An update on the prevention and resilience work which has been taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo Robins and Gordon Kochane, Shropshire Council Public Health

Gordon Kochane and Jo Robins, Consultants in Public Health, introduced their report and gave a presentation (copies attached to signed minutes) which provided an update on the prevention and resilience work which had been taking place during the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

Mr Kochane outlined the key activities that had been implemented by the Mental Health Resilience and Prevention Group which had been set up early in the pandemic period. 

Jo Robins referred to the work of the Children and Young People Task and Finish Group.  A gap in supporting young people’s mental health pre CAMHS referral had been identified.  Training was being made available to teaching staff to prevent children from being passed between organisations and teams.  An opportunity had arisen to work with Leeds University Action Research Project to bid for work with schools particularly in relation to Covid19 and preparation for returning to school.  This would give a base line for all schools re mental health and wellbeing of children.  

Jo Robins also spoke to slides provided by Jo Oliver, HR Officer, Shropshire Council, who had been unable to access the meeting.  These covered the importance of being able to talk openly about mental health and feeling part of an organisation.  The Yammer Groups at Shropshire Council had been well used, and these had really helped open up conversations about mental health and linked people together.

Heather Ireland, Mind, had been unable to access the meeting but the slides she had provided referred to the close liaison established with Shropshire Council throughout the response to Covid-19. The work and reach could not have been achieved without this vital partnership work. The restructuring of Shropshire Mind activities during the pandemic had allowed Stress, Anxiety and Wellbeing Zoom sessions.  Feedback from these sessions had been excellent indicating they had provided invaluable support for anxiety and stress issues.  Even though lockdown was lifting there was still a need for these. 

Tanya Miles, Assistant Director Social Care and Health, commented on the fantastic partnership work which had brought mental health to the front and centre of the response to lockdown.  She expressed thanks for all the partnership had achieved. 

In response to a question, Jo Roberts agreed that support for parents and young people over the summer holiday would be needed and it might be that the Zoom sessions could be adapted for young people.  The Big White Wall would also be available to them.   The Group was giving a lot of thought to support for young people and asked for endorsement and support of the Health and Wellbeing Board in its work.

The Director of Public Health commented on the amazing work undertaken and confirmed that mental health would always be a priority for the Board and the Public Health Team, with the aim of achieving equal parity for mental and physical health.  The launch of the Big White Wall would be very exciting and partnership working would continue after Covid to deliver a lot more.

The Portfolio Holders for Adult Social Care and Health and Children’s Services endorsed all that had been said about the great work and hoped the momentum could be kept up.

Jackie Jeffery, voluntary sector representative, also endorsed all that had been done  and stressed the importance of continuing to work in this way, especially if a surge of  mental health issues emerged coming out of lockdown. Support would particularly be needed for those who were vulnerable or had no digital access.   

The Chairman added his thanks for the excellent work undertaken.  He asked about a comment in the action plan about the 24 hour helpline.   Mr Kochane explained that this action referred to the Mental Health Trust 24 hour helpline.  Information would be sent out to PCNs from the CCGs to clarify that anyone with a mental health concern about themself or another could call it.

The Chair referred to the Board’s discussions about low level interventions for mental health support.  Members considered issues around measuring the outcomes of these so the need to continue to fund them could be demonstrated.  Officers were confident that outcomes could be demonstrated for this purpose, with many projects having built in outputs. 

RESOLVED:

To be aware and recognise the range of activities that have been able to be progressed in a short period of time.

To consider whether there are any other opportunities that could be explored supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our residents.