Centre for Mental Health - march 2023
Local councils play a crucial role in supporting the mental health of their residents. This briefing sets out ideas for 2023 council election candidates to put in their manifestos that will enable their local authorities to improve mental health in their communities.
- The Victorian sewers and slums which local government was established to clear are long gone in the UK. But air pollution, childhood trauma and poverty are still major problems which contribute to poorer mental and physical health. This manifesto recognises the vital role councils can play today in reducing threats to mental health and supporting recovery from illnesses.
- Even before the pandemic, which has increased demand on mental health services to record levels, mental ill health was one of the most prevalent forms of illness in the UK. One in six people experience diagnosable symptoms at any time, at a cost of an average £900m a year in every upper tier local authority area in England.
- Our mental health is largely determined by our childhood and current circumstances. The balance of positive (protective) factors and negative (risk) factors in our lives plays a big part in determining our mental health outcomes. Councils have opportunities to help protect our mental health as well as ensuring the best possible support for people with mental health difficulties.
- The evidence is very clear that poverty causes and worsens mental illness. Councils should work to reduce poverty, create mentally healthier environments, support the best start in life, and ensure everyone can get the support they need through access to quality services. This manifesto outlines tangible actions every council can take to make these goals a reality.
Read the Report - Mentally healthier council areas: manifesto ideas for the 2023 local authority elections
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