To mark World Mental Health Day, Sandwell Council is launching their new ‘Sandwell Better Mental Health Strategy 2024 - 2029’.

Developed by the council’s Better Mental Health Partnership and with extensive consultation with the public and partner organisations, the strategy outlines 12 recommendations aimed at improving the mental wellbeing of Sandwell residents. 

The council is committed to enabling everyone to have the best mental health they can, at every stage of their life.  It recognises that for someone to have good “wellbeing” means more than just the absence of mental health difficulties and promotes a state of positive wellbeing, helping individuals recognise their abilities, manage normal stresses, work productively and contribute meaningfully to their community. 

Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jackie Taylor, said “There is still a lot of stigma, a lot of cultural stigma around mental health, but there is a lot of stigma around a lot of things.

“It’s for us to break that down and one of the best ways of doing that is this consistent talking about it, presenting it and making it a normal conversation.

“I firmly believe that if we do that then we will break the stigma, but not only that we will make it easier for other people.

“While it is important to provide timely, suitable and high-quality care for those experiencing mental health problems, the main aim of our Better Mental Health Strategy is to improve the wellbeing of everyone in Sandwell and prevent mental health issues in the first place.

“To do this, it is important to address the wider causes of poor health and reduce the social inequalities experienced in our diverse communities to provide the best possible chances for all people to have good wellbeing.

“By working together, we can build a community that celebrates our differences and similarities and is successful, hopeful, and strong.”