A new charter designed to help organisations across Gwent strengthen their approach to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention has been launched by the Gwent Public Health Team at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
The Melo Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter provides a practical framework for organisations to support staff and the communities they serve. The pilot has been supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council, with both now signed up.
Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, Executive Director of Public Health and Strategic Partnerships at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “Mental health and suicide prevention are everyone’s business. We all have a role to play in creating workplaces and communities where people feel connected, supported and able to talk when things are difficult.
“The Melo Charter gives organisations a practical framework to turn that commitment into action. We are delighted that Caerphilly County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council has helped us pilot the Charter and are the first organisations to sign it.
“Building on this work, we are now working with our other local authority partners across Gwent to roll out the Charter more widely, helping organisations strengthen their contribution to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.”
Councillor James Pritchard, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be the first organisation in Gwent to sign the Melo Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter. Supporting the wellbeing of our employees and communities is a key priority for the Council. The Charter will help us build on the work we are already doing and strengthen our approach to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention.”
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to sign the Melo Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter. Supporting the charter and promoting Melo is one of the ways we can help people to manage their own health and wellbeing. This is central to our values and one of the commitments we made in our People Strategy and can help strengthen our approach to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention for the whole community as well as our own workforce.”
Melo is a free website providing mental health and wellbeing information and local and national support details at www.melo.cymru.
