Guernsey Mind

Guernsey Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Emily Litten – Guernsey Mind

What is the strategy

An agreement for inter agency working throughout the States to improve wellbeing across the whole community and promote a model of prevention, early intervention, resilience and social inclusion.

A belief that, when people do need to use services, they are treated with respect, and with a focus on recovery and effective rehabilitation.

Interagency working

All States Departments will work to promote mental health where possible

Mental health will be included in all new States strategies

Support will be consistent and focus on recognising symptoms, understanding the impact of mental health on an individual and ensuring appropriate help is available

Recovery and rehabilitation

All States Departments will act to promote positive wellbeing through a variety of options: Self-care and independence where appropriate Education and training Advice and information Support available in a variety of settings A selection of services and a focus on choice

Main objectives o Young people are starting, growing and

developing wello People are living wello People are working wello People are ageing wello Tackling stigma and discriminationo Inherent in criminal justice systemo Appropriate pharmaceutical practiceso Carers are supported

Growing and Developing Well (1)

o Improving parenting skills and support for family life

o Raise the importance of emotional development in children, with more multi-agency awareness

o Raise awareness in parents of importance of play, home learning, family meals etc.

o Improve inter-agency working

Growing and Developing Well (2)

o Determine the accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness of services that are currently available

o Reduce adverse experience such as domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, neglect

o Address a concern that young people are leaving school without the necessary emotional maturity for employment

Living Well

Provide more information for people as they live their lives

Evaluate the benefits of primary care mental health and wellbeing pilot scheme

Provide access to advice and support in non-stigmatising settings

Working Well (1)

Promote the benefits of a healthy workplace Provide opportunities for employers to improve

knowledge and understanding that will break down stigma and provide a wider scope for supported employment

Identify opportunities to present a positive view of people who have mental health problems

Working Well (2)

Encourage the States to promote mental wellbeing as an exemplary employer

Providing targeted support to people in long term unemployment

Maintaining an open dialogue with employers Identifying ‘workplace champions’ for mental

wellbeing

Ageing Well (1)

o Improving knowledge & understanding of Dementia

o Promoting factors that maintain good health in older people

o Providing access to assessment diagnosis and care planning

o Expanding community services to enable more people to remain in independent living for longer

Ageing Well (2)

o Establishing inter-agency work to provide access to leisure, exercise volunteering and social activities for older people

o Considering the development of locality-focused integrated support teams

o Engaging with clinical staff to explore the development of ‘ageless’ services where appropriate

Tackling stigma and discrimination

Engaging with the media to provide ‘positive messages’ about mental health

Improving knowledge and understanding in the general public

Using World Mental Health Day (October 10) as an opportunity to engage with the public

The identification of a high profile Guernsey ‘champion’