A MEETING to discuss the future of mental health services in Wales will take place today to mark ‘World Mental Health Day’.

The conference – held by trade union Unison – will explore how employers can work with unions to support employees who have mental health issues.

This includes Unison's scheme to train ‘mental health champions’ who are able to help colleagues by directing them to the best available health and support.

An audience of 100 public service workers will hear from Welsh Government heath minister, Vaughan Gething AM and leading mental health charity, Mind Cymru.

The event – sponsored by Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM, Dawn Bowden – will also hear a speech from Unison general secretary Dave Prentis.

Unison lead organiser for mental health, Carmen Bezzina, said: “Poor mental health is wreaking a terrible cost on the people of Wales, their families and the Welsh economy.

“One in four people will be affected at some stage in their life. It is often caused by difficult situations in the workplace.

“We know too, severe spending cuts have harmed people and there is a direct link between UK government policy and incidence of mental health problems”.

Cabinet secretary for health, well-being and sport, Vaughan Gething, also said: “With such a broad range of factors affecting our health and well-being, it is clear that the NHS alone cannot make us the healthy nation that we all want.

“It requires all of us to engage in promoting good health and well-being – individuals, communities, schools, work places, unions and many others have a role to play.

“I am delighted to recognise the contribution that Unison Cymru is making to improve the mental health of workers”.

He added that the Welsh Government recognises the “important contribution” the workplace can make to improving mental health – highlighted in their Prosperity for All Strategy.

This strategy, he added, “sets out our ambition to build a Wales that is healthy and active, prosperous and secure, ambitious and learning and united and connected.”

Director of Mind Cymru, Sara Moseley, also explained that mental health issues cost Wales around £7.2billion a year.

She said this is made up of “£1bn cost to the NHS, over £2.5bn in lost economic activity and nearly £3.5bn in the loss of quality of life for those experiencing mental health problems”.

“Promoting good mental health could decrease those figures. It’s wonderful to see Unison taking a lead on such an important matter,” she added.