Juliet Lyon CBE, Independent Chair of the Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance.
On the 23rd of September 2022, Juliet Lyon CBE became Open Mental Health Independent Chair. Here below, she shares her initial thoughts about the partnership.
When I first heard about Open Mental Health Somerset I was intrigued by the concept of ‘no wrong door’. What does it mean? How could it work in practice? So often in my work in mental health, and more recently in health and justice reform, I have heard from people and their families about how hard it is to gain the support and treatment, advice and information, that is often urgently needed. Too often people find themselves mired in bureaucracy, trying to navigate inaccessible, disjointed systems or queuing for services only to be told they are behind the wrong door.
During my first month as independent chair of OMH I have been learning about what happens when a genuine alliance is formed between voluntary sector partners with shared principles and objectives, the strength and durability of the partnership with the NHS and how services connect to support people across the county.
I can see how the alliance stepped up to meet mental health need during the pandemic. This has helped to establish sound working relationships and a solid foundation from which to work as we face an economic slowdown, a cost-of-living crisis and political uncertainty – not just in the UK but across Europe. Ensuring people have the resources and services they need for their mental wellbeing has never been more important.
One of the most effective ways of responding to mental health need is to involve local authorities, VCSEs and experts by experience in the development, implementation and oversight of mental health services and outreach. Because these groups are in regular contact with those who need these services the most, they understand what the needs are and how to respond to them.
This is exactly what the Open Mental Health partnership is doing. In the few weeks since joining, I have learnt of the co-production happening among VCSE members. I have seen how passionate and committed everyone is about ensuring that people get the help they need, when they need it. A thoughtful model or template is developing in Somerset that could be adapted and applied in counties across the country. This will be underpinned by good recording and thorough-going evaluation.
I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the coming months and hope that together we can make a significant contribution to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Somerset and beyond.