Mosaic unveiled to promote mental wellbeing
Councillor Garry Shortland joined service users at the Chard Day Service, in Somerset, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of mental health and stigma in the workplace.
Service users presented the councillor with an original piece of artwork produced by themselves to depict mental wellbeing at the event called “Breakdown to Breakthrough’ organised by supported housing charity, Carr-Gomm and Chard Intentional Peer Support Group.
Cllr Garry Shortland said: “Maintaining good mental health is important to help lead full and happy lives. The more we talk about mental health issues – within our communities – the easier it is to tackle the stigma associated with it. Increasing awareness will hopefully encourage more people to seek the help and realise that there is support available.”
He adds: “I must congratulate everyone involved in this community led initiative – particularly the peer support group who spearheaded the event”.
Local people, health professionals and community leaders attended the event and heard from speakers about how the impact of mental health and how to break down barriers and challenge the people’s perceptions, as well as, learn practical tips to aid recovery and improve mental wellbeing.
Speaking at the event Edward Colgan, Chief Executive of the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust has made significant steps to change the way that their services were delivered through the modernisation of inpatient wards and the development of a wide range of community services close to people's own homes. These have enabled staff to work alongside people, supporting individuals to take control of their lives and actively manage their own well being."
Other guest speakers included:
Ann Ley, research psychologist, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, who spoke about her research into stigma associated with mental health in the workplace as well as research into peer support groups.
Nick Wadham who facilitates a creative writing group to help others explore their experiences spoke of his own experience of how he overcame his own mental health issues. He plans to turn the writing group’s stories into a book to reassure others facing similar experiences that they are not alone and there are practical ways to recover from mental ill-health.
Lorraine Moran, Local Services Manager, said: “Carr-Gomm’s day service is committed to promoting recovery to enable people to take back control of their own mental wellbeing and to maintain and/or rebuild meaningful lives. We aim to help individuals identify their aspirations and interests, inspire hope and raise people’s expectations to increase self belief and self worth and feel part of their community.
