How the Alliance’s priorities were decided for 2023

Surrey Adult Mental Health Alliance decided its priority for 2023 through a series of workshops.

Firstly, the Advisory Forum held a virtual workshop in December 2022 with attendees representing Independent Mental Health Network, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, Mary Frances Trust, Oakleaf, Catalyst, Surrey and Borders Partnership, Active Prospectus, and Age UK. The workshop was to determine if Advisory Forum members agreed with the proposed priorities the Shadow Board put forward, and/or any suggestions for other areas of work.

Three proposed priorities:

1. Reduce people ‘bouncing’ around the system.

2. Focus on early intervention, prevention, and access.

3. Address mental health stigma and discrimination.

There were three phrases of the workshop: individual brainstorming, pair work, and group discussion focused on one of the priorities from the list above. For the group discussion, members were asked to identify small practical and achievable actions to help tackle the challenges their assigned priority creates.

As a collective, the Advisory Forum agreed these were appropriate priority areas and raised two other areas for consideration: provision for crisis support and increased knowledge around carer support and their rights.

The Advisory Forum workshop discussions raised a need for:

• Education and awareness about mental health.
• Cultural and language awareness with a diverse workforce.
• Robust assessment process with clear documentation to avoid repetition.
• Streamlining the system with clear pathways and look at bridging gaps.

The Shadow Board were presented with the Advisory Forum workshop findings at their dedicated priorities workshop in January 2023. Megan (Advisory Forum Coordinator) delivered the same activities to the Shadow Board alongside the Advisory Forum lived experience feedback to inform their discussion. It was agreed to focus on “Reduce ‘bouncing’ around the system” as the clear priority. The other two areas of work (addressing mental health stigma and discrimination, and early intervention, prevention, and access) will be partially addressed through the work on reducing bounce as the three areas are closely intertwined.

Background context to Bounce.

‘Bouncing’ around the system happens when a referral does not provide the information required to signpost and refer people appropriately. This results in people falling through the gaps and delays appropriate support. This can lead to a mental health decline as well as making users feel that they are not important, and that seeking help is futile. Additionally, there can be financial implications.

Current Alliance Membership (this is an active and growing list)

Catalyst, Centre of Psychology, Dorking Healthcare, Mary Frances Trust, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP), Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Surrey County Council, Surrey Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN), We Are With You.

How to get involved

Advisory Forum membership is open to those who access or have accessed services via an Adult Mental Health Alliance member. If you would like to contribute your lived experience to help inform the Alliance’s work, contact Megan Siarey, Advisory Forum Coordinator at Megan.Siarey@SurreyCoalition.org.uk or register your interest via the IMHN sign-up form.