What we are doing
We are focusing on collaborative approaches to improve access to and the standards of mental health care by breaking down the barriers between physical and mental health services. We are supporting people with severe and enduring mental illness and improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
The ICS mental health priorities have been revised in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and learning from contemporary evidence. Five priorities are providing a focus for this work, with detailed delivery plans for each area:
Our priorities
- Giving every child the best start in life: mental health and wellbeing (including maternity and perinatal). You can read our Children and Young People's Mental Health Strategic Transformation Plan here.
- Supporting local systems to develop and implement integrated models of care (implementation of community mental health framework for adults and older adults).
- Improving parity of esteem (valuing mental health equally with physical health) to reduce the mortality gap for people with mental health, learning disability and autism conditions).
- Reducing the life impact of mental health, learning disability and autism conditions (which includes creating and developing healthy and sustainable places and communities).
- Preventing and delivering the 'Zero Suicide Ambition' - to find out more about what we are doing in our region visit our suicide prevention network website.
North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network
Our North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network works together to take action to reduce suicide, so that fewer people die by suicide and we improve support for those affected. The network includes professionals from the NHS, local authorities, police, third-sector organisations, other relevant stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience of suicide.
Spotlight
‘Every Life Matters’ useful resource
Over 1.3 million households across the North East and North Cumbria received a booklet through their letterbox, developed by the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network with support from CNTW, offering advice to help those struggling to cope with their mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Signpost NENC
Signpost NENC is a mental health and wellbeing hub for people across the North East and North Cumbria and provides people with reliable sources of information about local mental health services and support available in their local area.
Who is involved
Senior Responsible Officers: Brent Kilmurray and James Duncan
Mental Health Programme Director: Gail Kay
Mental Health Programme Manager: Vicky Donegan
A governance structure is in place to enable operational, transformational and clinical actions to progress in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
Get involved
For general enquiries, please email: necsu.nencicsmentalhealth@nhs.net
Take a look at our staff wellbeing hub where there is lots of useful advice and tips to help your health and wellbeing.