On the 10th of October 2022, Open Mental Health (OMH) successfully organised its first-ever roadshow. The event, which was hosted at the Cheese and Grain café in Frome was attended by the Mayor of Frome, Sara Butler and attracted over sixty members of the public. Butler commended OMH for working towards ensuring that people received the right kind of assistance for their mental health when needed.
“People shouldn’t have to be in a mental health crisis to receive help,” she said. Commenting on the turnout and participation.
Natalie Campbell, the Co-production Manager at Rethink observed that there were more people than had been expected.
“Because it was the first time we were organising it, we are really pleased by the community’s response,” she said.
The event, which ran from 10am-2pm on what was also World Mental Health day was aimed at creating community awareness about the various mental health support services available in Somerset and how to access them. The current energy and cost of living crises mean that more and more people are struggling not just to keep their heating on, but also to maintain their mental health. A recent study revealed that people with mental health problems are three times more likely to struggle with gas debt.
“The roadshow was a great opportunity for collaboration among the partners and a clear example of how we can all work together to ensure that regardless of which door someone in need of help walks through, they can be signposted to the information or service they need,” observed Ann Diment, a Health and Wellbeing officer with Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC).
Other members of the OMH alliance that attended the event included Mind in Somerset, Spark Somerset, Age UK, Watch Project and the NHS. Local artist Edgar Phillips, a recent Open Mental Health grant recipient also attended with his iconic large-scale glass Wings of the West.
Rebecca Lamb, Peer Support Connections Coordinator – Taunton & West Somerset said:
“The event was a true example of working together in partnership . Members of the public came with curiosity and left enthused by the services on offer. Having emerged from the isolating pandemic years, this event was a vibrant example of real life interactions by having people all together under one roof.“
Building on the day’s success, OMH plans to hold other roadshows across Somerset.