The Government’s mental health strategy, No health without Mental Health, was published in February 2011 setting out the vision to improve outcomes for mental health service users and to promote positive mental health and well-being amongst the whole population.
The implementation framework recommends evidence based actions the NHS, other public services and employers can take to make the six broad objectives of the mental health strategy a reality.
The framework highlights useful guidance and sources of information to help local organisations use their existing powers and resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Launch
The framework launched at the Royal Society by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Care Services Minister Paul Burstow.
Of the launch, Paul Burstow said:
“If we are to improve the nation’s wellbeing organisations from across society need to act as catalysts for change in their communities. This framework provides the practical guidance to help make this happen and I am delighted with the support it has from across the mental health sector who have worked so hard on producing this with us.”
The framework sets out what employers, schools, businesses, local authorities, housing organisations, voluntary groups and health and care organisations can do to promote good mental health, whether it’s clinical commissioning groups appointing mental health leads, schools developing awareness programmes to help staff recognise pupils at risk, or employers supporting the mental health of their workforce.
To accompany the launch of the framework, the Mental Health Network has produced a supporting briefing which provides an overview of the framework focusing on the areas that are most relevant to providers of NHS mental health services.
Measuring outcomes
The framework sets out how work on a national mental health dashboard will map the most relevant measures from the NHS, public health and adult social care outcomes frameworks against the objectives of the mental health strategy.
The measures that will make up the dashboard are currently being considered and the Department of Health will publish the national mental health dashboard this autumn.
Development of the framework
Having worked closely with the Government on the development of No Health without Mental Health, the Mental Health Network and partners called for a supporting implementation framework and have again worked closely with the government in the development of this.
The framework has been co-produced by the Department of Health, the Mental Health Network, the Centre for Mental Health, Mind, Rethink and Turning Point.
Paddy Cooney, Interim Director of the Mental Health Network, said:
“Mental ill health affects everybody, which is why the only way to make improvements in mental health services is to involve everybody who will play a part in delivering the radical step-change required. We are proud that the Mental Health Network has been central in developing this Implementation Framework, which helps define the route we should be taking, step-by-step, to improve mental health services, including providing the best quality care for all individuals who are touched by mental ill health.
“The dashboard will give mental health service providers an at-a-glance guide to the progress they are making along the route of improvement. The Mental Health Network will be working closely with the Department of Health to ensure the dashboard's measures give maximum help to service providers and help them make improvements which are important to service users.”
Read more
No Health without Mental Health: Implementation Framework
Mental Health Network briefing 247 – No Health without Mental Health: Implementation Framework
