chairs the board as part of her duties of cabinet member for Public Health, said: “Members of the board are committed to working together to make sure we strengthen the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our residents.

“The action day was extremely useful and ensured everyone understands they key issues surrounding mental health here in North Tyneside.

 “We will now look to develop a mental health strategy using the learning and we will be discussing this in the new year at our board meetings.”

Jenny McAteer, Director of Healthwatch North Tyneside said “We were pleased to have the opportunity to present local people’s experiences of using mental health services at the action day. It’s encouraging that the Health and Wellbeing Board is committed to ensuring that local people’s views are right at the core of discussions like these and look forward to seeing how the development of this crucial strategy will lead change”.

The ‘day of action’ is part of a series of events the Health and Wellbeing Board is holding around three themes; mental health, alcohol and looking at ways to strengthen engagement between the board and the public.

The main themes of the board for the year include:

·        Preventing and reducing demand – what keeps people out of formal care and support services

·        Promoting good health and wellbeing and encouraging people to take responsibility for this

·        Engagement and involvement – how the board understands existing engagement opportunities and how it can strengthen its approach, making the board everyone’s board.

More information about the board and meeting dates can be found at www.northtyneside.gov.uk.

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By admin