Paul Sanderson works for the Department of Health and Social Care in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in the Midlands/Public Health.
Which part of the region do you live in and/or work in?
I live in Birmingham and work Midlands-wide.
How does your role relate to the mental health agenda?
I lead on Public Mental Health across the Midlands, supporting local systems in commissioning evidence-based interventions; which improve population wellbeing, prevent mental illness and improve lives of those living with serious mental illness.
What are your particular areas of passion and interest, which you aim to champion through the work of the Commission?
Equality, diversity, and inclusion, which should be at the heart of The Commission’s work and outputs. Improving population wellbeing, through local asset-based community interventions. Strong advocate for role of physical activity in improving mental wellbeing. Strong believer in a recovery focus for those with mental illness and social inclusion in its broadest sense. Improving population wellbeing prevents mental illness and assists recovery for those living with mental illness. All suicides are preventable premature mortality.
What particular knowledge, skills & experience are you particularly seeking to ‘bring to the table’ to help to progress the work of the Commission?
I’m a bit of a data, intelligence, and evidence geek. Engagement and systems leadership. Prevention and early intervention - which is as important as access to treatment and care. Wellbeing as a separate dimension to mental illness/wellness and a belief that wellbeing alongside physical health are key drivers of recovery for people living with mental illness and prevents mental illness among those who don’t. Proud to be a Mental Health First Aider.
