Yesterday for World Suicide Prevention Day, our CEO Laura had the privilege of attending a parliamentary event hosted by National Mind and sponsored by Liz Twist MP, bringing together people with lived experience, policymakers, practitioners and mental health organisations to discuss the future of Open Access mental health support.

The event opened with a powerful contribution from Alison McGovern, who spoke about the importance of a whole-person approach to support, recognising that good mental health is about far more than symptoms or diagnoses. She highlighted the need for people to have a home, purpose and joy; a vision that resonated strongly with the work we are already developing through our First Point of Contact (FPOC) model.

Laura also heard from Jenny, who shared her lived experience of navigating the mental health system, reminding us why timely, compassionate and person-centred support matters so much. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how we can work together across sectors and communities to shape what Open Access support could and should look like.

Laura said she was proud to represent the organisation and share how our First point of Contact model, Early Intervention approach, Complex Needs pathway and our Before Things Break campaign are already putting many of these principles into practice. Through meaningful conversations, navigation support and early intervention, we are working to ensure that people receive help before they reach crisis point.

 

 

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