Sefton’s Public Health Annual Report supports 30 Days of Sefton in Mind

To support the campaign, the Council’s Public Health Annual Report (PHAR), which explores mental health in young people, is being shown after having made the finals for a national award.

Sefton’s report has been recognised as one of the best in the country and was shortlisted for The Association of Directors of Public Health’s (ADPH) Annual Report Competition, which highlights the successes of PHARs from across the country.

First unveiled to the public in July, the PHAR was presented for the first time in video format as a way of making the report more accessible and easier to understand. With this year’s theme focusing on young people growing up healthy and happy, a digital format proved the best way to raise awareness of the issue and making the report more accessible to residents, particularly children and young people.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “We’re delighted that Sefton is paving the way for future annual reports after being shortlisted among the best in the country.

“Annual reports can often be text heavy and difficult to access and so this year’s video aimed to bring public health to the forefront using channels that are modern and interesting to our target audiences. I hope that we have encouraged more people to view the video and give thought to the issues raised.”

There is no single reason why children and young people experience problems with their mental health. Factors such as growing up in a challenging home environment; having a disability; being a looked after child or a young carer; not being in education, employment or training; being exposed to domestic abuse; or having a parent with mental health problems can have a negative impact on mental health.

In Sefton, the number of people from some of these vulnerable groups is higher than the national average.

Cllr Moncur added: ““In Sefton we are dedicated to creating the right conditions and environments to promote and improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

“We continue to work with partners to develop early intervention programmes to promote emotional resilience which will empower children and young people to be able to cope better with difficult circumstances and do well in school and in life.”

The report is set to be presented to Sefton’s next Health and Wellbeing board on Wednesday 19 September.

The PHAR film and a short supplementary document can be viewed online at www.sefton.gov.uk/PHAR