Cornwall’s Mental Health Partnership: New Strategy Begins with a Packed Meeting

There was standing room only at Healthwatch Cornwall’s first Mental Health Partnership Board meeting, held at Lanivet Community Centre. The event brought together a wide array of people involved in mental health provision across the county, all eager to listen, learn, and collaborate on the future of Cornwall’s mental health strategy.

Wide Range of Groups Come Together

The packed room included representatives from organisations such as Healthy Cornwall, Papyrus, Active Plus, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change, the Rice and Peas diversity in action community, Pentreath, Cornwall College, and Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. Each organisation took the opportunity to share their role in Cornwall’s mental health services and affirmed their commitment to working together as part of the newly formed partnership board.

Healthwatch Cornwall’s team was joined by the newly appointed chair of the board, Councillor Colin Martin, and individuals who spoke openly about their own lived experiences with mental health challenges.

“We don’t always feel empowered to speak up,” said one individual at the meeting. “Being involved gives us a voice and that’s important because we’re all human beings.”

A Collective Approach to Mental Health

Healthwatch Cornwall CEO Debbie Gilbert introduced the four-hour session, expressing her satisfaction at the turnout and engagement in the room.

“It was lovely to see so many professionals, carers and service users in the room and get their collective approval for a joint way forward,” she said.

Throughout the session, participants identified common themes that will help shape local mental health strategy and inform future commissioning plans.

Looking Ahead

The board will meet four times a year, rotating locations across Cornwall to ensure broad participation. Healthwatch Cornwall is encouraging anyone interested in having their say on mental health in Cornwall to get involved.

For more information about the Mental Health Partnership Board and how to participate, visit Healthwatch Cornwall.