Autism and Mental Health consultation
Hampshire Mental Health Charter for people on the autism spectrum
After publishing our Autism and Mental Health consultation film and report (see below), we worked within the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board to address the consultation's recommendations. A second consultation, about the wording of a proposed Mental Health Charter, was held in late 2019.
As a result, the Hampshire Mental Health Charter for people on the autism spectrum was launched on 20 February 2020. A number of prominent local organisations who provide mental health services signed-up immediately.
The Charter is based on four principles for supporting people who require care and support for their mental health.
Our aim is for all organisations, which provide mental health services, to adopt this Charter, promote its principles and then display it in their work place.
We are delighted with this development and thank all those that have contributed to this work and, particularly, Hampshire County Council's Head of Mental Health for his whole-hearted support.
The Charter's principles:
Principle 1: We will recognise and respond to your mental health needs, and ensure:
- Autism will not present any barrier to you when accessing mental health services
- Our organisation has a good understanding and knowledge of Autism
- Your contact with all our staff is sensitive to your needs
- Our organisation makes reasonable adjustments when providing you with a service
- We provide the support you need to manage your mental health to avoid escalation and crisis
- If you require another service for your mental health or wellbeing, we will work with you to try and find the appropriate service(s)
Principle 2: We will recognise your strengths, expertise and knowledge to ensure that we:
- Listen to you and your parent, carer and/or advocate without bias or prejudice
- Take your worries and concerns seriously alongside those of your parent, carer and/or advocate
- Support you to live your life as independently as possible
- Take into account your personal needs and preferences
Principle 3: We will communicate with you, your parent, carer and/or advocate in the way you prefer, to ensure:
- You are prepared in advance of having contact with our services
- You have accessible information about your rights, treatment and/or support
- You know how to contact us in a way which meets your needs
Principle 4: We will value your involvement in the development of our services and offer you opportunities to:
- Express your views on the quality of our services
- Be involved in planning, development and evaluation of services
- Be included in service developments and give you notice of meetings, consultation periods and other relevant events.
Autism and Mental Health consultation report and film
In October and November 2016, our branch carried out a consultation about the way in which mental health affects autistic children and adults, and accessing services in Hampshire in the last 3 years.
The consultation was funded and supported by Healthwatch Hampshire. The project was aimed at autistic children, young people and adults, their families/carers and professionals who work with them.
The branch worked in partnership with Hampshire Autism Voice (HAV) – the voluntary parent/carer/autistic persons' group on the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB). Autism Hampshire was commissioned to facilitate focus groups and one-to-one interviews.
The consultation consisted of an online survey to which 146 people responded. At the same time, two focus groups for parents and carers took place: in total 36 people attended. There were seven 1:1 telephone interviews conducted with 6 autistic adults plus a parent of an adult who have accessed mental health services in Hampshire.
Once the online survey had closed, the initial results were discussed in a focus group with professionals to discuss their views. This group consisted of Mental Health professionals, Hampshire County Council and Healthwatch Hampshire representatives.
We are pleased that the recommendations have been taken on board by autism and mental health organisations to ensure an improvement to services.
The full report can be downloaded here.
A film was also made which features a number of branch members and autistic adults talking about their experiences.