WIREDGOV

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to a report by the Commission for Equality in Mental Health on tackling the unequal risks of mental ill health 

“People’s mental health and wellbeing is affected by so much more than just the immediate health and care services available in their area.

“As this report identifies, someone’s risk of mental ill health can be increased due to their personal circumstances or the environment they find themselves in.

“Councils have a crucial role to play in issues affecting wider mental health, such as housing, skills, employment, transport and public spaces.

“If you live in good quality accommodation with convenient access to work, have the right skills to progress in life while being able to use your local leisure centre or public park, your chances of living a healthy and fulfilling life are much improved.

“We want to work with the new Government and the NHS to use councils’ unique position and expertise to support people via these essential public services, to improve the mental wellbeing of all of our communities.”

Report:  Government must tackle unequal risks of mental ill health, says Commission for Equality in Mental Health