Social Inclusion Platform
The MHCC paper, Social Inclusion: its importance to mental health, was discussed in more detail earlier in this report, but is mentioned here as an example of MHCC's research work, as it draws extensively on the strong research supporting the link between social inclusion and mental health.This paper has been prepared with the aim of articulating the work of the mental health NGO sector under the banner of NGOs' work to support social inclusion, and the benefits this work provides for improved mental health. The paper was disseminated at the NGO conference in March to enable broad consultation and comment. The final version has just been released, incorporating stakeholders' comments.
The document contains a list of recommendations that draw from the large body of evidence supporting the positive links between social inclusion and good mental health.
We have also prepared an action plan, aligned with the strategic plan, which includes activities to inform and educate members about social inclusion and how to bring it into their work, bring good practice social inclusion principles into submissions and position papers, and promote positive stories of consumer recovery to the community.