The Scottish Government and COSLA have published a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan, setting out priorities for improving mental health and wellbeing across Scotland over the next three years.

Recognising that mental health is shaped by wider factors – including poverty, housing, employment, social isolation and inequality – a central focus of the plan is a move towards prevention, early intervention and support closer to home, with continued access to specialist mental health services for those who need them.

Another core aspect is a call for more joined-up support across services and sectors, with the third sector identified as central to delivering mental health and wellbeing support in local communities. This value placed on partnership working with the third sector in the wider reform of mental health services, recognises the sector’s ability to respond to local needs, reach people who may not engage with other services, and provide a variety of support (ranging from community wellbeing and tackling isolation to crisis management).

The plan also introduces a focus on preventative budgeting, with an ambition to better demonstrate the value of early intervention and prevention and, over time, direct more investment towards community-based support. It acknowledges the significant financial pressures facing public and third sector services and highlights the importance of sustainability and fairer funding.

To read the plan in full, please visit the Scottish Government website (linked for your convenience).