Positive steps in cross-government approach to mental health and wellbeing

Responding to the Welsh Government’s new 10 year mental health and wellbeing strategy, assistant director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Nesta Lloyd-Jones said:

“We welcome the shift in approach set out in the new Welsh Government’s 10 year mental health and wellbeing strategy, which is centred on early intervention, prevention and person-centred care.

“As the strategy acknowledges, the building blocks of mental wellbeing start long before healthcare intervention – whether that’s education, housing, employment, access to green spaces and leisure, the arts and so on. Building more resilient communities, addressing health inequalities and tackling loneliness are essential to this too. The Welsh Government’s promise to prioritise action on mental health across all Welsh Government departments is a positive start on the journey to a cross-government approach to mental health, including the deployment of Health Impact Assessments.

“However, in these continuously financially challenging times, these sectors and services are among the first to be cut. We must think long-term and invest in these areas to make things better for individuals, healthcare services and the public purse.

“We know timely access to services play an important role in patient outcomes. NHS leaders support the concept of the no wrong door approach and the introduction of 111 press 2 is a good example of simplifying access for those reaching out for help.

“We know that societal inequalities put some groups at greater risk, underscoring the importance of providing these individuals with better resources and tackling barriers to accessing care. However, with rising demand for mental health services and the growing impact of climate change on mental wellbeing, a greater emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention is needed. 

“Now this strategy has been published, the Welsh Government must ensure the resource and support is in place for sectors and organisations to deliver on the vision statements.”