Newark and Sherwood District Council approve proposal for each political party to appoint a member mental health champions
Each political party on Newark and Sherwood District Council is to appoint a member mental health champion.
It follows a motion at an October meeting when members approved a motion to sign the Time To Change employer pledge, appoint a member champion, and identify a member of staff to act as lead officer for mental health.
In proposing the motion, Michael Brown, outlined the extent people were affected by mental health issues.
He said one in four people would experience a mental health problem in any given year, with more than 6,000 having taken their own lives.
“Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales,” said Mr Brown.
“The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020."
The main role of a member champion — a voluntary position — would be to work alongside the council’s lead officer, health improvement officer Helen Ellison and staff champions to oversee the development and delivery of the council’s Time To Change action plan.
They will focus on changing attitudes and create chances to open up conversations about mental health, making it easier for people to seek support.
You may also like:
Resubmitted plans for 80 homes refused by planning committee
Man arrested in connection with Christmas Day break-in at store
