In this resource we explore the contribution of community-led health organisations and approaches to growing positive mental health and wellbeing at a time when mental health services are struggling to meet demand.

We highlight the unique qualities of community-led approaches which make the community sector a vital part of a preventative approach to addressing mental health and wellbeing.

We also shine a spotlight on the what helps and hinders community-led approaches and sets out recommendations for policy makers, planners and commissioners. In order to do this, we have tried to unpick some of the language around mental health and wellbeing, prevention and early intervention. 

Who is this briefing for? 

This briefing is primarily aimed at policy makers and commissioners, and we seek to emphasise the importance of investing in the community-led sector as part of a preventative/early intervention model.

It is also useful for those working in the fields of mental health and wellbeing as it outlines some of the salient issues and nuances around mental health and wellbeing. 

How was the briefing developed? 

To develop this briefing, CHEX carried out ten semi-structured interviews with practitioners working in the area of mental health and wellbeing, including eight local community and voluntary organisations, two national mental health organisations and one public health specialist with a focus on mental health.

This generated an enormous amount of insight based on the wealth of experience and expertise within our network, and we wish to give a huge thank you to those who contributed. We have done our best to organise, summarise and present the key messages below.