Weave/Gwehyddu – Panel 1 – The need for a creative approach to tackle mental health inequalities

Summary

This panel discussion on inequalities in mental health and wellbeing considers how the creative sector can contribute to improving equity in mental health and wellbeing, and broader health outcomes, for people experiencing mental health difficulties

Chair

Emily van de Venter, Lead Consultant for Mental Health, Public Health Wales

Emily van de Venter is a consultant at Public Health Wales with lead responsibility for protecting and promoting mental wellbeing. She has worked in UK public health for 15 years and has a long-standing interest in mental health and wellbeing, which began with an undergraduate degree in neuroscience. Emily has published papers on arts and health approaches, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing.

Panelists

Dr Habib Naqvi, MBE, Chief Executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory

Dr Habib Naqvi is Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory in the UK, which works to identify and tackle ethnic inequalities in health and care.

Lexi Ireland, Strategic Lead for Health Inequalities, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust

Lexi will share her work on severe mental illness and health inequalities, the need for innovative partnership approaches, and arts and ethnicity, including promotion of the work carried out by the Cultural Inclusion Network.

Nerys Edmonds, Principal Health Impact Assessment Development Officer, Public Health Wales

Nerys works for Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit in Public Health Wales and is a Mental Health Foundation Trustee. She has authored the Mental Well-being Impact Assessment Toolkit (2011), and Health Impact Assessments on Brexit and Climate Change in Wales.