Reimagining Community Mental Health Provision

Tackle the social determinants of health, working with families, schools, policy makers. Addressing the root causes such as poor education, poverty, food insecurity, discrimination, childhood abuse. Most mental health problems begin between the ages of 15-25, so early intervention can have a big impact.

Presented by: Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro - Medical Director, The Wood Street Medical Centre, London; Professor, NOVA University, Lisbon Portugal

Investing in a Resilient  Generation

Just like many people are trained for physical first aid, they should be trained for how to identify early signs of mental health problems and what to do if someone tells them they are struggling . This is already happening in some countries, such as through Mental Health First Aid England, MHFA, in the UK, but it should be worldwide.

Presented by: Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro - Medical Director, The Wood Street Medical Centre, London; Professor, NOVA University, Lisbon Portugal

Mental Health First Aid

GPs can't provide full mental health care, but they work in networks with local charities, schools, and mental heatlh specialists. Each patient will have specific needs, so a specific staff member should work to coordinate their care between the GP surgery and third sector groups.

Presented by: Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro - Medical Director, The Wood Street Medical Centre, London; Professor, NOVA University, Lisbon Portugal

This solution might be more accessible to and flexible for young patients. It reduces waiting times to be seen by a trained professional.

Presented by: Professor Matthew Broome - University of Birmingham, School of Psychology

Doctors need to understand root causes so they can determine risks and pick up early signs of poor mental health in their patients and give them prompt advice. How a patient perceives their doctor during the consultation can impact how quickly they get better, therefore skills like communication are really important.

Presented by: Professor Norman Sartorius - President, Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes (AMH), Geneva

Information on The Rabbit Effect

In India, pressure from academic examinations leads to many young people taking their own lives. In 2020, one life was lost to suicide because of examinations, every 55 minutes.

Presented by: Shireen Yachu, Delhi, India

There is lots of research to show that connecting with nature has positive effects on mental and physical health. This solution proposes collaboration between schools, and local nature organisations, to increase young people's exposure to green spaces. This is an example of green social prescribing.

Presented by: Professor Matthew Broome - University of Birmingham, School of Psychology

Green Social Prescribing

This could include mental health first aid for new mothers, parenting programmes (including for fathers), targeted and intensive support for families living in/close to poverty.

Presented by: Professor Matthew Broome - University of Birmingham, School of Psychology

Mental Health Policy

For example, how sportswear brands communicate around health can either help to break through stigma and promote positive mental health , OR, it can have the opposite effect (intentionally or otherwise).

Presented by: Samantha Ford

Taking Responsibility