BME Mental Health Consultation

Please Have Your Say!

Why is New Horizons so important?

Around one in six of us experience a mental health problem at any one time and the cost to society is rising. The ten-year national service framework (NSF) for mental health, which has helped to transform services, ends later this year. In its place, we need a new and equally powerful approach to continue to improve mental health care and mental well-being. Poor mental health disproportionately affects BME communities as the statistics readily back up. Within BME communities some sections of the community are faring worse than others with asylum seekers and refugees increasingly suffering additional mental health difficulties following previous traumatic experiences. These figures are unacceptable and more needs to be done to ensure adequate services are available.

Poor mental health is a national concern of real economic significance. Mental ill-health also has a personal impact on relationships, jobs and physical health. Mental health problems are estimated to cost the nation £77bn a year. Improving mental well-being and mental health services will benefit society both financially and socially.

New Horizons moves the agenda forward proposing a cross-Government, multi-agency alliance to tackle the root causes of poor mental health and get support to people where and when they need it most. It has taken 18 months to get the document ready for consultation and what you say matters as once New Horizons is finalised, it will shape and support both national and local mental health initiatives.

The consultation runs from 23 July to 15 October 2009

BEAM has organised a regional consultation event which is being sponsored by NHS East Midlands so that BME organisations can have their say about the future of mental health services. We are working in partnership with the African Women’s Empowerment Forum and Co-operative Community Action in Nottingham and Voice4Change England and Race on the Agenda Nationally.

Please attend the event which takes place on the 1st October 2009 at Hyson Green Youth Club. See flyer and booking form for further details.

Consultation documents are available from:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_103144