{"id":3436,"date":"2017-01-16T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-01-16T10:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/?post_type=blog_post&p=3436"},"modified":"2021-08-02T14:43:46","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T13:43:46","slug":"alternative-routes-improving-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.powertochange.org.uk\/news\/alternative-routes-improving-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative routes to improving mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"
This Blue Monday, we want to celebrate the innovative ways community businesses are tackling mental health issues and promoting wellbeing across Britain.<\/p>\n
Last week the Prime Minister announced that the government\u2019s new approach to a \u2018shared society\u2019<\/a> would include a shared commitment to mental health. Transforming how we deal with \u2018Mental Health problems at every stage of a person\u2019s life: not just in our hospitals, but in our classrooms, at work and in our communities\u2019.<\/em> Recognising this, the Prime Minister put forward \u00a315 milion of extra funding for community clinics, crisis cafes and alternative places of safety. Good news for community businesses which are already helping local people manage their mental health. Here are some of the ways they are supporting communities to help themselves:<\/p>\n Based in an area of North Leeds where the average life expectancy stands 12 years below neighbouring suburbs, New Wortley Community Centre<\/a> is a health and wellbeing centre working in partnership with local GPs to tackle mental health issues. GPs prescribe \u2018social\u2019 support rather than clinical, encouraging patients to visit the centre. In New Wortley, where there is a high level of low self-esteem, mental health issues and isolation, this allows patients to access activities such as therapeutic gardening clubs, confidence clubs, support to combat alcohol misuse and an offender support scheme<\/a>.<\/p>\n We all get annoyed when transport is late or delayed. But for some people, having no access to transport, whether it is because they are elderly, sick or low-waged, can be very isolating, one of the biggest contributors to mental health problems.<\/p>\n Following the withdrawal of commercial bus services in Brighton, Cuckmere Community Bus<\/a> provides a bus service for local people, connecting people to vital services as well as friends and family, leading to greater wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n
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