NHS North Yorkshire CCG supports Safeguarding Week
#TellUsYourConcerns is the message coming out from organisations across North Yorkshire during this year’s Safeguarding Week (22-26 June).
And today (26 June), mental health is in the spotlight.
Scarborough GP and NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for vulnerable people, Dr Peter Billingsley, says it is important people speak up if they are struggling with their mental health, particular during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s perfectly normal to be feeling more anxious and worried as we cope with the effects of a global pandemic,” Dr Bllingsley said. “If it gets too much, there are lots of places to turn to for help
“If you have access to the internet, through a laptop, tablet or mobile phone, just search ‘mental health North Yorkshire’
“IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) can help you deal with depression, anxiety and worry. There’s also a 24-hour mental health crisis number is available in North Yorkshire – 0300 0200317.
“The important thing, is don’t suffer in silence – reach out, either to family members, friends or health professionals. And look out for others. If you are concerned about someone’s wellbeing, raise the alarm; safeguarding is everyone’s business.”
The aim of the #TellUsYourConcerns campaign is to remind people that ‘Safeguarding is everybody’s business’ and that concerns about abuse or neglect should continue to be reported to the Local Authority as normal during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Local authorities and healthcare organisations are providing information about how to report abuse of children, young people and adults, in North Yorkshire and the City of York and this is being supported by the Safeguarding Adults Boards, Safeguarding Children’s Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships. This year’s campaign is split into a range of different topics which began at the start of the week with domestic abuse and then moved onto topics such as fraud, radicalisation, county lines and mental health and wellbeing.