Agenda item

Mental Health Prevention

Minutes:

DONCASTER CARING

 

The Panel received a presentation that provided an overview of a model for approaches to mental health prevention in Doncaster.  The areas covered included the following;

 

           A prevention framework for Doncaster

           Assets and strengths

           Create the conditions

           Community infrastructure

           Health and care services

           What needs assessment tells us about mental health in Doncaster?

           Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health

 

The Panel held a  discussion that covered the following areas;

 

Well North – A Member asked whether this scheme was going to be expanded into other geographical areas.  Members were informed that this was being considered to see if it would add any more value to what was already being done within communities.

 

Suicide and Peer Support - A Member talked about their own personal experience of a family member who had committed suicide and how it was felt that the persons spouse had not received enough peer support. The Panel was informed that this area was being looked into and conversations were at an early stage.

 

Gambling – Members were informed that public health were formally consulted to advise on the health and well-being implications of any proposed premises where licensed gambling would take place.

 

Community Structure – References were made to the support and co-creation of alliances to address specific challenges such as a Mental Health Alliance. It was explained that MIND (in partnership with Changing Lives) had been commissioned to deliver a community crisis support service from April 2019.

 

Members were also informed about the social café model with hubs being located in Mexborough, Thorne, Bentley and Doncaster town centre.  It was commented that this model provided an alternative for individuals to go to and work was being undertaken with local communities to identify suitable premises to mobilise that project. 

 

Doncaster Practice Model and Guidelines – This was about using strength based approaches, motivational interviewing, asset based community development, trauma informed practice, Making Every Contact Count together with life course specific approaches including patient activation and self-management.

 

Access to Services - A Member raised concerns about lengthy waiting times to access professional services which could prove demoralising for individuals who needed that support.  Members were informed that there were a number of proposals being considered by RDasH to improve front end access and waiting times

 

Training - A Member stressed the importance of supporting arm’s length organisations. Members were assured that targeted training was viewed as a priority and would be made available to contracted staff as well as Council employed staff.  It was added that low level training provided by SAFETALK and Mental Health First Aid training would be offered to a diverse group of people to ensure that they were trained to a certain level.

 

Data and Information - It was commented that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment showed that Doncaster was average and it was about identifying risk factors and any underlying issues.  Members were informed that the Doncaster Mental Health Needs Assessment should be completed by December 2018 and would drill down into the available data. 

 

A Member commented that they would like Doncaster to strive for more than averages.   It was responded that it was about investigating further to see what was driving the figures as averages could hide many challenges. 

 

Members were informed that the Council was committed to working towards a Mental Health comprehensive plan.  Members agreed that they would like to see the plan at a meeting of the Panel in March 2019. It was continued that the Council were looking to sign up to the Prevention Concordat in 2020.

 

A Member stated how there was a great deal of evidence available through different reports, groups being set up and money being spent in different places. 

 

Long Term Unemployment (Risk Factor) –- Members felt that individuals with mental health problems needed to feel self-worth and that any financial pressures could be added to during such a time of austerity if they faced unemployment.  It was responded that those experiencing long term unemployment had been identified as a risk factor under suicide prevention.

 

It was supported by the Director of Public Health that the wider economic situation could negatively impact on those with mental health problems. It was recognised that it was unlikely that Council would find themselves in a position where employment could be increased, however, work was being done to look at the diversity of the workforce.  It was stressed that work had been undertaken with Doncaster Chamber around addressing the mental health of staff within larger organisations; it was shared that challenges were presented around smaller organisations who employed 5 or less.  It was also mentioned that work was being done with GPs around this issue.

 

Concern was raised around the bureaucracy in the system, decisions not being made on time and the impact that could have on people’s lives.  It was commented that if the support network was not in place then more tension could be created within families.  It was felt that  action was needed, there needed to be more focus on service delivery, that charters and concordats needed to be signed up to and for those organisations to be held to account.

 

A Member supported the progress of physical and social regeneration going forward.  Members were reminded of the Inclusive Growth Strategy which included six areas of challenge.

 

It was noted there was likely to be a correlation between austerity and data which would be reviewed shortly.  It was supported that there was a need to create conditions and find motivations for people to identify self-worth through contribution.

 

RESOLVED that the Panel noted the report.

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