Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Wellbeing and Mental Health Engagement Event

Peter Hale

Tuesday 21 October – Bristol

Health Protection and Health Improvement – Public Health hasn’t embraced Mental Health Agenda – Needs improvement for Parity of Esteem – Premature Mortality. Unless more input won’t get the benefit of improved public health. What would help to improve mental health? Learning and listening, what can Public Health England do to support communities, how can they help local communities and organisations. Some of measurements and terminology can get in the way. Significant challenges. Don’t want to see silo approaches between Mental Health and Physical Health.

In my opinion why no-one here from DWP, ATOS etc, Work Programme etc?

So much work on mental illness but need for more on mental health and mental illness, stigma, and physical health and joining up physical and mental health. Some progress in last two decades but not enough, for parents, schools, workplaces, needs more work, policy advocacy. Encouraging evidence on what to do. Growing examples of good practice in local communities. Desire for more integrated approaches. Still pejorative discussion of mental illness and cost. Not acceptable to talk of financial ‘burden’ of mental illness to country. Can people with mental health issues get work, be free of discrimination, companionship, freedom from debt. Compelling story for how and why to improve mental health – evidence base. Separates mind from body, lack of co-ordination, lack of implementation of policies to improve mental health. Next 18 months will be a lot of discussion, local needs assessments, strategic plans, co-ordination, must include agenda for mental health. Must engage with community. Public Health England PHE has priorities – mental health and illness to be included as part of all strategies.

Public Health England (PHE) Action in Public Health

Things like Mental Health First Aid Programme, annual summits, progress and approach for 2020.

Immediate plans for more emphasis on prevention of mental health issues to be embedded in services. Key programme areas for service user involvement.

October 29^th wellbeing – Gus O’Donnell to Launch in morning Employment and Learning, Exercise, Art. Independent report – CMO report: Public Health England (PHE) reflections – Use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework.

Later – Happy City Bristol Launch.

Keynote Session 2

What is wellbeing – mental health – Why is it important?

Issues

This statement is untrue – ‘Mental illness population affects a well defined group discrete from the rest of us.’ of the – This does not accord with the facts.

Dual Continuum Model – To address wellbeing as well as illness.

Mind and body are one system - Descartes was wrong!

Autonomic Nervous System

Fight or Flight (or Freeze)

Systems approach needed and plan.

Need to invest in many places.

I raised issue of Public Health Ringfence. Answer from Public Health England that councils must embed mental health investment within their spending. What are the needs of the community?

Keynote Session 3

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) – I’ve done this training and many other people I know

Prevention not cure – Diminishing resources

Paramount to –

a) Educate ourselves

b) Empower individuals to spread message

c) Collate robust evidence

Hard to get funding for things that aren’t evidence based. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has evidence. Includes supporting employers to promote workplace wellbeing, and help staff to cope. Help to lessen stress at work. What would you do if someone is in a mental health crisis?

Imagine a workplace without physical fist aid?!

Health professionals still need MHFA.

Still lots of stigma and discrimination.

1/3 of GPs have never had mental health training but 1/3 of patients visit because of their mental health issues.

5 ways to wellbeing

Question from service user whether DWP will offer MHFA to people who are claimants.

Question about keeping stress management within workplace ongoing – champion in Workplace to ensure MHFA is ongoing.

Assist ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - See more at: http://www.elament.org.uk/training/asist-applied-suicide-intervention-skills-training.aspx#sthash.mN5zlIkR.dpuf

Workshop Discussion

Separated into tables for different areas (2 for Bristol)

Bristol tables - requested more accountability on spending (Councils’ Public Health, and Public Health England). More voluntary sector and service user involvement, and joining up of services. Also role of sports, exercise, faith and community groups in promoting good mental health. Asset rather than deficit approach looking at what we have. Need resources for mental wellness, not just illness. The point was made that points such of this were made some time ago, progress? Importance of getting in early for children’s mental health. MHFA is a good example – LIFT Psychology works well but not for all people. Happy City works well with some people, but some people miss out. Reframing narrative – including people with lived experience. Talking to people with mental health issues – what goes well? Evidence base – need for models that aren’t just numbers based, as mental health is complex. Issue of tendering being competitive, does that encourage collaboration?

South Gloucestershire table – raised issue of joined up services, and services for young people.

Other tables – discussions – shifting conversation from – things can’t be done for lack of money to identifying what community assets are already available. Issue of 7 minute GP appointments. Employers need to be at forums like this.

Relevant News Stories

BBC News - Public mental health spending in England too low, says Mind - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29792386 - Local authorities spend "unacceptably low"

Councils spend less than 1.5% on mental health, charity finds - http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/28/mind-charity-mental-health-council-spending-less-than-1-point-5-per-cent?CMP=twt_gu via @guardian - Mind charity

Peter Hale Service User

Monday 27 October 2014