Mental Health Conference

Carnforth Rotary Mental Health Conference

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference organised by Carnforth Rotary was held on Friday 19th April at Crag Bank Village Hall.

The mobile unit "Promoting Health in Lancashire" attended the Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference to offer free health checks on a walk in basis.

 The event was well attended and there were good opportunities for networking with speakers and stall holders. President Arthur Jones opened the proceedings and introduced the speakers. 

"Adrian Leather is a NED of UHMB but was there in his capacity of CEO of Active Lancashire.

His presentation was about the importance of physical exercise to enhance, not only your physical well being but your mental

wellbeing too. It has long been accepted that a physical activity is helpful in relieving symptoms of depression. Adrian made the point

that the exercise should be moderate enough to produce breathlessness. He also made the observation that mentally and physically ‘fit’ people recovered from surgery quicker than less ‘fit’ people and on average left hospital 3 days sooner that others."

Gary O’Neil and Gary Malone are both From NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB. Gary O’Neil is Director for Population Health for South Cumbria whereas Gary Malone is the ICB Mental Health Commissioner for South Cumbria and Lancashire. Gary O’Neil gave an overview of some of the issues affecting mental health. Living in poverty being one example. Gary Malone told the audience of the various resources to help anyone who needs help with their mental health and told us that there is now more funding available to provide services locally by the use of outreach workers to bring the service to where it is needed and not just in a centralised location. He also said that he wants to work in partnership with many of the self-help groups in our area."

"Hannah Dring, an ‘Associate Psychological Practitioner’ Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT,  talked about the ‘Five Steps to Wellbeing’. Hannah informed the audience of her availability via the Ashtrees GP surgery."

The "Well Communities' [Morecambe) presentation was amazing with four people who have, and still use The Well to turn their lives around following lengthy periods in their lives when they were addicted to drug and/or alcohol. All four told us in a very frank and honest way about their lived experience which was very detailed and emotional for all present. Their bravery in having to courage to talk in public in such a frank manner should be applauded. Good luck to them all for an addictive free future."

Carnforth Rotary manned two displays at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference. Rotary information and Membership packs were available on one stall. The other stall had mental health related reading books used in Primary Schools together with information on our work with five RotaKids clubs.