Mental Health Promotion Strategy, 2023 to 2026

The Mental Health Promotion Strategy sets out how Waltham Forest Council will promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the borough as a way to prevent the development of mental health conditions.

The strategy sets out four main ways the Council will do this:

• Strengthening individuals to improve and protect their mental health (e.g. promoting emotional and social skills, better networks, resilience, physical activity, social relationships etc.)
• Reducing barriers to good mental health and wellbeing (e.g. addressing poverty, inequality, employment and housing and other social determinants of health)
• Strengthening communities (e.g. increasing social inclusion and participation, peer support networks, arts and culture, improving mental health in schools and workplaces)
• Improving the quality of the physical environment (e.g. facilitating access to green spaces and quality transport networks)

We know that good mental health is important for our residents. It helps enable a good quality of life and benefits many areas of personal and social life and it helps reduce the incidence and prevalence of common and serious mental health conditions further down the line. Good mental health also helps residents to:

• realise their abilities, live a life with purpose and meaning
• make a positive contribution to the community
• form positive relationships with others and feel connected and supported
• be resilient in coping with life’s ups and downs
• maintain good physical health

Read the full strategy below.