Andy Bell

Chief Executive

Dear friend,

Welcome to our first email newsletter of 2024. We’ve had a busy start to the year, with two reports in January. Today we launched new research exploring the relationships between racism and mental health, drawing on research in Bradford District and Craven and highlighting the huge value of the voluntary sector in overcoming systemic barriers.

The second finds out how health services in England have been reaching out to offer physical health checks to people with a mental illness. Our research explored how outreach projects have helped to ensure people get equitable access to a service they’re entitled to but don’t always get.

We’ve also shared a great new podcast with Cllr Claudia Turbet-Delof, who told us how her experiences of injustice drive her to make a difference locally as part of our free-to-join Mentally Healthier Councils Network.

We have lots more to share this year and we’re as determined as always to pursue equality and justice in mental health. But we can’t do it without you. Support us today.

Pursuing racial justice in mental health

Research shows that racism can cause psychological trauma, anxiety and depression. But it also stops people from getting help when they need it.

This report explores the barriers that people from racialised communities can face in getting mental health support and shares insights from Bradford and Craven about how the voluntary sector can help to overcome them.

Reaching out

People living with severe mental illness face a 15 to 20 year shorter life expectancy than the general population. This is largely due to physical illnesses that could be prevented or treated.

One of the ways to tackle this inequality is by ensuring everyone with severe mental illness is supported to access an annual physical health check. This report explores outreach initiatives that can help to achieve this.

Thea Joshi is joined by Claudia Turbet-Delof, a local councillor in Hackney and person centred therapist. Claudia shares how her experience of growing up in poverty in Bolivia, moving to the UK and facing depression and racism drive her ambition for mental health to be a fundamental human right.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Soundcloud. A full transcript can be found on our website.

Mental health services in the UK in 2023: what the latest NHS Benchmarking findings tell us

by Andy Bell

The Mentally Healthier Councils Network is bringing together people working in local government to champion mental health in our communities. We are hosting a series of regional launch events. Join our network through the button below and keep an eye out for an online launch event for your region.