COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE ICS SIGN UP TO PREVENTION CONCORDAT FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH
5 December 2023
Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System (ICS) has reaffirmed its commitment to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and prevent poor mental health by becoming a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health.
The concordat is a statement that organisations can sign up to in order to signal their commitment to reduce mental health inequalities by taking action to ‘support the mental health of the whole population, those at greater risk of poor mental health, and those receiving treatment.’
It commits signatories to partnership working, across organisational boundaries, to address mental health challenges and signatories include local authorities, health and wellbeing boards, ICSs, and other health partnerships. Working together across these organisations allows the health and care system to address the wider determinants of health and wellbeing - a range of social, economic, and environmental factors that influence people’s health such as housing, employment and green spaces - which both tackles existing issues and reduces the likelihood of poor mental health developing.
Focusing on prevention and early intervention not only improves the mental health and wellbeing of local people and communities, but it also reduces demand for services and has benefits for employers, education providers and emergency services.
The health and care system in Coventry and Warwickshire was granted signatory status after its application was unanimously accepted by the panel who were considering the action plan they had submitted. The ICS were commended for the breadth and depth of understanding of mental health needs across Coventry and Warwickshire and the level of partnership working that was taking place.
The local action plan includes intervening at key points during people’s lives where differences can be made in promoting or improving health and wellbeing. For example, working with schools and colleges to help them promote positive mental health amongst students, and ensuring new parents or carers are aware of evidence-based parenting programmes that can help them adjust and adapt to their new responsibilities.
There will also be a campaign to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing services that are available, such as Wellbeing for Warwickshire and Wellbeing for Coventry, to make sure people know they can access support if they need it.
Partner organisations from across Coventry and Warwickshire who were involved in the application to become a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health include NHS organisations, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, voluntary and community sector organisations, Health and Wellbeing Boards, and the Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Health Collaborative.
Danielle Oum, Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire ICS, said:
“Coventry and Warwickshire ICS becoming a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health is fantastic news and demonstrates our commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of our local communities. Promoting better mental health and wellbeing is a priority for the ICS and I’m delighted that the work that we are currently doing, and the work we have planned for the future, was recognised by the panel.
“In particular, I’m pleased the panel acknowledged our clear prioritisation of tackling mental health inequalities and the level of buy-in there is from across the health and care system. If we are to be successful in improving mental health and wellbeing across Coventry and Warwickshire, then it will be important for us to continue to develop collaborative working across system partners and in partnership with the local population.
“I look forward to us building on becoming a signatory to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health and ensuring we continue to do everything we can to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for the communities we serve.”
For more information on the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health, please click here