Legal News

City of York Council has pledged to take up the Mental Health Challenge to help reduce inequalities in mental health services across York.

Members of the council will become mental health champions and a leader will be appointed to promote positive attitudes towards mental health in schools, colleges and universities.

The lead officer for mental health in York will also make sure the board is proactive in engaging with young people of all ages to promote a positive outlook towards mental health.

Chief Executive of City of York Council Kersten England and Deputy Leader of the council Tracey Simpson-Laing have both spoken in support of the council signing up to the Mental Health Challenge.

The 10-point Mental Health Challenge has been adopted by a number of Local Authorities across England and Wales. The challenge was initiated by a group of charities and professional bodies to improve access to mental services and raise positive awareness of mental health issues.

The founders of The Mental Health Challenge are professional body the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as the Centre for Mental Health, the Mental Health Foundation, the charity Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and YoungMinds.

Councils are encouraged to become member champions of the Mental Health Challenge and “lead the way” in making a difference to mental health issues and services in the community.

The Mental Health Challenge offers support to the lead officer at each member council – so far the challenge has 13 member champions.

The Mental Health Challenge’s 10-point commitment is:

1. Appoint an elected member as “mental health champion” across the council

2. Identify a “lead officer” for mental health to link in with colleagues across the council

3. Follow the implementation framework for the mental health strategy where it is relevant to the council’s work and local needs

4. Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in the community

5. Work with the NHS to integrate health and social care support

6. Promote wellbeing and initiate and support action on public mental health

7. Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in the community

8. Encourage positive mental health in schools, colleges and workplaces

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

10. Sign up to the Time to Change pledge.

The challenge organisers say that one in six people will suffer from a mental health problem at any one time during their life – and in England alone, mental health illness costs the country £105 billion annually. Often there is a cycle of mental health illness related to family issues, employment issues, housing issues and debt.

The challenge aims to tackle discrimination against those who suffer from a mental health condition – and councils will be supported in championing mental health services on both a strategic and individual level via councillors’ community and casework roles.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading firms of mental health solicitors and offers free legal advice to mental health patients.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors can attend police stations and hospitals at short notice to advise and represent individuals detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.