A new campaign to help people to improve their mental health, prevent and manage mental ill health and to stop suicide has been commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council.
The project is in response to needs identified in data from the suicide audit report 2010-2014, the mental health strategy ‘Hope, Control and Choice’ and the Joint Strategy Needs Assessment. It will be delivered by social marketing expert Ice Creates.
Using existing national data, best practice guidance and new data gained from talking to people about the mental health issues that matter to them, Ice Creates will develop a campaign to promote mental health techniques including the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect; Be Active; Take Notice; Keep Learning; Give’.
Councillor Caroline Dickinson, Executive Member for Public Health, said: “This new campaign contributes to the delivery of the council’s mental health strategy, Hope, Control and Choice. The campaign will encourage the residents of North Yorkshire to think about their own mental wellbeing and take better care of their health, using tried and tested practical techniques.’’
Jayne Prendergast, Director of ICE Creates, said: “We are excited to be developing this innovative campaign in North Yorkshire. Working with the County Council, we aim to help residents to improve their mental wellbeing with targeted and effective messages. Projects like this play an important part in helping to increase awareness of how to look after your own mental health.”
The County Council is also a Mindful Employer, making a voluntary commitment to show that the organisation is working to promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and to recruit and support individuals who may have mental health issues or have suffered discrimination in the past.