Skills for Care has signed up to the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health, which brings organisations together to tackle poor mental health.

The Prevention Concordat, co-ordinated by Public Health England (PHE), is the first time that agencies across the community and care sectors have come together to make prevention a priority for mental health.

One in six adults in our communities experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in their lifetime. This is influenced by the environment in which they are born, grow, live and work, which means that many of these problems can be prevented.

Juliet Green, National Lead for Prevention at Skills for Care, said: “Skills for Care becoming a signatory demonstrates our clear commitment to cross-sector, prevention-focused action to recognise the importance of better mental health.

“We know that skilled and motivated adult social care workers can directly have a positive impact on people’s mental health by working in a preventative way, and we want to ensure that they have the right skills and knowledge to do this.”

Karen Morse, National Lead for Mental Health at Skills for Care, added: “We know that, for many people who need care and support, there is an increased risk of mental ill-health. The adult social care workforce is central to supporting their mental wellbeing and recognising when people might need some extra help.

“Along with our strategic partners, we’ll work collaboratively to promote, protect and improve the mental health of people that use adult social care services across England, and those that work in the sector, through our network of leaders and providers.”

www.skillsforcare.org.uk