Children’s mental health week – help spread the word

Councillor Kate Forbes, mental health champion, talks about the work we are doing as a council to improve the mental health of our residents.

The theme for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is Let’s Connect. People thrive in communities, and the connection that comes from this is vital for our well-being.

Children’s mental health charity Place2Be, which organises the week, is encouraging children and adults to consider all the different ways that we can make meaningful connections with others.

When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of well-being. 

What we are doing in Wandsworth
Here in Wandsworth, as a Council, we are working hard to support people of all ages with mental health problems, focusing on prevention to prevent problems from getting worse. This includes introducing a mental health impact assessment to tackle health inequalities and ensure culturally appropriate support across our borough.

Last month, we outlined plans to better help young people across Wandsworth,

• We are working more closely with primary and secondary schools, so young people get ongoing tailored support from staff in schools.
• We have introduced a mental health impact assessment to tackle health inequalities and ensure culturally appropriate support across our borough.
• Our Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Strategy has been updated to ensure that we give young people the best possible support through a more holistic partnership working approach.
• Working with partner organisations, we are providing support and training for teachers and school staff, along with more support for school leaders.
• 9 out of 10 schools now have a Child and adolescent mental health service in place, with additional support for the most vulnerable.
• We are also working closely with the NHS locally to ensure everyone has access to community mental health hubs, which includes a new Well Centre in Battersea and Putney to provide mental health support.
• Councillor Kate Forbes has been appointed as a Mental Health Champion to help spearhead this important work.

Councillor Kate Forbes, mental health champion said,
“We are committed to improving the mental health of our residents and have already achieved a lot in a short space of time.

“This is something we’re really proud of, but this is only the start.

“We have bold ambitions to do a lot more, to improve the mental health of our residents and make Wandsworth the best borough to grow up and grow old in.”

Councillor Kate Stock, Cabinet member for children said,
"Our work, along with our partner organisations, is all about making sure that young people get sustained, ongoing support. 

"Being in schools means we can identify problems earlier and see young people on a regular basis, so they develop a relationship with someone they trust.

“This week in particular, we are encouraging everyone locally to get involved with Children's mental health – to make meaningful connections with others and to join us in shining a light on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.”

Get involved – Let’s connect
Human beings are intrinsically connected to each other, and human connection is vital for the well-being and survival of all individuals.

People with positive connections to family, friends and others often experience better mental health than those who are less well-connected.

You can get involved by starting conversations with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways.

And you can share posts about the week across social media to help spread the word,

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn