Report attached about the work of the Mental Health Partnership Board.

Contact: Director of Adult Services, Andy Begley, Tel 01743 258911.

        The report of the Director of Adult Services was introduced (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which looked at the work of the Mental Health Partnership Board.  The Director of Public Health drew attention to the draft Adult Mental Health Needs Assessment, attached to the report.  The document was being shared as widely as possible in order to influence the way people saw mental illness.  The document set the context of both positive and negative aspects of mental illness and how common these were across the population.  The Director of Public Health informed the Board that Shropshire faired relatively well compared to elsewhere.

        The Director of Public Health urged partner organisations to share the document in order to both encourage discussion and to influence future commissioning and development of services.

        The Chairman congratulated the Mental Health Partnership Board for its thorough piece of work which was extremely valuable and a first step towards a review of services.  The Chairman informed the Board that the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee had taken on some additional work to contribute to an emerging Mental Health Strategy.

        RESOLVED:  That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Report attached about the work of the Mental Health Trust.

Contact: Director of Adult Services, Andy Begley, Tel 01743 258911.

A regular update briefing paper (copy attached to the signed minutes) was introduced and amplified by the Director of Adult Services; it gave assurance to the Board on the work of the Mental Health Partnership Board and highlighted areas for closer consideration.

There had not been a lot of activity recently and therefore it was suggested that this item become a ‘for information’ item on the Board’s agenda in future and that a report only be made to the Health and Wellbeing Board by exception, which was generally agreed.

The issue of parity of esteem, valuing mental health equally with physical health for younger people was highlighted.  The Board was assured that this topic was being looked at.  It was proposed that this might be an item for the Health and Wellbeing Board to look at in more depth and perhaps from a more strategic point of view. 

          RESOLVED:

a)    That the information contained in the report be noted.

b)    That the Board encourage people to undertake the free training being provided by the Zero Suicide Alliance.

c)     That the issue of parity of esteem be included into the development of the Strategy for Mental Health.

d)    That it be noted the Health and Wellbeing Board Refresh was taking place at 10.00 am on 29^th March 2018.  All Board members were urged to attend or to send a substitute if they were not available.