Scottish Government announce public events to consult on mental health strategy
By News Scotland, , ,

The Scottish Government have announced a number of public events will be held so that people can give their views on a new plan to transform Scotland’s mental health.

The events will take place in four venues around the country in August and September and feedback will be used to inform Scotland’s new strategy for mental health, which will be published later this year.

The public events, hosted by NHS Health Scotland and Young Scot, will be held at the following locations:

  • 30 August, Beach Ballroom Aberdeen
  • 6 September, Discovery Point, Dundee
  • 13 September, Trades Hall, Merchant City, Glasgow
  • 14 September, CoSLA Education Centre, Edinburgh

Minister for Mental Health, Maureen Watt, launched the public events programme at a visit to the Flourish Health charity in Glasgow today. She met management, staff and service users and found out what they think should be included in Scotland’s new mental health strategy.

Ms Watt said: “We want to gather as many views we can, from a range of people and organisations who have an interest in mental health, or a view on services. Out new strategy for mental health will set out our vision for how to transform these services over the next decade.

“I want this strategy to be ambitious and to focus on things that will make a real difference to mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. To do that we need to hear from people with a direct experience.

“There has been an increased focus on mental health in recent years and this is something that I, as the UK’s first dedicated minister for mental health, welcome. The Scottish Government has announced an additional £150 million of funding in this area over a five year period, but we need to look well beyond that, and that is what we’ll do in our new strategy.”

The new mental health strategy will focus on themes including prevention and early intervention, responses in primary care settings, improving the physical health of those with mental health problems, and improving access to mental health services.