At the start of National Mental Health Awareness Week (8th-14th May), recently elected Ryde East councillor Michael Lilley is calling on the Isle of Wight Council to make mental health a priority over the next 4 years.
Michael was elected as the first Green Party councillor on Isle of Wight during last week’s local elections. Michael was also re-elected onto Ryde Town Council and has been joined by fellow Green party member Nancy Farrell, who was elected to represent Ryde North East ward.
Cllr Lilley, who has championed the issues of mental health for over 30 years and over the last 3 years has campaigned to improve support services for the Island residents, says:
“I am overjoyed that the people of Ryde East voted for me and the work starts now. It is poignant that my first week in office is National Mental Health Awareness Week.
“1 out of 4 Island residents are severely depressed and anxious at any one time and this is caused by everyday life trauma. For me if we do not have a strong sense of our mental health well-being then we are not going to cope with the reality of the ups and downs of everyday life. We have to focus on supporting our community to be involved and happier. It is not acceptable that in 2017, mental health is the one of the major social injustices in the UK and World.”
Cllr Lilley adds:
“The Care Quality Commission report (2017) clearly states that the Isle of Wight’s Mental Health Services are unfit for purpose. We have to face up to this reality and not be divided by party lines, but establish an Isle of Wight Council taskforce working alongside the Health and Well-Being Board to set a 12 month plan to take our failed services to ones of excellence.
“Island residents deserve better and I am calling us all to unite and support people to improve their lives and become happier. We can start this week.”
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