Mental Health Challenge
CHAMPION COUNCILS
Background

COSTS – Estimates in 2009-10 a cost
nationally of £105 billion

Poor mental health frequently
equates to poor physical health

Impact of mental health issues on
the community

This adds to the costs for NHS care
around £8 to £10 billion

NHS spend around £10 billion


Links across the spectrum e.g.
alcohol consumption, criminal
justice, social services
Family impact is considerable
affecting lost income, lower
educational attainment, poorer
quality of life and a shorter life span

70 million work days lost each year
from mental health issues


43% of those on long term benefits
have primary mental health
problems
Promoting wellbeing in children
could lead to benefits of around £24
billion in one year group

This would provide longer term
benefits and lead to considerable
financial benefits
Background 2

Every year one in four of us will
experience mental health issues, yet
only one in four of those will receive
specialist treatment or support

Mental health has seldom been
seen as a priority for politicians either
nationally or in local government

Many of the most important
influences on our mental health are
local and the role of local
government in promoting wellbeing
and supporting better lives has for
too long been underestimated.

Local councils control not only
children’s services, but also adult
social care, housing, public health,
alcohol and drug services and
community safety

They assess the needs of their
communities and make strategic
plans with NHS partners for health
and wellbeing

Elected members provide a point of
reference and leadership in their
communities and take on casework
The potential for local authorities to enhance wellbeing
is considerable but currently largely untapped
Ten Questions for your council

How many people in your locality
have different mental health
conditions?

How many people from particular
groups are affected?

How many people with mental
health conditions receive timely
treatment?

How many people with mental
health conditions receive support for
their physical health such as to stop
smoking?

What is the local level of mental
wellbeing?

What is the local level of protective
factors for mental wellbeing?

What is the local level of risk factors
for mental health conditions and
poor wellbeing?

How many local people receive
interventions to prevent mental
health conditions and promote
mental wellbeing?

What is the local annual spend on
the treatment and prevention of
mental health conditions as well as
the promotion of mental wellbeing?

What is the local annual cost of
mental health conditions
Action points

Appoint and elected member as
‘mental health champion’

Identify a lead officer for mental
health to link in with colleagues
across the council

Follow and implementation
framework for the mental health
strategy where it is relevant to the
council’s work and local needs

Work to reduce inequalities in
mental health in our community

Work with the NHS to integrate
health and social care support

Promote wellbeing and initiate
and support action on public
mental health for example,
through our joint health and
wellbeing strategy

Tackle discrimination on the
grounds of mental health in our
community

Encourage positive mental health
in our schools, colleges and
workplaces

Proactively engage and listen to
people of all ages and
backgrounds about what they
need for better mental health
The role of the Champion

Raise awareness of mental
health issues in the
development of council
policies and strategies and in
public

Ensuring the Overview and
Scrutiny Committee have
mental health as one of their
concerns

Leading discussions with the
NHS and other providers in the
local area

Speaking with schools,
businesses and local
community groups about
mental health

Linking with mental health
service users and voluntary
groups locally to better
understand their needs and
concerns

Tackling myths and
misperceptions about mental
health in the local community
THINK FAMILY
POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH
COMMUNITIES TEAM
POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH
POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
THINK FAMILY
COMMUNITIES TEAM
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH
Questions