A brand new technique to enhance the psychological well being and wellbeing of individuals throughout Scotland has been printed.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, printed in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), is constructed round three pillars of “Promote, Prevent, Provide”:

• selling optimistic psychological well being and wellbeing
• stopping psychological well being points occurring or escalating whereas tackling underlying causes
• offering psychological well being and wellbeing assist and care.

The technique displays views from greater than 18 months of session, with a selected give attention to the voices of lived expertise and the function of inequalities. It particulars the usual of assist folks can anticipate, and descriptions that it needs to be accessible regionally the place potential. It additionally recognises that specialist providers are an important a part of a high-functioning psychological well being system.

Social determinants and underlying causes of poor psychological well being have formed the brand new strategy, with a renewed give attention to prevention and early intervention.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd mentioned:

“Mental well being doesn’t simply imply psychological sickness. It is essential that all of us preserve good psychological wellbeing, and that we recognise there are lots of underlying social determinants, circumstances and inequalities that may have an effect on folks’s psychological well being.

“To ship the ambitions of this technique, and to create actual and lasting change, we are going to want collaboration from a variety of companions throughout Scotland together with well being boards, integration joint boards well being and social care partnerships, in addition to the third sector.

“This strategy has equalities at its heart. We have set out the outcomes we want to achieve so that we can be held to account for our progress and to show how this strategy is making a real difference to people’s lives. The accompanying Delivery Plan and Workforce Action Plan will be published in the autumn and will detail the work we will take forward to achieve those outcomes.”

Councillor Paul Kelly, Health and Social Care spokesperson for COSLA, mentioned:

“This technique units out an bold imaginative and prescient to enhance the psychological well being and wellbeing of everybody in Scotland. Through the technique and the related supply plan we search to carry actual change, guaranteeing for instance, that our communities are outfitted to assist folks’s psychological well being and wellbeing and  that there’s  elevated availability of well timed and efficient care, assist and remedy.  

“We know that working collectively presents the best opportunity to achieve these goals and bring lasting change. We are committed to working in partnership across spheres of government, with those with lived experience, those who deliver services, and our valued  partners and stakeholders, to realise this vision together.” 

Gordon Johnston, Chair of Voices of Experience (VOX Scotland), mentioned:
“We welcome the new strategy and we are particularly heartened by the meaningful involvement of our members and people with lived experience of mental health conditions throughout the development of this. It is positive to see the strategy outline outcomes and priorities which reflect our members’ feedback and needs regarding timely and effective support, better informed policy shaped by people with lived experience, greater community resources and the expansion and improvement of services for those in distress and crisis. We also look forward to the publication of the delivery plan and continuing to work with the Scottish Government on the implementation of the new strategy.”

BACKGROUND

Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy