Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, Corporate Director of Resources and Director of Public Health that provided an overview of the ongoing good work to improve mental health and wellbeing. The report also provided an overview of the Mental Health at work commitment and proposed that Durham County Council becomes a signatory to the commitment (for copy of report see file of minutes).

Councillor C Hood, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services explained that improving mental health resilience and wellbeing was one of four priorities of the current Health and Wellbeing Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Good mental health was crucial to good overall health and wellbeing and poor mental health not only impacted on the person but families, friends, relationships, and the wider society.

Durham County Council recognises the importance of good workforce mental health and wellbeing. In 2018 the council became a signatory to the ‘Time to Change’ employer pledge which supported us to create a more open and understanding culture around mental health and tackle associated stigma. As an organisation the Council celebrated positive mental health by supporting annual campaigns which provided an opportunity to bring staff together to focus on the benefits of good mental health. The closure of the ‘Time to Change’ charity had resulted in the Council looking to the mind at mental health at work commitment as a structured approach to support and working to continually develop and improve approaches to make DCC a happy and healthy place to work. Mental Health at Work commitment is a national movement comprising a set of six standards and supporting actions. It would help assist the Council in supporting workplace mental health, increase confidence in dealing with issues. Councillor Hood highlighted that a stigma still presented people having open conversations about their own Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Councillor R Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council explained that the Council were aware of the impact that poor mental health could have on people and their work. As a signatory to the former ‘Time to Change’ pledge, Councillor Bell was pleased to see that the Council were looking to progress in this area of work to the Mind Mental Health at Work Commitment. This would add to the support the Council currently provided by way of the Employee Assistance Programme, Work on Wellbeing and the Wellbeing portal, ensuring that key actions were in place to achieve better mental health outcomes. As a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Bell was aware that mental health was a key public health priority. Signing the commitment would not only benefit staff, but also sent a clear message to the wider community that mental health was a key priority for the Council.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.