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HSC takes "prevention-focussed action" on mental health

HSC takes

Tuesday 16 July 2019

HSC takes "prevention-focussed action" on mental health

Tuesday 16 July 2019


Health and Social Care is looking to improve local mental health by focusing on prevention, as part of a national agreement.

This comes as Guernsey's health service has been approved as a signatory for the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health.

That means the committee will have to send a report to Public Health England each year outlining the progress it has made in regard to mental health services.

"The commitment to promoting better mental health within the Bailiwick is of paramount importance to the health and wellbeing of all islanders," said HSC President Deputy Heidi Soulsby. "As such, we strongly endorse the principle that mental health and wellbeing should be given equal priority to physical health."

Heidi_soulsby_at_the_hospital_2.jpeg

Pictured: President of HSC Deputy Heidi Soulsby.

The Bailiwick is the first place outside of England to join the agreement.

"This is relevant to Guernsey and Alderney as we progress with the mapping and implementation of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2020, progressing workstreams such as the community Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre," the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, added.

"Becoming a signatory to the Prevention Concordat Programme for Better Mental Health will provide further evidence of our commitment to achieving better mental health for all islanders.

"We recognise that to transform our health and care system, we need to increase the focus on prevention and the wider determinants of mental health. We recognise the need for a shift towards prevention-focussed action to enable early help."

public health England

The concordat's establishment was led by Public Health England.

The Bailiwick's health service had to go through a number of steps to be approved as a signatory and Public Health England carried out a review into its submission.

Public Health Practitioner Heather Ewert said: "What was most encouraging for us was that achieving compliance was more about considering what we do than starting new work streams."

As a signatory, Guernsey will be asked to promote its involvement with the concordat and deliver joint communications with Public Health England.

Pictured top: the entrance to Guernsey's mental health centre, the Oberlands site at the PEH. 

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