Agenda item

It is expected that this item will involve a 15 minute presentation and a 10 minute discussion.

 

Holly Gilbert, Public Health Manager (Mental Health & Community Safety) will give an overview of the recently published Public Mental Health Strategy and highlight some of the actions that the strategy proposes. As a part of responses to the consultation about the draft strategy the importance of debt management in improving mental health and the issue of hoarding were raised, which were incorporated into the final document.

 

Holly will also make reference to the PHOF indicator, hospital stays for self-harm, that shows a significantly worse than England average for Cambridge and give a view on how this indicator reflects the situation in Cambridge.

 

The full Public Mental Health Strategy 2015 – 2018 can be found at the link below:

 

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/site/custom_scripts/cons_details.aspx?ref=361

Holly Gilbert, Public Health Manager - Mental Health & Community Safety, Cambridgeshire County Council gave a presentation on the Public Mental Health Strategy for Cambridgeshire. At any one time at least one person in six was experiencing a mental health condition, which had huge financial impact as there was a cost to the individual, society and the economy.

 

The strategy looked at mental health promotion and prevention activity, taking a multi-agency approach with the public and voluntary and private sectors. The work had highlighted the need for additional central government support.

 

Members were advised there were plans to make the most of opportunities across county services to promote mental health and prevent mental illness, for example through education. An anti-bully toolkit had been developed that would help support schools to improve their approach to mental health in young people.

 

The strategy would look at mental health promotion and prevention activity across three broad themes:

       i.        A life course approach to promoting mental health

     ii.        Developing a wider environment that supports mental health

    iii.        Physical and mental health

 

The themes would cover the following areas:

 

     i.        Promotion of Children & Young People

    ii.        Social Isolation & Loneliness

   iii.        Mental Health & Work

  iv.        Mental Health Promotion in the Community

   v.        Mental Health of People with Long Term Conditions

  vi.        Physical Health of people with Mental Illness

 

A further report outlining progress will be brought back to the Partnership at a future date.

 

Members discussed several projects that had been or were in the process of being undertaken. Reference was made to the HealthWatch Cambridgeshire’s Ely’s School Project and a County website developed around mental health that could be linked to other associated sites, which would go live next year.

 

Many factors that could contribute and / or impact on mental issues were also discussed, such as use of alcohol, individuals who were isolated, lack of exercise, whether the same services were available to those individuals who lived outside of a City. Another factor discussed was that of debt and the introduction of Universal Credit 

 

With the introduction of Universal Credit being paid directly to the individual an additional pressure could be put on young people or vulnerable individuals who had no experience of money management.

 

The Chair asked what strategies were in place to assist with the issue.

 

Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau advised that there was a dedicated team to deal with debt management and all individuals would be offered budget help at the point of a claim. There is also a financial inclusion worker employed by the City Council for tenants. 

 

It was queried if a directory of services available could be produced but it was acknowledged information quickly changed and a printed format would quickly go out of date.  

 

Members were reminded of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), 2 day training and nationally recognised and certificated course which were available; details could be found at the following link http://www.mindincambs.org.uk/Services/Workplace.

 

The Chair thanked Holly for her presentation, who agreed to send out a Powerpoint version, including self-harm, it’s prevention and treatment, for members.

 

Committee Manager’s note: A copy of the self-harm presentation can be viewed at the link below:

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=347&MId=2901&Ver=4