Region’s Ambulance Service Makes Ground-breaking Commitment to Tackle Poor Mental Health in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has committed to tackling poor mental health in Yorkshire and the Humber by signing up to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health from Public Health England (PHE).

Working closely with PHE, the Trust is making significant steps towards promoting good mental health and preventing mental health problems.

One in six adults experiences at least one diagnosable mental health problem in their lifetime. This is influenced by the environment in which we are born, grow, live and work, meaning many of these problems can be prevented.

Having good mental health is important because it can help us to be more resilient, feel good and function well, have more positive relationships with those around us and deal with difficult times now and in the future.

The Prevention Concordat marks the first time agencies across the community and care sectors have come together to make prevention a priority for mental health.

The commitment from Yorkshire Ambulance Service includes the roll-out of mental health first aid training for managers and supervisors, promotion of the Time to Change campaign to encourage staff to talk about their mental health and the provision of support for staff following traumatic events.

Dr Julian Mark, Medical Director at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:
“Our commitment to improving the mental health of our patients and staff is further endorsed by signing up to the Concordat.  Bringing together information, data, resources and best practice gives us a common understanding of the challenges many people face and what we can do to support them.”

Promoting good mental health is everyone’s responsibility and can only be achieved if organisations – including local authorities, NHS trusts, businesses, local communities, and religious groups – work together at local and national level.

Lily Makurah, national lead for public mental health at PHE, said:
“We’re delighted that Yorkshire Ambulance Service has joined the growing list of organisations signing up to our Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health.

“This is designed to help communities promote good mental health and prevent mental health problems. Through local and national action across sectors, we can all contribute to improving mental health and wellbeing and reducing stigma for everyone.”

By signing up to the concordat, Yorkshire Ambulance Service is not only showing public leadership in addressing mental health problems in local communities; they are also putting effective prevention planning arrangements in place, using resources from PHE.

As well as recognising that mental health is as important as physical health, this represents a movement away from stigma and fear, and towards achieving a fairer and more equal society.