Agenda item

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Pattinson and seconded by Councillor Martins:

 

“Preamble

On Tuesday 10 October it was World Mental Health day. People with mental health problems aren't getting a fair deal. It's especially hard for people from ethnic minority communities, those of in poverty and young people. Physical and mental health should be treated equally in the NHS. Not enough resources reach front line mental health services and there is still a very long way to go to achieve real equity for mental health.

The Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - Published: July 2023:

The Cost of Living Crisis has impacted the mental health of the majority of Hertfordshire residents, with 56% stating that rising costs has affected their emotional wellbeing. 16% felt their mental health has been affected “a lot” by increased costs, while 40% felt their mental health had been affected “a little”. Only 36% said their mental health had not been affected.

Mental Health in Watford Research Project - March 2022:

25,000 Watford residents are currently suffering from a common mental disorder. (NHS Herts CCG) and there has been a significant rise in adolescent mental health problems. During the pandemic these numbers doubled.

This Council Notes:

Our country is experiencing a national mental health emergency where too many people are ending up at the point of crisis in need of hospital care when they could have been supported at an earlier stage. This is harmful to people for whom acute hospitals are not the right setting, as well as for other people who may need these beds to treat their physical needs.

We’re seeing the human cost as people wait days in A&E for mental health beds and people experiencing complex mental health problems struggle without help.

Supporting the mental health of residents is part of Watford Boroughs Council Plan.

As part of the Council’s delivery plan we are committed to ‘Support improved health and well-being across the town’ and currently act as a voice for residents into the Integrated Care System to help achieves this.

Working with a range of organisations across Watford & Hertfordshire to support mental health we have taken actions including resourcing and supporting:

·        Watford Healthy Hub, which is supported by Mental health Professionals

·        Dementia Friendly Watford

·        Menopause support for residents

·        Business Wellbeing – 6 Steps Pledge

This Council Believes:

We need to see commitment to providing the right care in the right place, at the right time, ending decades of underfunding and neglect to services.

A fundamental shift of resource to more services in the community is needed to help to prevent people from reaching the point of crisis. This will have benefits for people, and for the economy by keeping more people in the workforce.

Early intervention to prevent people from experiencing a mental health crisis and to minimise the number and duration of in-patient stays should be a priority for mental health.

We should continue lead the way in making Watford a diverse, happy and healthy town and support mental health by:

1.      Putting our residents, community groups and local organisations at the heart of decisions for improved mental health in Watford.

2.      Be a role model for other Councils in supporting employee mental health.

3.      Ensure we make future corporate decisions that put wellbeing at the heart of them.

4.      Campaigning for more resource to be allocated by the UK Government towards mental health for local councils.

5.      To act as a role model for other organisations by completing the Business Wellbeing 6 Steps Pledge to improve mental wellbeing within Watford Borough Council for its employees.

6.      To request that all future sub-contractors for Watford Borough Council are working towards supporting the well being of their employees.

This Council Resolves To:

Request the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

1)   Expressing that this Council believes there is a Mental Health emergency and that there should be an urgent significant increase in the amount of funding made to mental health services, so that there is parity of treatment between physical and mental health and that there should be more funding to further support the provision of resources for local Councils to deliver mental health improvements for their residents.”

The following motion had been proposed by Councillor Pattinson and seconded by Councillor Martins:

 

“Preamble

On Tuesday 10 October it was World Mental Health Day. People with mental health problems aren't getting a fair deal. It's especially hard for people from ethnic minority communities, those of in poverty and young people. Physical and mental health should be treated equally in the NHS. Not enough resources reach front line mental health services and there is still a very long way to go to achieve real equity for mental health.”

 

The Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - Published: July 2023:

 

The Cost-of-Living Crisis has impacted the mental health of the majority of Hertfordshire residents, with 56% stating that rising costs has affected their emotional wellbeing. 16% felt their mental health has been affected “a lot” by increased costs, while 40% felt their mental health had been affected “a little”. Only 36% said their mental health had not been affected.

 

Mental Health in Watford Research Project - March 2022:

 

25,000 Watford residents are currently suffering from a common mental disorder.  (NHS Herts CCG) and there has been a significant rise in adolescent mental health problems. During the pandemic these numbers doubled.

 

This Council Notes:

 

Our country is experiencing a national mental health emergency where too many people are ending up at the point of crisis in need of hospital care when they could have been supported at an earlier stage. This is harmful to people for whom acute hospitals are not the right setting, as well as for other people who may need these beds to treat their physical needs.

 

We’re seeing the human cost as people wait days in A&E for mental health beds and people experiencing complex mental health problems struggle without help.

 

Supporting the mental health of residents is part of Watford Boroughs Council

Plan.

 

As part of the Council’s delivery plan, we are committed to ‘Support improved

health and well-being across the town’ and currently act as a voice for residents

into the Integrated Care System to help achieves this.

