6. 5. Statement: ‘Together for Mental Health’

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:33 pm on 11 October 2016.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 4:33, 11 October 2016

Thank you for the statement, Cabinet Secretary, and for the launch of the strategy yesterday. It was a busy day for you on World Mental Health Day 2016 with events at Hafal, the Samaritans and others. You will have heard, as well, the inspirational speech by Nigel Owens, talking about removing the stigma and talking openly about mental health issues, which we all need to do. Could I ask him, in terms of community resilience, what role he thinks initiatives such as Maesteg becoming a dementia-friendly town, the parish of Kenfig Hill and some of the churches joining together to become dementia-friendly parishes, the men’s shed movement—the first one in the UK was in Tondu in my constituency, but now is in Maesteg and is spreading throughout the country—and the work of champions in mental health, such as Mark Williams in Ogmore Vale, championing perinatal mental health, which is touched upon in this strategy, and also men’s mental health as well—? Isn’t it right that these people and these organisations will underpin the success of this strategy?