Issue - meetings

Presentation by the Assistant Director of Public Health.

Tamara Djuretic, Assistant Director Public Health, gave a presentation on the data from the JSNA around mental health in the borough, the harms associated with mental health disorders, and the recommendation of the New Economics Foundation to adopt a population-wide approach to mental health, with a shift in emphasis away from the severe end of the spectrum of mental health issues to preventative measures and addressing moderate mental health. The report set out influencing factors, different mental health conditions and wider consequences for children and young people, working-age adults and older adults, and also set out statistics for specific conditions and how figures differed in different parts of the borough. The Board discussed the content of the presentation:

·        The BEH Mental Health Trust benchmarking data for 2011/12 had indicated a low number of beds for the borough and the Board asked for a definition of ‘low’. Tamara Djuretic advised that a definition had not been provided, but that she would check this.

·        In response to a request for a breakdown of figures by ethnicity / religion, it was reported that the data from GPs did not give this level of detail, although the figures could be cross-checked against the profile of the GP populations to give an indication. The Mental Health Trust had not provided data on ethnicity along with their statistics, however the Trust would hold this information and the local authority would check back with them on this.

·        Further work was needed in terms of engagement with community groups. It was reported that work currently being undertaken with the Muslim community indicated that there was a significant population that was not currently appearing in official statistics, and it was suggested that the Mental Health Trust should try to link in with such projects.

·        It was confirmed that specific work was being undertaken around mental health in the refugee population.

·        There was an opportunity for joined-up working around mental health and housing issues, in particular temporary emergency accommodation. It was suggested that this could be incorporated into the temporary accommodation licensing scheme that was being rolled out. Other such opportunities for joined-up working in relation to mental health should be identified.

·        The Board agreed that there it was crucially important to challenge the stigma associated with mental health, and other social factors relating to mental health.

·        Budgets for public mental health had increased, and there was a need to commission for change, by focussing on preventing mental health problems. There was a need to look at existing community resources and how to strengthen existing networks.

·        Jeanelle de Gruchy reported that the Council was looking at signing up to the ‘Time to Change’ campaign as part of its wider work on tackling the stigma around mental health issues. A paper on this would be brought to the Board in due course.

·         The Board agreed that there should be more focus on positive health assets, as opposed to just looking at the negative factors.