Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has backed local Mental Health Campaign ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ and nominated them for a national award to mark the 70th birthday of the NHS.
The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, sponsored by IBM, was set up to recognise the massive contribution made by the individuals who work in and alongside the NHS. MPs throughout the country have nominated outstanding individuals and groups who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how local health and care services provide care for patients.
The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards is part of a range of activities being organised nationally and locally to mark the achievements of the NHS and those who work for and with it. Mark has nominated ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ for the Excellence in Mental Health Care Award and met Alex Cotton, the founder of the campaign, at the Old Laurentians Rugby Club, to celebrate this achievement.
‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ was developed in early 2016 by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Unite the Union, Samaritans, Time to Change and local sporting organisations including Wasps Rugby Club and Coventry City Football Club’s charity, Sky Blues in the Community.
After meeting with Alex at the Old Laurentians Rugby Club, Mark said:
“Tackling mental health is rightly a top healthcare priority for the Government and the work of local groups like ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ to raise awareness of mental health issues is really important to achieving this. Suicide is the single biggest cause of death in men aged under 45, and providing support through sporting activities is a great way to help engage with those who may feel isolated or alone.”
Mark continued:
“As well as getting behind our nominees for these awards, I hope local people will take the opportunity to mark the NHS’s 70th birthday in other ways, whether it’s by finding out more about its history, sharing their NHS memories and stories, getting involved in local events and tea parties, or being inspired to keep themselves well and use health services wisely.”