Responding to proposals for mental health reform announced today
in the Queen’s Speech, Chairman of the Local Government
Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe,
said:
“The mental wellbeing of our local communities is fundamental to
a healthy and prosperous society and a new Draft Mental Health
Bill provides an opportunity to prioritise this.
“Additional funding for the NHS to tackle mental illness is
clearly a good thing, but it is important to remember that
councils have a significant role in addressing this as well.
“Future money for mental health must explicitly include
investment directed towards supporting the work councils do.
Councils deliver a range of mental health services, such as
providing a home and support for people who have received
treatment for a mental health condition so they can move out of
hospital, or helping people get active, stop smoking and cut down
on drinking. Councils also provide services that help people
recover, get back into work and that help their families and
carers during difficult times.
“We are also pleased that there will be a Green Paper on
children’s mental health. Councils have been clear that we need a
root and branch overhaul of children’s mental health services
that ensures children get access to the right treatment at an
early stage. This should also include talking about mental health
at school to help children become resilient, reducing future need
for mental health treatment.
“Community based services can help keep children out of hospital
and it is vital that specialist referral systems are also
adequately funded to allow intensive counselling to children who
need it.
“Unless we all raise awareness to overcome the stigma associated
with mental health issues and provide parents with information on
how to discuss mental health with their children, then vulnerable
youngsters may remain under the radar, causing lifelong damage
and preventing them reaching their true potential.”
