DUDLEY and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust has been awarded a gold star rating for its work on equality and inclusion.

The Trust won the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion Award for ensuring equality, diversity and human rights were embedded throughout the organisation and for its engagement with people across all cultures and communities to help tackle the stigma of mental health problems.

Paul Singh, equality and diversity lead said: “This is a fantastic achievement and highlights the good practice embedded throughout all of our services.

“The work that we have done in this area has been of particular benefit for many people who would previously have been too fearful to come forward and receive treatment for mental health issues.

“Tackling stigma and breaking down barriers so people can access our mental health services is something that we will continue to work on. Talking about mental health is the first step to people understanding that it is not something to be ashamed of.”