Posted on: 6 October 2020
World Mental Health Day is a programme of the World Federation for Mental Health and is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). First observed in 1992, the theme for this year’s event is 'mental health for all'.
The world is experiencing the unprecedented impact of the current global health emergency due to COVID-19 that has also affected the mental health of millions of people. We know that the levels of anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and restrictions, uncertainty and emotional distress experienced have become widespread as the world struggles to bring the virus under control and to find solutions.
In West Yorkshire and Harrogate, our ambition is to work with our six local places (Bradford district and Craven, Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Wakefield and Leeds) to support delivery of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health the NHS Long Term Plan and our Partnership Five Year Plan for people with mental health, learning disabilities and autism.
Dr Sara Munro, CEO Lead for WY&H HCP Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism; and CEO for Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:
“World Mental Health Day reminds us that the work we do as a Partnership every day to improve mental health for the people who live in West Yorkshire and Harrogate is important and far-reaching. We know that good mental health is absolutely fundamental to quality of life for all of us and we strive to transform the services that people use so that they are the best that they can be.
Our Partnership ambition is clear - we will achieve a 10% reduction in the gap in life expectancy between the 220 000 people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autism and the rest of the population by 2024. In doing this we will focus on early support for children and young people. World Mental Health Day is a welcome moment for us to focus on this work and reconfirm our commitment to mental health for all.”
Wendy Tangen, Clinical Services Inclusion Lead Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and member of the Partnership’s BAME network said: “The impact of COVID-19 on our lives has been considerable and this has resulted in people feeling the emotional strain of the disruption to our lives. It’s important that we all use World Mental Health Day to reflect on how we’re feeling as well as reaching out to anyone who we think is going through a tough time. I want to reiterate the message of ‘it’s ok not to be ok’.”