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Lanarkshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2024

‘Getting It Right for Every Person’ (GIRFEP)

It took just under a year to design, set up and establish the programme of work that has enabled us to develop the Lanarkshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The new five-year strategy (2019-2024) has now been formally launched.

The strategy, ‘Getting It Right for Every Person’ (GIRFEP) A Mental Health and 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 of the contributions received have resulted in an ongoing dialogue that has raised the profile of mental health as a priority, open up the challenges around culture, stigma and discrimination, raised awareness about the relationships to poverty, deprivation, addiction, homelessness, isolation more visible and considered as part of the comprehensive strategy, a shared endeavour to deliver a plan to transform mental health and wellbeing in Lanarkshire.

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The contributions set out in GIRFEP make a compelling case that there’s an urgent need to do more to promote and protect wellbeing, prevent common mental health problems and strengthen both the provision of mental health care and support to all people and ensure that the care provided is equal to that given for physical illness in general practice, social work community and in hospital settings.

The five-year strategy for all age groups is informed firstly by the identified needs of the population, service users, people with lived experience and by a range of national policies and strategies to reflect the needs of people living in Lanarkshire. Our inclusive and integrated approach to developing the strategy and the delivery plans for implementation will ensure Lanarkshire becomes a place that champions and promotes good mental health for all.

NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council and partner organisations have all signed a pledge agreeing to the principles and content of the strategy with a view to working together to deliver the best possible support and services to promote good mental health and wellbeing for all.

The inclusive and integrated approach in Lanarkshire recognises that it’s not just about how the NHS, local authorities respond to mental health; it’s about how our wider community planning partners and society contribute to mental health and wellbeing, so that Lanarkshire is a place where people thrive.

All organisations engaged in developing the strategy have committed to work together to lift the stigma and discrimination often surrounding mental health, putting it on an equal par with physical health.

This means we will ensure the promotion of mental health and wellbeing will underpin all aspects of our supports and services. Our joint approach to developing the support and services required when needed will ensure Lanarkshire becomes a place that champions and promotes good mental health for all.

The contents of the strategy are consistent with the Integrated Joint Boards vision for improvements in mental health provision and are aligned with Lanarkshire Healthcare Strategy ‘Achieving Excellence’ ensuring a strong interface with the developments in local authorities, health and social care organisations and makes specific linkages to the funding outlined by the Scottish Government to ensure changes result in improvements.

The mental health system is complex and this strategy covers key areas of work with the intention to deliver a system wide programme of work; build a strong workforce at all levels and engage staff; service users and carers.

The mental health and wellbeing of the population of Lanarkshire is a top priority for all organisations who provide support and services to and with the people who live here.

In line with our Public Sector Equality duty and the duties placed on us by the Fairer Scotland Act which came into force April 2018, we agree that when making strategic decisions we will think about how we can reduce inequalities of outcome, caused by socio-economic disadvantage treating individuals equally and taking their human rights into consideration. We all have a role to play in promoting good physical and mental health.

For further information contact MHStrategy@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Definition of Mental Health

‘Mental Health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.’

Definition of Wellbeing

‘A positive state of mind and body, feeling safe and able to cope, with a sense of connection with people, communities and the wider environment.’

Source of both definitions above:
Royal College of Psychiatrists, ‘No health without mental health’, the case study for action Position statement (Feb 2011)

LIVED EXPERIENCE

Lived experience¹ placed a strong emphasis on the need for people to be treated with respect and dignity at all times and the need for recovery support and services.

The themes captured here relate to difficulties experienced by people in their daily lives related to income, inequalities experienced, unemployment and being listened to by people in services.

The range of groups talked about the relationship with mental health, long-term conditions, addictions and domestic violence.

¹ Lived experience refers to the representation of the experiences and choices of a person, and the knowledge that they gain from their experience of living with a mental health condition and the choices and challenges this brings.

C’s story

C’s story is a film focusing on a journey of recovery and discussion on the things that help her stay well. In particular C discusses her volunteering activity and fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity. Her story encapsulates supportive networks and we hear from some of the people she works alongside or who have supported her in her recovery.

D’s story

D wanted to create, edit and complete his story on his own. This involved filming in different locations and, whilst supporting D, he was able to use poetry and photography which he believes all help him stay mentally well.