 

Working with a range of organisations across Watford & Hertfordshire to support mental health we have taken actions including resourcing and supporting:

 

·        Watford Healthy Hub, which is supported by Mental health Professionals.

·        Dementia Friendly Watford.

·        Menopause support for residents.

·        Business Wellbeing – 6 Steps Pledge.

 

This Council Believes:

 

We need to see commitment to providing the right care in the right place, at the

right time, ending decades of underfunding and neglect to services.

 

A fundamental shift of resource to more services in the community is needed to help to prevent people from reaching the point of crisis. This will have benefits for people, and for the economy by keeping more people in the workforce.

 

Early intervention to prevent people from experiencing a mental health crisis and to minimise the number and duration of in-patient stays should be a priority for mental health.

 

We should continue lead the way in making Watford a diverse, happy and healthy town and support mental health by:

1. Putting our residents, community groups and local organisations at the heart of decisions for improved mental health in Watford.

2. Be a role model for other Councils in supporting employee mental health.

3. Ensure we make future corporate decisions that put wellbeing at the heart

of them.

4. Campaigning for more resource to be allocated by the UK Government

towards mental health for local councils.

5. To act as a role model for other organisations by completing the Business

Wellbeing 6 Steps Pledge to improve mental wellbeing within Watford

Borough Council for its employees.

6. To request that all future sub-contractors for Watford Borough Council are

working towards supporting the well-being of their employees.

 

This Council Resolves To:

 

Request the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

 

1. “Expressing that this Council believes there is a mental health emergency

and that there should be an urgent significant increase in the amount of

funding made to mental health services, so that there is parity of treatment between physical and mental health and that there should be more funding to further support the provision of resources for local councils to deliver mental health improvements for their residents.”

 

On being put to Council the motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Preamble

On Tuesday 10 October it was World Mental Health Day. People with mental health problems aren't getting a fair deal. It's especially hard for people from ethnic minority communities, those of in poverty and young people. Physical and mental health should be treated equally in the NHS. Not enough resources reach front line mental health services and there is still a very long way to go to achieve real equity for mental health.”

 

The Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - Published: July 2023:

 

The Cost-of-Living Crisis has impacted the mental health of the majority of Hertfordshire residents, with 56% stating that rising costs has affected their emotional wellbeing. 16% felt their mental health has been affected “a lot” by increased costs, while 40% felt their mental health had been affected “a little”. Only 36% said their mental health had not been affected.

 

Mental Health in Watford Research Project - March 2022:

 

25,000 Watford residents are currently suffering from a common mental disorder.  (NHS Herts CCG) and there has been a significant rise in adolescent mental health problems. During the pandemic these numbers doubled.

 

This Council Notes:

 

Our country is experiencing a national mental health emergency where too many people are ending up at the point of crisis in need of hospital care when they could have been supported at an earlier stage. This is harmful to people for whom acute hospitals are not the right setting, as well as for other people who may need these beds to treat their physical needs.

 

We’re seeing the human cost as people wait days in A&E for mental health beds and people experiencing complex mental health problems struggle without help.

 

Supporting the mental health of residents is part of Watford Boroughs Council

Plan.

 

As part of the Council’s delivery plan, we are committed to ‘Support improved

health and well-being across the town’ and currently act as a voice for residents into the Integrated Care System to help achieves this.

 

Working with a range of organisations across Watford & Hertfordshire to support mental health we have taken actions including resourcing and supporting:

 

·        Watford Healthy Hub, which is supported by Mental health Professionals.

·        Dementia Friendly Watford.

·        Menopause support for residents.

·        Business Wellbeing – 6 Steps Pledge.

 

This Council Believes:

 

We need to see commitment to providing the right care in the right place, at the

right time, ending decades of underfunding and neglect to services.

 

A fundamental shift of resource to more services in the community is needed to help to prevent people from reaching the point of crisis. This will have benefits for people, and for the economy by keeping more people in the workforce.

 

Early intervention to prevent people from experiencing a mental health crisis and to minimise the number and duration of in-patient stays should be a priority for mental health.

 

We should continue lead the way in making Watford a diverse, happy and healthy town and support mental health by:

1. Putting our residents, community groups and local organisations at the

heart of decisions for improved mental health in Watford.

2. Be a role model for other Councils in supporting employee mental health.

3. Ensure we make future corporate decisions that put wellbeing at the heart

of them.

4. Campaigning for more resource to be allocated by the UK Government

towards mental health for local councils.

5. To act as a role model for other organisations by completing the Business

Wellbeing 6 Steps Pledge to improve mental wellbeing within Watford

Borough Council for its employees.

6. To request that all future sub-contractors for Watford Borough Council are working towards supporting the well-being of their employees.

 

This Council Resolves To:

 

Request the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

 

1. Expressing that this Council believes there is a mental health emergency

and that there should be an urgent significant increase in the amount of

funding made to mental health services, so that there is parity of treatment

between physical and mental health and that there should be more funding

to further support the provision of resources for local councils to deliver

mental health improvements for their residents.