Welcome to the second Synergi National Pledge to Reduce Ethnic Inequalities in Mental Health Systems’ progress reports by the Pledge Makers.
The inaugural Pledge progress reports, published in on 25th May 2021, indicated greater investment to tackle ethnic inequalities amid the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Another theme was taking steps to become anti-racist institutions, alongside exploring different models of collaborative leadership and blended commissioning as well as showing significant support for the successful launch of the Synergi National Pledge Alliance, which took place (virtually) on Thursday 25th November 2021.
In the second progress reports, there are encouraging signs of committed activity, with greater collaboration, wider investment in black and minoritised voluntary and community organisations, deeper inequalities and anti-racist work and co-production with ethnic minority communities, all amid the devastating impact of Covid-19 and three successive lockdowns.
There is also a call for mental health systems leaders to sign up to the Pledge and using it to more collaboratively (and strategically) to enable real change to happen, and at an accelerated pace, and for a rethink of commissioning approaches, especially regarding how black and minoritised organisations and lived experience narratives continue to be overlooked.
We welcome Thrive LDN as a Pledge Maker with the submission of its first progress report. Thrive LDN is a citywide movement to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners. Supported by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, it is led by the London Health Board partners.
A short case study of the Pledge is featured in Thrive LDN’s Towards Happier Healthier Lives: Ideas and actions for how London can recover and thrive report 2021.
Synergi is also in talks with other potential Pledge signatories and new Pledge supporters and will be hosting a national stakeholder meeting in February 2022 to announce the launch of Synergi Phase II, led by new partners.
Best wishes,
Joy Francis – Co-Director, Synergi Collaborative Centre | Pledge Lead