Think Ahead trainees meet Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety

The Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety, Nadine Dorries MP, today joined us for a virtual meeting to learn about the invaluable contribution social work makes to mental health services.

It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister of State today and show her the unique support mental health social workers can provide to people living with severe mental illnesses.

Ella Joseph
Chief Executive, Think Ahead

Joined by Think Ahead trainees past and present; host organisation representatives from Durham County Council and the Midlands NHS Trust; our academic lead from Middlesex University; and the Chair of our Service User and Carer Reference Group, Oliver Wood; the Minister was able to hear for herself what a difference our programme and participants are making for people with severe and enduring mental health problems.

Part of an ongoing series of events with leading figures in mental health and social work, the meeting tackled a range of issues mental health social workers deal with every day, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the nation’s mental health, the role of digital working in mental health services, and the importance of advocates and role models for careers in mental health.

The Minister also heard from our trainees about the value of “case consultation discussions” – confidential forums which allow them and their managers to work together to identify the best approach to support an individual, while bringing theory and evidence-based approaches into their practice.

Reflecting on the meeting, Think Ahead’s Chief Executive, Ella Joseph, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister of State today and show her the unique support mental health social workers can provide to people living with severe mental illnesses.

“We are grateful to the Department of Health and Social Care for its continued support for the Think Ahead programme.”