New mental health support network gets Prime Minister's backing
The Prime Minister has given his backing to a new network set up to support people with mental health issues.
The Stafford Mental Health Network (SMHN) has been launched to enable regular collaboration between organisations in Staffordshire helping people with mental health issues, including veterans.
It is also hoped the network, which was launched by Stafford MP Theo Clarke and the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT), will raise awareness of services available to people across the county.
In this week's PMQs Mr Johnson was asked to commit to working with Ms Clarke and SMHN to improve mental health provision in Stafford.
He agreed and added: "We've been supporting mental health throughout the pandemic, particularly focusing on the mental health needs of children and young people."
Conservative MP Ms Clarke recently visited both St George’s & County hospitals, and held a mental health roundtable which brought together a number of organisations from across Stafford to discuss the issue.
She said: “I feel it is vital to continue this important conversation about mental health in Staffordshire.
"I am therefore pleased to launch the Stafford Mental Health Network with MPFT, enabling organisations and stakeholders to come together regularly to discuss mental health matters and provide my constituents with clearer information as how to access suitable mental health support.”
Neil Carr, chief executive of MPFT, said that by working together it was possible to "improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the people of Stafford".
"I am keen to raise the profile of the support available so that people don’t struggle on their own and in silence," he added.
