By Toni Giugliano, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Mental Health Foundation Scotland
MENTAL health is finally getting national attention. All of Scotland’s party leaders pledged to do more for mental health ahead of last year’s Holyrood elections. Taboos that once seemed unbreakable are crumbling. More people feel confident talking about their problems and asking for help. All of this represents progress. But support services have become overwhelmed and action is needed.
During this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation asked a simple question – are we “Surviving or Thriving”? Our report of the same name found that only 13 per cent of us are living with high levels of positive mental health. A significant majority of adults across the country experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. These are findings that should concern any government or political party – as the true measure of success of any nation is the health and wellbeing of its people.
The Mental Health Foundation Scotland argued that prevention and early intervention should be at the heart of the Scottish Government’s new mental health strategy. We wanted a greater focus on addressing inequalities and poverty given that, for example, half of GP appointments in Scotland’s most deprived communities have a mental health aspect to them. And we wanted a strategy that bypasses bureaucratic hurdles by using an approach that treats mental health and wellbeing in its totality. Be in no doubt – our society’s mental and emotional wellbeing has a direct impact on our NHS, our schools, our justice system, and our economy.
So does the 10-year plan achieve any of this? It’s received a mixed response, with some organisations criticising a lack of investment (mental health spending comprises less than 10 per cent of the total health budget) while others welcomed action on child mental health, in particular the provision of mental health training for those who work in education.
It’s not perfect. But the strategy isn’t just a shopping list – it’s a 10-year plan that should evolve as progress is made on one front and new challenges emerge on another. The strategy’s “Forum” – created to bring together experts, charities and service providers – can’t be a talking shop. It must have the power to shape and steer the strategy over the next 10 years. Real co-ownership and working in partnership, including with service users and people with lived experience, will be crucial for the strategy’s success.
The foundation welcomes the public health dimension of the strategy which focuses on improving the physical wellbeing of people with mental health problems. This is vital; the shameful fact is that on average they will die disproportionately 15 to 20 years younger.
Measures to help people with mental health problems find suitable work are welcome. But more needs to be done to help those currently in work. The great majority of people with mental health problems are in employment – but only around half will disclose their problem to an employer for fear of discrimination.
We are unapologetic about our ambition. We must transform the way people think about mental health over the next 10 years. Government must be bold and lead the way but employers, business leaders, faith groups, children’s groups, local networks all have a crucial role to play in nurturing a more resilient, thriving population. We want a Scotland that looks after its mental wellbeing in the same way people take steps to look after their physical health. Prevention is the key to achieving this – in our schools, in our workplaces, in our communities. If we can get even partway there by 2027 millions of Scots will be thriving rather than just surviving.
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