Local councils shape key services and environments that influence mental health. Centre for Mental Health recognises this. Their Mentally Healthier Councils Network unites local government leaders nationwide to champion mental health in their communities.
It’s never been more important to keep an eye on this issue. With English local councils merging and efficiency being prioritised under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), there is an urgent need to ensure that citizens remain meaningfully engaged in local decision-making. This is particularly true on those factors that can impact mental health and wellbeing, including education, housing, social care, green spaces and public health.
The UK Government have helpfully specified “stronger community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment” as a key criteria against which LGR proposals will be evaluated.
But how can we make this work? In particular, how can we ensure that community engagement isn’t tokenistic? Well, if you want to see what practical community power looks like in mental health, look to Ireland’s Public Participation Networks (PPNs). Set up following the Local Government Reform Act (2014), PPNs connect thousands of community, voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups with each local authority – becoming the “go to” route for community voices to shape plans, policies and services, including those that affect mental health and wellbeing.
What makes PPNs distinctive is their structured approach to wellbeing. Every PPN facilitates a Vision for Community Wellbeing – a shared, high-level statement co-designed with residents across six domains, including Health (physical and mental), Economy & Resources and Community Development.
The process seeks to ensure that mental health and wellbeing are viewed holistically; rooted in social connection, safe housing, income security, access to green space and a sense of purpose. This framing keeps mental health on the agenda even when decisions seem “non health” such as on transport or housing. When local authorities require public input for consultations or need representatives for committees-such as Strategic Policy Committees or Local Community Development Committees – they must turn to the PPN to nominate members from within its network.
Just as importantly, PPNs build capacity. Member groups gain training, networks and a platform to collaborate – so small grassroots initiatives can scale, evaluate impact and attract funding. This creates a steady pipeline of community led actions that protect mental wellbeing: befriending and men’s sheds, nature based activities, trauma- informed youth projects, culture and creativity programmes, all of which are evidence aligned and place specific.
There are great examples of PPN work on mental wellbeing. For example, the Donegal PPN Winter Wellness programme focused on mental health, with multiagency events and training on how to set up a Mental Health Champion in organisations. In Tipperary, they gave young people a voice, through an anonymous, detailed survey on their wellbeing, including their drug use and mental health. The data is now being used to plan services.
PPNs don’t deliver mental health care; but they shape the ecosystem around it. Through community action and a real (government-backed) influence on public sector authorities.
We need to learn that lesson here in England. As our Councils become under increasing pressure, we can prioritise place-based participation that keeps mental health front and centre of local decision making. The result isn’t a parallel service, but a richer, fairer service environment – one where prevention is normal, services are codesigned, and communities are partners rather than passive recipients.
Lisa McNally is Director of Public Health for Worcestershire County Council and Honorary Professor at University of Birmingham.
