« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
1 Introduction
1.1 In October 2007, the Scottish Government published a discussion paper outlining the direction for mental health improvement and population mental health for 2008-2011. This paper, called Towards a mentally flourishing Scotland: The future of mental health improvement in Scotland 2008-11, was intended to build on the Scottish Government's National Programme for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Thus, it forms part of the Government's wider strategy for improving the health and wellbeing of people in Scotland .
1.2 Towards a mentally flourishing Scotland (hereafter referred to as TAMFS) primarily focuses on actions which could be undertaken at a local level - that is, by local authorities, NHS Boards and other key stakeholders - with national support. As such, TAMFS represents a shift in emphasis and focus from national activity to local action on mental health improvement.
1.3 The Scottish Government undertook a national consultation on the TAMFS proposals between November 2007 and February 2008. The Government supported the consultation process by offering small grants to NHS Boards to organise local consultation events, and by arranging for Government officials to attend the events to present the discussion paper. Many NHS Boards made use of these grants and held one or more events in their areas to gather the views of individuals from a wide range of agencies and interests. A number of areas also gathered written responses to the consultation from local stakeholders.
1.4 Local areas were asked to consider three questions in responding to the TAMFS discussion paper:
- What shared objectives and actions for local delivery should be made for 2008-11 that would be deliverable, measurable and valuable?
- What national supports would help you to meet these objectives and actions?
- How can progress be tracked and performance assessed?
1.5 This report provides a high-level summary of the responses received to these three questions, along with a brief analysis of other major themes which arose in the consultation.
1.6 The deadline for written responses to the consultation was 28 February 2008. However, the deadline was extended to allow late submissions. This report includes only responses that were received by 19 March 2008.
1.7 The Scottish Government has established a National Reference Group to consider the outcomes of the national consultation and discussion process. This group will provide advice to the Government on the next stages of work in developing an action plan for mental health improvement for the next three years. It is expected that this action plan will be available early in 2008.
« Previous | Contents | Next »