Aberdeen City Council today (Tuesday 8 November) approved a proposal to establish a Mental Health Collaborative with a focus on the city’s children and young people.
Councillors approved the proposal outlined in a report submitted to the Education and Children’s Services Committee.
The committee also approved a plan to establish a Learners Voice Group to align with and inform the work of the collaborative.
The moves come in the wake of a multi-agency Health and Wellbeing summit held on 14 October at the Town House where partners were able to hear at first hand from children and young people about how best to respond to health and wellbeing needs together.
Among the participants were community planning partners including councillors, Public Health, the Third Sector as well as representatives from Scottish Government and their agencies. Children and young people also had the opportunity to direct key questions and comments to the delegates.
The partners agreed to establish cross-agency arrangements focusing on mental health and wellbeing from pre-birth to end of life. Through the development of the collaborative, support for all will consider carefully the high number of young people who may be affected by factors such as those impacted by compromised parental mental health, separated parents or young parents.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “It is clear that, more than ever, we have to step up our efforts to look after the wellbeing of young people.
“Every day, new and often severe social and psychological pressures are causing major anxiety in the lives of younger generations. There is still much to learn about their mental health concerns. By working together more closely, we can do more to help.
“Strengthening our partnership work will benefit individuals, families and the community. The new youth task force that we have set up is an important opportunity to consult and listen. The individual voices of those in need have to be heard.”
This Collaborative will take lead responsibility for considering a number of key improvement outcomes identified through the summit, an ongoing review of work and supporting sustainable and evidence-based impact.
Attendees at the Summit agreed that a follow up Summit should be held before the end of this school session.
Photograph shows: Councillors Martin Greig and Jessica Mennie at the Health and Wellbeing Summit