Carol Sewell UNISON Vice President welcomed all to conference and informed conference of the security arrangements for today in preparation for Jeremy Corbyns visit, Carol went on to say that Jeremy will be carrying out a question and answer session after his speech.
“Mental Health Champions” is the first Motions to be discussed, emotional accounts were given from delegates to move this motion and special mention went to the “time to change” initiative.
Our branch officers will be taking first aid mental health training as part of the “time to change” initiative you can read more by clicking on the logo here…
Julie Walker is a “Time to Change Champion” and will be taking a lead on mental health issues for our branch.
heres a short video to explain more
Heres a few facts about Mental Health that you may not be aware of
- Myth: Mental health problems are very rare.
- Fact: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.
- Myth: People with mental illness aren’t able to work.
- Fact: We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem.
- Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty, it’s nothing.
- Fact: 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem.
- Myth: People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable.
- Fact: People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence.
- Myth: People with mental health problems don’t experience discrimination
- Fact: 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.
- Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings.
- Fact: Nearly three in four young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their mental health problems.
You can read more about this here
These motions aims to do the following,
- Encourage other regions within UNISON to consider taking forward this initiative and develop similar schemes in their regions;
- Seek to encourage an interest in good mental health by education and publicity, particularly in UNISON publications, e.g. ‘U’ and ‘Focus’ magazines and the UNISON website;
- Work with Labour Link to draw attention to MPs and members of devolved governments the need to fund good mental health services.
- Take a lead in promoting awareness of mental health issues
Develop a strategy to enable and support members with mental health issues, allowing - Them to feel valued and able to become involved with UNISON
- Ensure accessibility to Mental Health Champions at conferences, training and policy days
- Promote tolerance of mental health issues at UNISON events.
These motions were approved and showed the importance and commitment of mental health issues for our members.