This week sees health ministers from governments around the world gathering in London at the #GlobalMHSummit, united in their ambition to tackle mental ill health at its roots.
In preparation for the summit, the social campaign #theworldneeds is galvanising the collective wisdom and experience of thousands working in and affected by mental illness.
What #theworldneeds And What We’re Doing About It
At Mayden, our life’s work is changing what’s possible for clinicians and patients in mental health. Providing data analytics and digital tools that improve care delivery and outcomes, having a front row seat on the impact of the pioneering IAPT programme in the UK, and, well, being a bunch of human beings ourselves, we wanted to set out what we believe #theworldneeds.
We will continue in our mission to do all we can as a business (and as a bunch of human beings) to bring these things to pass. It’s what we’re here to do.
- Stigma free conversations
Campaigns like #timetotalk have made huge strides in reducing stigma, but it’s down to you and me – we all need the skills and courage to talk and listen about mental illness. Read more here about what we do to support one another at Mayden HQ. - Better care for children and young people
50% of mental health problems are established by the age of 14. Yet waiting times for children’s services run to months, or even years – a significant proportion of a child’s life. We believe that available healthcare resources need to be targeted at prevention and early intervention, not rationed to those who have become the most unwell whilst waiting. And services need to be able to access and interpret data, including from outcomes measures, to know that resources are being used in the best way possible for the next generation. - Positive workplaces, supportive employers
Workers spend roughly one third of their lives at work. Bad working environments can cause or exacerbate mental ill health. Good working environments can help to improve mental wellbeing. We need employers that understand how to support employees in their mental health challenges. Read more about what Mayden is doing for its own employees here. - Services available at a place and time that suits patients
Our digital therapy partners tell us that patients choose to access their services first thing in the morning and last thing at night. When are most NHS services open? During the working day. We need to redesign service delivery models in ways that work for patients. - Outcomes based care
Adherence to evidence-based interventions optimises outcomes. IAPT services collect patient outcomes data at every appointment to understand whether the treatment is making a difference. All mental health services need high quality treatment and outcome data to inform decision making and care pathways. - A well supported clinical workforce
You can’t pour from an empty cup. The mental health workforce in the NHS is dwindling at a shocking rate, with the latest reports showing that 2000 staff are quitting each month. This increases the strain on those remaining. Surveys on mental health and wellbeing from the British Psychological Society, the British Medical Association and others have shown alarmingly high levels of depression, anxiety and stress amongst the medical profession. We love the work of Becky Minton and others on wellbeing for the IAPT workforce. The wellbeing of the mental health workforce has to be a firm basis on which they are able to care for others. - Patients enabled and engaged in their care
Outcomes improve if patients are involved in their own care. Not only that, but engaged patients are less likely to DNA their appointments. We will continue to innovate apps, tools and features in our software products that give patients more and more input into their treatment and care record.
You can add to the conversation about what #theworldneeds on twitter.
