Response to the New Horizons Consultation (Based on the Consultation Events)
Organised by the Afiya Trust

The Afiya Trust organised three consultation events

• 23rd September in London
  
• 30th September in Liverpool 
  
• 1st October in Birmingham.

The events were organised in partnership with and with financial help and support from the

• National Survivor User Network
  
• Department of Health
  
• Liverpool PCT
  
• North West Strategic Health Authority
  
• Heal 8 
• Birmingham Midland Hearts

Around 200 people in total attended the three events.  

In addition to the regional events, we organised web-based consultation, using a questionnaire developed with NH consultation questions, along with some other questions looking at the future priorities in mental health work for BME communities and Afiya in particular. We received 48 responses to this.

The Afiya Trust welcomes the opportunity to respond to the New Horizons: Towards a Shared Vision for Mental Health (NH) consultation. We welcome the vision and life-cycle approach of the strategy and the fact that the document positions mental health within the work towards addressing the inequalities in society, with a focus on well being and prevention.

The NH document states that, by 2020, “inequalities for black and minority ethnic groups in access to and experience of mental health care will have disappeared” (p. 5). As an organisation invested in reducing inequalities in health for racialised communities, we see this as a welcome commitment on the part of the government and will hold the government to account.

Afiya also welcomes the broader human rights and equalities perspectives that underpin the NH document. The focus on tackling stigma and promoting social inclusion sits well within this perspective. The document also stresses the importance of cross-departmental and partnership working, which is also encouraging.

Clearly the NH document and strategy has the potential to bring about some much needed change in mental health service delivery and promotion of mental well being. While the Afiya Trust and the individuals and representatives of organisations who took part in the consultations we organised welcome the broader vision and values of the NH document, we have several concerns about both the process and the content of the document.

Please download the full report.

Downloads

• Response to the New Horizon Consultation