Mental Health and Self Esteem

Mental ill health prevalence is high in Nottingham and those most at risk usually live in the most deprived areas.  All groups are affected, but often people are unemployed and have few or no qualifications.  Nottingham has the highest level of adults of working age claiming incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance in the region.  Mental ill health is the reason given for a high proportion of incapacity benefit claims.  However, innovative cross-sector working is seeking to reduce the incidence.

What’s been achieved in Nottingham so far?

• A Joint Mental Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Action Plan which promotes best practice has been developed
  
• MALT have developed community-based early intervention services.  Since it was established in 2004, there has been an increase in referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) from 20 in 2003-04 to 140 in 2005-06
  

What are Nottingham’s targets?

• Increase the number of people known to secondary mental health services being supported in open employment, mainstream education or volunteering (Local Area Agreement)
  
• Reduce mortality from suicide and undetermined injury by at least 20% by 2010 (PCT Local Delivery Plan)

Who is doing what?

Partnership working aimed at improving mental health in Nottingham is strong.

• The Joint Mental Health and Wellbeing Group meets quarterly to raise issues and monitor the Mental Health and Inclusion action plan
  
• To support Mental Health Awareness week in October, the City Council and the PCT jointly organise an event to promote awareness and understanding of mental health and to involve mental health service users in activities for example in Libraries and at Leisure Centres  
  
• Best-top Healthy Links focuses some of its work on reducing isolation in the elderly people of Bestwood
  
• Cross-sector front line staff are offered a range of mental health training by the PCT Specialist Health Promotion Service
  
• The Leisure Services, YMCA and other providers are seeking to increase physical activity in the most vulnerable groups – either through physical exercise recommendation/referral schemes or through specifically supported programmes
  
• Nottingham City Council has employed a Mental Health and Well Being Adviser who has produced a Mental Health Strategy for Employees
  
• Positive Futures Healthy Living Centre supports local people with learning disabilities and has produced a Stop Bullying CD
  
• The Museums Outreach Team run initiatives such as Art Outlook which build self esteem and confidence
  
• The Libraries have developed health information services, reading groups and a ‘Books on Prescription’ scheme
  
• Work with Asylum seekers includes providing care and support for unaccompanied children and young people
  
• Nottingham City PCT is to carry out a stress audit among its own staff
  
• ‘Go 4 It’, a cross-sector partnership, offers fun based sporting activities for overweight children – evaluation has showed that after 3 months there had been a 9% increase in self esteem

Who are the main contacts in Nottingham?

• The Mental Health and Wellbeing Group 0115 915 8688
• Specialist Health Promotion Service for Mental Health 0115 942 8649

Want to know more?

• Nottingham City PCT Factsheet on Domestic Violence
  
• Nottingham City PCT Factsheet on Mental Health
  
• Nottingham Healthy Schools http://www.nottinghamhealthyschools.org.uk/ehw.html
• Nottinghamshire Health Care Trust is the main provider of secondary mental health services www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
  
• BBC Information on Mental Health http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/