Be honest: How asking for genuine feedback can drive innovative change
Our latest DigitalMe project was commissioned by Gateshead’s NHS Mental Health Transformation Team to tackle the challenges faced by patients as well as to highlight some of the innovative ways the team is supporting Gateshead’s communities. We talked to Jake Turnbull, Patient and Public Engagement & Community Involvement Lead, about what his team hoped to achieve.
“The first video is about hearing the experiences of those who have faced a myriad of challenging mental health events and conditions. We aren't shying away from things that have gone wrong either. Some of these testimonies are tough narratives to hear. But by being able to share these experiences both with clinicians, as well as broader mental health service providers across the voluntary sector, NHS and social care, as well as community groups, and others, we can all better work together to improve support for all who experience mental health challenges.”
The resulting DigitalMe has some very honest feedback from young people and their parents about delays in diagnosis as well as feeling let down or dismissed by the system for not meeting particular criteria. It can be challenging to hear this kind of feedback when you are part of that system but this was the intention. The film was shared at Gateshead's Community Mental Health Transformation Conference in February 2023, attended by representatives from across the NHS and social care and members of the public, patient and community groups, charities and voluntary sector partners. The feedback was very positive.
“People were inspired and challenged by the personal narratives that they heard, but also encouraged to think more creatively about how we can work with others outside of the traditional mental health settings to foster better mental health in our communities. The videos have really made people think, and it is driving innovation, which is wonderful to see.”
It was important for Jake and his team to celebrate the progress they’re making as well as facing up to the challenges. A second film was commissioned to do just that:
“This second video highlights some of the great work that we were able to support through this scheme, outside of the clinical environment. Good mental health is nurtured in a range of settings, not just through interactions between clinicians and patients. [This film] shows how we can support better mental health through things like gardening groups, art groups, and healthy walking initiatives, for example. Let's face it, we all have mental health, and if we can work more closely together to deliver better outcomes, that is a great win for us all.”
The Digital Voice team are really pleased to have been involved in this continued conversation about mental health and hope that the learning undertaken here will continue to shape policy and ultimately help people in need.
You can watch both films here:
Trigger warning: this film contains descriptions of depression, psychosis and suicide.