Open Mental Health

Many of us have experienced the struggle to get the right mental health support for ourselves, or someone we love. Others don’t approach services at all.

This could be for a range of reasons including fear of being judged, not knowing what help is available or not perceiving their needs as great enough. 

The Open Mental Health Alliance was born out of the desire to ensure that there is ‘no wrong door’ to mental health services. The Open Mental Health Community Engagement Project aspires to take this one step on further

Our Community Engagement Workers are embedded within communities; listening to groups and supporting them to address gaps in provision. They do this by identifying funding to create new or adapt existing projects, working to reduce stigma and upskilling staff and volunteers to welcome people wherever they are on their mental health journey. This includes training them to deliver Five Ways to Wellbeing training - an evidence-based approach which helps people take simple steps to maintain or improve their mental health. 

In addition, we are now recruiting volunteer Wellbeing Champions to represent their community at events and meetings and share their knowledge about Open Mental Health.

The team is keen to connect with any groups who share our passion for increasing access to mental health support in Somerset, including (but not exclusively) those who work with the following people: 

• Veterans 

• Refugees 

• The neurodiverse community 

• Adults with learning disabilities

• The deaf community 

• Low-income communities

If you think your group might benefit from being involved, please get in touch with Helen Fielden, Project Manager: helen.fielden@sparksomerset.org.uk.

 

Open Mental Health provides 24/7 mental health support to adults in Somerset. Watch the video below find out more.