Council backs work to support mental health crisis

Another council has put pen to paper on a local declaration setting out how they will work together with partners to support people experiencing mental health crisis.

Improved information sharing and partnership working, prevention and early intervention were just some of the commitments made as South Cambridgeshire District Council added their weight of support to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat Declaration.

Each agency also agreed to work to together to ensure that no matter what agency a person approaches they are “kept safe and helped to find the support they need”.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Chairman signed the document at a Working Together for Mental Wellbeing Leaders Event, organised by the South Cambs Local Health Partnership which is attended by councillors.

Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind in Cambridgeshire, said: “We are so delighted that South Cambs District Council has signed the concordat, they have supported our work to date and will continue to be vital partners going forward. Changes are afoot, people experiencing mental health crisis are finally being heard.”

Cllr Sue Ellington, said: “It is vital that all local councils, groups and bodies all work together to provide the right support for people when they are at their greatest time of need. As a Council we have been playing a very active role in this already, but signing the declaration puts pen to paper on the importance. This declaration is fantastic partnership working for the good of our communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire, Sir Graham Bright, said: “All agencies have a part to play to ensure those in mental health crisis receive the right care at the right time and from the right person. It’s great news to see South Cambridgeshire District Council pledging their support for this aspiration through the signing of the declaration.”

Signatories of the declaration already include: Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust, East of England Ambulance Service, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, BeNCH Community Rehabilitation Company, British Transport Police, MIND Cambridgeshire and MIND Fenland and Peterborough. It has been supported by HealthWatch Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and the NHS Local Area Team.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Crisis Declaration was the eighth to be loaded onto the National Concordat Website www.crisiscareconcordat.org.uk.