Mental health and wellbeing strategy: delivery plan 2023-2025

Priority 10

Reduce the risk of poor mental health and wellbeing in adult life by promoting the importance of good relationships and trauma-informed approaches from the earliest years of life, taking account where relevant adverse childhood experiences. We will ensure help is available early on when there is a risk of poor mental health, and support the physical health and wellbeing of people with mental health conditions.

Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Challenges and opportunities:

• Global challenges
• Stigma and discrimination
• Delivering supports and services
• Primary and community care
• Workforce
• Benefits of investing

Key area of focus

We know babies and small children need sensitive responsive caregiving which also supports good health, wellbeing and nutrition, play and stimulation and protection from avoidable harm. In addition, at some point in our lives, many of us experience trauma or adverse childhood experiences which can impact on our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our access to universal life chances such as education, health, housing and employment. In recognition of this, we have a shared ambition for a trauma-informed and responsive workforce, and for the right services to be in place across Scotland. This involves services that recognise the prevalence of trauma and respond in ways that prevent re-traumatisation and that support recovery. The NTTP supports a trauma-informed workforce and services and includes funding for a network of Transforming Psychological Trauma Implementation Co- ordinators (TPTICs) based in every Health Board across Scotland who provide advice, training and implementation support. Through the NTTP, we will embed trauma-informed and trauma-responsive practice across services and supports in Scotland.

Outcomes

• The overall mental health and wellbeing of the population is increased and mental health inequalities are reduced.
• People with mental health conditions, including those with co-existing health conditions experience improved quality and length of life, free from stigma and discrimination.
• People have an increased knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing and how to access appropriate support.
• Communities are better equipped to act as a source of support for people’s mental health and wellbeing, championing the eradication of stigma and discrimination and providing a range of opportunities to connect with others.
• We adopt a ‘mental health and wellbeing in all policies’ approach to facilitate cross- policy actions that more effectively address the wide-ranging social, economic and environmental factors that impact people’s mental health and wellbeing, including poverty, stigma, discrimination, and injustice.
• Comprehensive support and services that promote and support people’s mental health and wellbeing are available in a timely way that meets and respects individual needs.
• Mental health policies, support, care, and treatment are better informed and shaped by people with lived experience of mental health issues and staff practitioners, with a focus on high quality provision that is recovery orientated.

Strategic Action 10.1: Through the GIRFEC approach, we will help parents and families to develop positive relationships with their children before birth and at every stage of their development, supporting their mental health and wellbeing through the ups and downs of life.

10.1.1 Scottish Government will take forward a transformative early child development programme ensure an integrated approach that continuously builds the latest evidence in to policy and practice. This will focus on primary prevention from pre-conception through the earliest years to help ensure children get the nurturing care they need, and increasing the likelihood of good long term outcomes.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government

10.1.2 To support parents and caregivers, further enhance the provision of high quality, evidence based support for parents through investing the Psychology of Parenting Programme, Solihull Online and the Early Intervention Framework.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NES

10.1.3 Scottish Government will provide information on the support and services available to help build positive parenting relationships, maintain mental health and wellbeing via the Baby Box and develop a Parenting Pathway, building on the 2012 National Parenting Strategy.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Third sector organisations, statutory services (including midwifery and health visiting)

10.1.4 Re-affirm the importance of play to children’s development and mental wellbeing by publishing a revised Play Strategy Vision and Action plan in 2024, developed in collaboration with our stakeholders and informed by the views of children and young people.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Third sector organisations, statutory services

10.1.5 By November 2023, launch a new Strategic Board for Children and Families Mental Health, with a strategic remit spanning preconception, the perinatal period, parent-infant relationships, early years (up to 5 years old), children and young people (5-24 year olds or 26 years for care leavers), their families and carers. This will include a particular focus on crisis support and support for vulnerable groups.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government/COSLA Third sector organisations, national agencies, statutory services

Strategic Action 10.2: We will continue to invest in and embed perinatal and infant mental health services at all levels of need so that women and families across all areas of Scotland have access to these services.

10.2.1 Launch a new fund to start from 2024/25 onwards building on the learning and successes of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Main Fund and Small Grants Fund in increasing access to support, reducing isolation and improving parent-child relationships.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Third sector organisations

10.2.2 Over 2023/24, consider with stakeholders how to develop a service specification for specialist community perinatal mental health support which enables those involved in running and delivering services in providing the standards of care that meets individuals’ clinical needs.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Perinatal Mental Health Network Scotland

10.2.3 Promote training at all levels across all sectors that supports development of positive relationships and attachment in the early years.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government NES, NHS Boards, local authorities, third sector organisations

Strategic Action 10.3: We will continue to work with delivery partners and survivors to provide services to those who have experienced childhood abuse, which promote sustained recovery through person-centred, trauma-informed support and treatment and enable survivors to lead more independent lives.

10.3.1 Work with the survivors lived experience group, Voices for a Better Future, to ensure survivors contribute, influence and lead on future service design and delivery.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government Voices for A Better Future

10.3.2 Work in partnership with the In Care Survivors Alliance and third sector SOCAS (Survivors of Child Abuse Support) organisations, to ensure all survivors in Scotland have equitable access to support and treatment.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government In Care Survivors Alliance (Health in Mind, Penumbra & NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde)

10.3.3 Work in partnership with the In Care Survivors Alliance to redesign the survivor support service by April 2024. This will allow for a more responsive, sustainable service, which reduces waiting times and ensures equitable access to all aspects of support for all survivors in Scotland.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government In Care Survivors Alliance

Strategic Action 10.4: We will develop and launch our initial 2-year delivery plan for our new Dementia Strategy for Scotland, which recognises and addresses the mental health and wellbeing challenges facing our dementia communities.

10.4.1 Work with the Dementia Lived Experience Panel, Dementia Strategy Advisory Group, and other key partners to develop and secure agreement for the initial delivery plan, working through this process to understand how actions across a number of areas, including diagnosis and care partners, can help improve the mental health and wellbeing of these communities.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government/COSLA Dementia Lived Experience Panel, Dementia Strategy Advisory Group

10.4.2 As part of the Dementia Strategy Delivery Plan, develop an anti-stigma campaign challenging presumptions made towards people living with dementia.

Lead and Key Partners: Scottish Government/COSLA Dementia Lived Experience Panel, Dementia Strategy Advisory Group