Lanarkshire has launched a new strategy that aims to transform mental health and wellbeing by championing and promoting good mental health for all.
The new five-year mental health and wellbeing strategy for Lanarkshire was formally launched yesterday (Thursday) at Coatbridge College.
‘Getting It Right for Every Person’ (GIRFEP) A Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy for Lanarkshire (2019-2024)’, is a shared vision developed by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (H&SCNL), NHS Lanarkshire (NHSL), South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (SLH&SCP), members of the public, third sector organisations, and staff groups.
All contributions have resulted in a comprehensive strategy, a shared endeavour to deliver a strategic plan to transform mental health and wellbeing in Lanarkshire over the next five years and beyond. The strategy is committed to supporting the delivery of ‘No health without mental health’.
One in four people suffer from a mental illness. This strategy aims to reset how we think about mental health in Lanarkshire. Critical to the vision and values present in the strategy is the contributions of people with lived experience who have shown courage to share their experience and ideas on mental health and wellbeing; wellbeing is defined as feeling good and functioning well and is essential to thriving in life.
The executive lead for the strategy on behalf of Lanarkshire, associate nurse director Anne Armstrong, H&SCNL, said: “We all have physical health and mental health needs and therefore this strategy is for everyone in Lanarkshire. Working closely with all key groups and organisations in the development of this strategy has very much been centred on the needs of people of all ages living in Lanarkshire.
“We want this strategy to help people in Lanarkshire talk freely about their mental health and wellbeing as they would any physical ailment, safeguarding their mental health and wellbeing, where possible prevent mental ill heath occurring and, when needed, being able to access support, care and treatment easily.”
“I want to thank all those involved who contributed to the design and development of the pioneering strategy to deliver our collective vision and shared aims.”
North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board chair Avril Osborne added: “Developing this strategy would not have been possible without the collective investment of the many people who contributed to the content. If we are to make a difference to people’s lives then working together is essential to deliver the strategy successfully.
“We want to challenge all stigma and discrimination wherever it exists and thus make mental health easier to talk”. Through doing so we aim to make Lanarkshire the centre of excellence for mental health prevention, support and treatment, showing compassion, care and understanding to those who need it.”
Dr Adam Daly, NHS Lanarkshire’s clinical director of old age psychiatry, added: “This strategy sets out a clear vision for local services both for people with mental illness and for the wider population’s mental health and wellbeing. It is ambitious and inclusive. We are now looking forward to the next part in the process, implementing the plans and improving health.”
There is a dedicated webpage for the strategy which includes the documents and other useful resources. This can be found here.
Photo caption: Back row, left to right – Val de Souza (Director of Health and Social Care, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership), Alan Waddell (Chief Superintendent, Local Police Commander for Lanarkshire Division), Daniel Rankin (General Manager at Scottish Ambulance Service). Front row, left to right – Ross McGuffie (Chief Operating Officer, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire), Avril Osborne (Chair of the Integration Joint Board), Anne Armstrong (Nurse Director, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and Executive Lead for strategy), Kate Bell (Head of Service Change and Transformation and Programme Director for strategy), Neena Mahal (NHS Lanarkshire Board Chair), Councillor Paul Kelly (Depute Leader, North Lanarkshire Council and Vice Chair of Integration Joint Board), Rob Hay (Superintendent, Head of Partnerships and Prevention, Police Scotland, Lanarkshire Division).
