Mental health and wellbeing strategy: executive summary

Introduction

This Strategy lays out our approach to improving the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in Scotland. We describe what we think a highly effective and well-functioning mental health system should look like – with the right support available, in the right place, at the right time, whenever anyone asks for help.

As well as ensuring that specialist mental health services are available whenever they are needed, we know that mental health does not just mean mental illness. The ambitions of this Strategy cover all levels of need, from maintaining good mental wellbeing, to the support available in our communities, to recognising that there are many underlying social determinants, circumstances and inequalities that can affect people's mental health.

This document therefore sets out the shared vision of Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to improve mental health and wellbeing – including the role of other key areas such as poverty, housing, employment and our communities.

Alongside this Strategy, we will publish a Delivery Plan, showing the specific actions that we will take, and when they will be undertaken.