May 19th, 2016
Green Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty joined women, colleagues and friends of Brighton Women’s Centre today (Thursday) to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week with a group discussion event to promote self-care for women.
The event was held on the grounds of St. Peters Church on Thursday 19th of May 2016 and saw participants share thoughts and practical steps they employ to improve wellbeing.
Brighton Women’s Centre (BWC) has been supporting women in Brighton and Hove for over 40 years, and aims to empower women and promote independence in a safe, women-only space. It provides a range of services including counselling and self-help groups.
Convenor of the Green Group, Phelim Mac Cafferty said:
“I’m delighted to support Brighton Women’s Centre and raise the profile of mental health issues affecting women. This is one of the many things that the Green Group of Councillors are doing to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, and highlight the importance of mental health for all our city’s residents.
“Women are bearing the brunt of drastic cuts to local government and many cuts are leaving them increasingly isolated. We know that women are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men so cuts to mental health services could mean that vital support is not available when needed. With such a worrying future ahead, it is critical that we ensure women in the city have somewhere to turn.
“Charities like Brighton Women’s Centre do a tremendous amount of valuable work for the city’s women. Promoting positive mental health for women and providing support for those who may be struggling with mental health issues is an absolutely vital part of this equality work. Social factors often put women at greater risk of poor mental health than men, and it is essential that we have empowering services to enable women to both overcome social barriers and address the impact they can have on emotional and mental health”.