Kettering Council to champion mental health awareness

The motion is being proposed by deputy leader Cllr Lloyd Bunday (Con) and opposition leader Cllr Mick Scrimshaw (Lab).

One in four people will experience mental health problems in any given year, and now Kettering Council wants to champion work to increase awareness and prevent future problems.

The motion reads: “This council believes as a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

“Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning.

“All councillors, whether members of the executive or scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.”

Should the motion be approved, the council will seek to do a number of things including:

- to sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and YoungMinds

- commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council

- seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health

- support positive mental health in the community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces

- work to reduce inequalities in mental health in the community

- work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs

- tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community

- proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

- sign up to the Time to Change pledge.

The meeting starts at 7pm tonight in the council chamber.