HEALTH leaders in York have agreed to a challenge to reduce inequalities in mental health in the city.

The Mental Health Challenge – which will see members become “mental health champions”, whose role is to promote mental health issues – has been taken up by City of York Council’s health and well-being board.

As part of the pledge, a council officer will also be chosen as a lead officer for mental health and positive mental health will be proactively encouraged in schools, colleges and workplaces.

York has become one of a handful of local authorities to agree to take part in the ten-point local authority Mental Health Challenge so far.

Urging members of the board to take part, David Smith, director of development at The Retreat said at the meeting: “We have a choice to sign up to the challenge, to include the wider community, and over the next two or three years see what we can do to make a real difference to people living with mental ill-health.”

The challenge states the board must proactively engage with people of all ages to see what is needed to promote better mental health and tackle discrimintation on the grounds of mental health.

It also pledges to work to reduce inequalities in mental health in the community.

Kersten England, chief executive of the council, and Tracey Simpson-Laing, deputy leader of the council, both spoke in support of taking part.

It was agreed ways in which the ten pledges could be addressed would be discussed at the board’s next development meeting.