Leadinghealthcare conference Mental Health TodayWales takes place on 20 May in Cardiffand brings together an audience of healthcare professionals, academics, serviceusers and mental health charities to tackle the issue of mental health andpoverty. The conference examines the impact of poverty on the mental health ofWelsh citizens of all ages and visitors will hear from experts in the mentalhealth field and gain practical advice on accessing benefits.
“Mental Health Today Wales is one of thefew events to focus on the wellbeing of Welsh citizens and the effects ofpoverty on their mental health. We are proud to be working in collaborationwith leading Welsh mental health organisations including NHS Wales, Gofal,Hafal, Mind Cymru, The Alzheimer’s Society and the National Centre for MentalHealth, Cardiff University.”Dan Parton, Editor, Mental Health Today.
VaughanGething, Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty Wales has been revealed as thekeynote speaker. He will tell delegates how the Welsh Government is committedto lifting people out of poverty and stop others from falling into it. Speakingin advance of the conference he said:
“There is a clear link between mental health problems and poverty. Thereis widespread evidence that people with mental illness have a lower employmentrate than almost any other group of disabled people. They are more likely toexperience greater poverty, less adequate housing and greater social isolation.That is why it is important that our efforts to tackle poverty recognise this.
It is in all of our interests to help people with mental illness become moreeconomically active and to encourage their sense of self-worth. I am committedto taking action to do this and look forward to outlining the number of waysthe Welsh Government is supporting vulnerable people in our communities.”