A’s story

A year or so ago, A avoided people at all costs and didn’t want to leave the house. With the help of Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health (LAMH), she managed to find the confidence to interact with the rest of society again. Physical exercise played a big part in her recovery and she now regularly attends the gym and has ran mini-triathlons, with the team at LAMH there to support her every step of the way.

S’s story

S started to struggle with mental health from a young age. He was treated differently by teachers and by the time he left school his mental health had deteriorated. He turned to drinking and smoking cannabis to block everything out. With the help of a peer support charity, S began to build his confidence and then started his own charity with peers. His story was turned into a play for the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.

Group of people who attended the Mental health and wellbeing strategy launch

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).

ASPIRATIONS FOR THE STRATEGY

Quotes from people who contributed and enabled us to develop the Lanarkshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Avril Osborne, North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board chair:
“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 he strategy successfully.

“We want to make mental health easier to talk about thus challenging all stigma and discrimination wherever it exists. 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.”

Anne Armstrong, Strategy’s executive lead for the strategy on behalf of Lanarkshire, H&SCNL associate nurse director:
“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 well-being 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 strategy to deliver our collective vision and shared aims.”

Dr Adam Daly, NHS Lanarkshire’s clinical director of old age psychiatry:
“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.”

Ross McGuffie, Chief Officer of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire:
“Here in Lanarkshire our comprehensive strategy reflects partners’ shared vision and will deliver improvements in the mental health and wellbeing of Lanarkshire’s population.

“We all look forward to a Lanarkshire where mental health stigma and discrimination are eradicated.”

Kate Bell, strategy programme director:
“Large scale, system-wide change requires a range of people and organisations to work together towards a shared vision.

“A delivery programme will, I hope, achieve the implementation of our shared ambition across a range of organisations on this extremely important priority topic. We look forward to a Lanarkshire where people can access the supports and services they need and stigma and discrimination are eradicated.”

Val de Souza, director of SLH&SCP:
“Understanding and raising awareness of the factors that determine good mental health and wellbeing and how to influence them positively, are key to making our mental health and wellbeing easier to talk about”.
“It is why the work of all those who have contributed towards the strategy is so important.”
“Many congratulations to everyone on a successful launch and achieving a coproduced pan-Lanarkshire strategy. This is a huge accolade for Lanarkshire and my personal thanks to those involved for their drive and enthusiasm in taking this forward.”

Councillor Paul Kelly, Vice Chair of Integration Joint Board
“This groundbreaking strategy places mental health and wellbeing at the very heart of services across the public sector in Lanarkshire. That is a huge step forward.

“One of the most important aspects of the strategy’s development was that it was developed in conjunction with people who use services and with carers. That means everything we will achieve will meet the needs of people across Lanarkshire.

“I’m proud that Lanarkshire has the first comprehensive mental health and wellbeing strategy in the country and I very much look forward to the strategy being put in place.”

Rob Hay, Superintendent, Head of Partnerships and Prevention, Police Scotland, Lanarkshire Division:
“Improving mental health and wellbeing in Lanarkshire is a challenge for us all.  Meeting that challenge starts with ending the stigma often felt by those suffering from a mental health issue, promoting good mental wellbeing and ensuring those in need can access the right services at the right time.

“Too often, police officers are called on to intervene when mental health problems reach crisis point. Our partners in the NHS should be commended for developing this strategy for Lanarkshire, which Police Scotland fully endorse.”

Stephanie Phillips, Director of Service Delivery at NHS 24:
“This has been an excellent example of collaborative working to develop the strategy, bringing all the right people and organisations together to shape and develop mental health services and support. We are looking forward to continuing to be part of that and helping to deliver this ambitious vision for Lanarkshire.”

Liz MacWhinney, Manager Lanarkshire Links:
“Any strategic development of this kind requires the involvement of every affected sector, and Lanarkshire Links’ involvement in this work has meant that those with lived experience of mental ill health have been successfully included from the foundations upwards.

“The one thing everyone shares is our humanity, in all its broad and varied shapes and colours. This strategy is a step in the direction of recognising the importance of our humanity in the choices and decisions we make about life in general but also, and possibly more importantly, it is a step in the direction of encouraging us to be aware of the humanity of others and making human to human connections in ways we seem to have forgotten. We look forward to continued involvement in implementing the strategy”

CONTACT

For further information contact MHStrategy@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

PARTNERS

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