The Highland Community Planning Partnership is launching a new resource to support mental health and wellbeing

The Highland Community Planning Partnership is launching a new resource to support mental health and wellbeing.

The service will signpost individuals and communities to trusted sources of support to raise awareness of where to get help in a crisis and how to develop skills and confidence in having conversations about mental health with loved ones.

The Partnership is launching the resource at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16 May 2021).

Cathy Steer, NHS Highland’s Head of Health Improvement, said: "Getting news from sources which may be unreliable can be very unhelpful and can make people feel more upset and anxious.

"Therefore the Mental Health Delivery Group, within the Community Planning Partnership, has created this new resource which includes a comprehensive list of reliable sources, which can help people to stay calm and safe.

"The Community Planning Partnership Mental Health Delivery Group People aims to provide appropriate support and facilitation in order that people in Highland will benefit from good mental health and wellbeing. 

"The group has developed this resource to help to support good mental health and help people to build and sustain resilience by providing a comprehensive overview of all the local and national sources of information and support."

Gwen Harrison, from the Highland Third Sector Interface, said: “We know that good mental health allows people to manage better though life’s challenges but ensuring that people know where they can go for support helps to ensure they don’t feel they have to cope alone. 

"This is especially important when so many people have been affected by the pandemic. In communities across Highland there are many options and activities available to support people in helping to maintain good mental health or to assist them on their recovery journey. This resource will help people to start exploring the options out there."

Inspector Judy Hill of Police Scotland Highlands and Islands Division said: "We have been working for a number of years with all Community Planning Partners to support a range of work and interventions to support good mental health in Highland.  This initiative offers a useful resource to everyone in Highland communities as it gives clear information about where to access support if it’s needed."  

For further information, please visit https://www.highlandcpp.org.uk/publications-and-reports.html