Coordinating London’s Mentally Healthier Councils Network

Action and awareness on resident mental health increased thanks to councillor training programme.

In 2021, the Councillor Mental Health Training (CMHT) programme was commissioned by Thrive LDN, London’s public mental health partnership, and developed and delivered by Ed Davie, of Better Mental Health Training, a former London borough councillor who has a long background working for mental health charities.

The training recognised that councillors play a pivotal role in shaping policies and services that impact mental health and was designed as a means of supporting local leaders and the communities they represent.

Delivered in most cases as a two-hour online course, the training was designed to provide essential education on personal mental health management, the broader social determinants of mental wellbeing, and actionable strategies for improving community mental health outcomes.

In London, between 2021-2023, a total of 532 councillors, 28% of all London councillors, took part in the two-hour sessions which defined mental health and illness and gave evidence-based advice on looking after individual and community mental health. Further training was carried out in 2024, including with the London Assembly.

An National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded evaluation of the training investigated the impact and effectiveness of the CMHT programme delivered across both Greater London and Greater Manchester, with CMHT also being commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.

Overall, findings showed trainees across both phases enjoyed the training, over 90% rated it ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, and found it relevant, informative, interesting, useful and accessible.

More than two thirds (68%) subsequently reported adopting mentally healthier behaviour and almost half (48%) said they had gone on to take action towards influencing policy, services or other local authority powers and influence to improve resident mental health.

Read more about the evaluation.

Thrive LDN is continuing to collaborate and work with London’s local political leaders who have undergone the training, as well as council officers and public health teams.

The above video was recorded at a CMHT training session being held for elected members of Islington Council in 2023. Featuring former Islington councillor and Leader, Kaya Comer Schwartz who outlines how the training has benefited councillors.