Councils make pledge to Mental Health Challenge

Both Adur and Worthing councils have pledged their support to the Mental Health Challenge, which has been designed by a number of organisations, including Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Cllr David Simmons, cabinet member for health and wellbeing for Adur, has recently become the council’s member champion for mental health.

He has worked for many years with local partners to raise awareness of mental health issues across the district, tackling the stigma attached.

He said: “Many of the decisions made by the council, or services they provide, often have an influence on mental health of our community. Signing up to this challenge gives us the opportunity to ensure that consideration of positive mental health issues is kept at the forefront of everything we do.”

The aim of the pledge is to enable local authorities to promote mental wellbeing and improve the lives of people with mental health conditions.

The role of the member champions is to promote mental health issues in all areas of the council’s business and in the wider community.