The launch of the Covenant was planned to coincide with the mental health awareness campaigns Time to Talk Day on 3rd February and Children's Mental Health Week, from 7th to 13th February.
Held at MPFT’s headquarters, St George’s Hospital in Stafford, the launch was attended by members of the Stafford Mental Health Network who have signed up to the Covenant, including Cllr Ann Edgeller, National Farmers Union, MOD Stafford and Staffordshire Police.
The Covenant enables organisations in Stafford to show their support for the Network and their commitment to supporting local people with their mental health and wellbeing.
Organisations who have signed up to the Covenant will display it in their businesses, along with postcards providing details on a range of support available to Stafford residents.
Signatories of the Covenant have committed to:
- Challenging stigma wherever it appears
- Championing the rights of children and young people in Stafford to help them to achieve their maximum potential
- Reaching out to rural and isolated communities in Staffordshire
- Contributing to finding innovative solutions to mental health services for all
The Covenant was developed by members of the Network, which was launched by Theo Clarke MP with MPFT on World Mental Health Day in October 2020.
The Network will hold regular mental health roundtables, where organisations and stakeholders can come together to discuss mental health matters.
Stafford residents can find more information about the Covenant and details on how to access local mental health support on MPFT’s website: https://gettinginvolved.mpft.nhs.uk/mental-health-covenant. Here, you can also sign up to Covenant and download posters and postcards to display.
Representing MPFT at the launch of the Covenant, Chief Executive Officer Neil Carr, said: “I am delighted that so many diverse organisations have come together and are committed to challenging the stigma around mental health. Talking openly about mental health is one of the best ways of ensuring people get the help they need, when they need it. I would encourage both individuals and organisations to show your support and sign the Network’s Covenant.”
Theo Clarke, MP for Stafford said: “Since founding the Stafford Mental Health Network in 2020, it has grown from strength to strength, and I was pleased last year to secure the Prime Minister’s backing for the Network. From hosting mental health roundtables with members of the Network it was clear to me that it would be helpful for Stafford residents to have clearer information about the support available in Stafford.
“I am delighted to be launching the Stafford Mental Health Covenant at Stafford’s St George’s Hospital. Thank you to all the members of the Network who have helped develop the Covenant and all the local organisations which have already signed up to the Covenant.
“I recently presented the Covenant in Parliament to Gillian Keegan MP, the Mental Health Minister, and I am pleased that she supports what we are doing with the Network and I will continue to work with the Mental Health Minister to improve mental health provision in Stafford.”