Improving mental health is a priority
AS we approach World Mental Health Day on October 10, it feels right to reflect on the last 18 months and recognise the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on everyone’s mental health. First though, a reflection that our care workers, in care homes and other care settings, have experienced some of the most traumatic times ever seen, and yet were still putting their residents and the most vulnerable before their own needs. Moreover, the amazing people of West Berkshire have stepped up to the mark and have supported each other where they could, creating local communities that perhaps hadn’t been there before or had been less visible in the past. It is heart-warming how resilient people can be when necessary and this has undoubtedly helped some of us through really dark times.
For those who have been isolated and unable to meet with their loved ones and friends, or to attend the day services and local groups they usually rely upon, this has been a particularly difficult time and may have consequences for their mental health and wellbeing into the future. Moving out of the pandemic is not easy for everyone – feelings of isolation remain for some, as well as fear about emerging back into ‘normal’ life and what that might lead to.
But West Berkshire Council are making sure we are working with our communities and our partners to get us all back on track.
At its meeting last week, the West Berkshire Health and Wellbeing
Board approved the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Berkshire West 2021-2030 (encompassing West Berkshire, Wokingham and Reading) – it will now go to the next full council meeting for final approval.
Priorities in the strategy include promoting good mental health and wellbeing for all children and young people as well as adults.
As part of the response, and working in partnership with Greenham Trust, the council established the Surviving to Thriving Covid-19 Mental Health Fund, with £100,000 from public health funding matched by the trust, to address diverse mental health needs arising because of the coronavirus pandemic and its restrictions – to date over £198,000 has been awarded to local groups and causes working on initiatives to help those suffering poor mental health as a result of the pandemic. A further £100,000 has now been provided between WBC and Greenham Trust to allow more applications for improving mental health and we encourage further bids (https://greenhamtrust.com / surviving-to-thriving-west-berkscovid-19-mental-health-fund) to add to the excellent work already under way.
GRAHAM BRIDGMAN
Deputy leader and executive member for health and wellbeing, West Berkshire Council
JOANNE STEWART
Executive member for adult social care