important in the drive to provide a new hospital – and the significant capital investment that this will require – that mental health requirements are not forgotten.
We need a whole community approach
Whilst the Government of Jersey, and Health and Community services in particular, has prime responsibility for delivering this strategy neither can do it alone nor in isolation. A new spirit of partnership and co-operation is required and Mind Jersey is committed to work constructively with the statutory services, and other partners, to implement many of these priorities.
Health Strategy where real attempts were made to engage with service users in the development of ideas and the identification of priorities.
Amongst the themes which emerged was strong recognition that prevention and early interventions can make all the difference, whether in adults (18-65), older people (65+) or most obviously in relation to children and young people.
A step change in the focus on young people who can be taught to understand their mental health, to look after it and to speak up as early as possible when they need help, would do a lot to reduce the impact on a range of services in the future. Sorting things out before they escalate can reduce suffering, save resources and take some of the escalating pressure off secondary services.
It has been estimated that only a third of the people who need it actually access any kind of support; those who do don’t always get what they need – there is a long way still to go. Changing the way in which islanders can access services, with more of them being provided in the community and addressing sometimes long waiting times, are also key priorities within the strategy.
It is also acknowledged that the current mental health estate is in need of significant and urgent investment. Inevitably this will take time, and will need to be phased, but it is very
Page 16 20/20 - Mental Health
We need to recognise that mental health is about more than health services alone. All Government departments should have one eye on wellbeing when making decisions. There’s little point in investing very significant sums in health and community services – to help people when they are unwell – if, at the same time, we are not working hard to make sure that everyone has a safe place to call home and that they are supported in their places of work or in school through the promotion and maintenance of good mental health and wellbeing.
This means that the Government of Jersey needs to bring together a
cross-governmental strategy for mental health that involves all organisations providing services to Islanders. This should include sustained investment in prevention and early interventions delivered through strategic partnership with the voluntary and community sector where there is often latent talent, experience and capacity.
Service users and their families should be much more closely involved in the design and delivery of services. The participation model, as developed by Mind Jersey in relation to children and young people, should be extended to encompass adult mental health services.
Only when we truly accept that all areas of our lives are impacted by and can affect our mental health, and start looking at all of this as part of one picture, will we really get to grips with one of the most pressing issues of our time.
We can do more with your help Mind Jersey is the Island’s leading local mental health charity, affiliated to Mind nationally. Every penny we raise in Jersey remains in Jersey.
We campaign to reduce stigma and increase understanding about mental health and mental illness. Our vision is of a society that promotes good mental health for all and treats people
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