Local communities are central to mental health becoming a global priority
Today, World Mental Health Day, the National Mental Health Commission (the Commission) is calling for an increased focus on the role of communities across the nation. This is critical to achieving the World Federation for Mental Health’s call to action today for mental health and suicide prevention to be a global priority.
Achieving this as a global priority requires commitment at an individual and a community level. Concerted effort at those levels will drive a shift to a global priority.
Connections2022, the Commission’s opportunity to visit a diverse range of communities over the last three months, has highlighted the importance of the role of communities in the mental health and well-being of their people. There is strong support across all communities for their role in embedding social connection to be recognised and resourced. Social connection is the bedrock for mental health, well-being and effective suicide prevention.
“Fundamentally, it is our local communities who are most trusted and have the power to support our social and emotional needs, to respond to changing social and environmental conditions, and to respond to and support every person’s mental health and suicide prevention needs locally,” Commission CEO Ms Christine Morgan said.
“What is needed, clearly, is for the system to factor in local communities. To recognise their ability to empower, support and resource the members of their community, and to support them to undertake this role in a meaningful, practical and impactful manner.”
|
|
