KYP hosts mental health workshop

KYP hosts mental health workshop

More than 60 people attended the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) workshop for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities on Tuesday.

A mix of service providers, community leaders and residents wanting to learn more about improving mental health (IAPT) services for BAME individuals and developing successful mental health projects that are IAPT compliant attended the workshop at KYP.

Geeta Sarin provided a very moving account of her personal experience of mental health services in Greater Manchester.

All participants were given the opportunity to question senior professionals such as Paul Campbell - Consultant Clinical Psychologist, on how to improve access and recovery rates for BAME groups.

Duncan Craig, Chief Executive Officer, Survivors Manchester, and Rosella Nicosia, Mental Health Lead, LGBT Foundation, shared their journey of how both their organisations became IAPT compliant and the services they provide.

Zulf Ahmed, Chief Executive of KYP said: “Commissioners have a duty to ensure that IAPT services are available and appropriate to everyone in the local community, including individuals from hard-to-reach groups.

"The aim of this workshop was to consult local groups and service providers on barriers faced by people in accessing these services.”

Rochdale Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Janet Emsley said: “It is important that people are made aware of mental health services that people can access. Events like this make it possible to get that information.”

The workshop was arranged in conjunction with Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire Strategic Clinical Networks.