World Mental Health Day 2020 Blog
Blog from APCC’s national lead for Mental Health, Matthew Scott, PCC for Kent:
2020 has been a difficult time for us all.
World Mental Health Day this year is even more timely than ever and serves as an important reminder of the need to look after the mental health of ourselves and those around us.
That is why I am writing this blog to mark this important day to say again that it is okay to not be okay. Mental ill-health affects us all in different ways. There’s no denying that the re-introduction of necessary lockdown restrictions and the challenges they bring will contribute to the ongoing pressure many people feel at this time. However, there are people to talk to, to help us and to listen to us.
As the Association of Police & Crime Commissioner’s national lead for mental health, part of my role is to shine a light and delve deeper into issues that touch upon mental health nationally. This is why I have launched an inquiry into how this pandemic has impacted on our mental health.
The inquiry asks whether people with mental health problems are getting the right care, from the right people at the right time during the Covid19 pandemic?
I am inviting organisations, including those with experience of working with policing, to share their views on how Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown measures have affected your organisation and service users’ mental health.
This important project will help identify what has changed in the pre-Covid-19 landscape and provide an early indication of whether the policies and practices adapted at the time have worked and what needs to change going forwards. This is the action I am taking to aim for the goal of achieving #MentalHealthForAll.
You can find out how you and your organisation can help inform this work by visiting: https://www.apccs.police.uk/latest-news/covid-19-impact-on-mental-health-partners-and-policing/
As a public servant and as a Father I am also supporting #HelloYellow to stand with all young people on this day who are going through one of the most difficult times in generations. You do not have to tread this path alone and there are many charities who can offer support such as Young Minds (www.youngminds.org.uk).
We all deserve to have good mental health and support when we need it - #MentalHealthForAll