Time to Change mental health initiative and staff champion to be adopted by Newark and Sherwood District Council
A mental health initiative and staff champion are to be adopted by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Time to Change — a growing mental health social movement — is a pledge signed by organisations, which works to change the way people think about mental wellbeing.
A meeting of the district council voted in favour of the scheme, which is led by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, with two abstentions.
A member of the council, Michael Brown, brought forward the motion and outlined the extent to which people are affected by mental health issues.
He said one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, with more than 6,000 having taken their own lives.
“Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales,” said Mr Brown.
“The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020.”
The meeting heard addressing mental health issues costs £105bn each year in England alone, while there is often a link between mental wellbeing and issues such a housing, employment, family problems and debt.
It was also noted people with severe mental illnesses can die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the United Kingdom.
The council unanimously voted to sign the Time to Change scheme; appoint an elected member as a mental health champion; identify a member of council staff to act as lead officer for mental health and provide details of actions it will take to support its mental health agenda.
Keith Girling, deputy council leader, told the meeting he experienced mental health issues — and was proud to say he had sought help for them.
In response, Maureen Dobson, another councillor, said Mr Girling did well to keep his mental health struggles under wraps.
The comment made by Mrs Dobson was picked up by Mr Brown who said her comment represented an outdated view.
“Firstly, Maureen, why should Keith hide his mental health — it is the 21st century?” said Mr Brown.
Labour Group leader, Paul Peacock, voiced his support for the motion and said mental health is something everybody can relate to.
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