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choose life: A National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in Scotland
APPENDIX 5 THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF SCOTLAND'S POPULATION
THE PROGRAMME'S AIMS, PRIORITIES AND VALUES
1. AIMS
The National Programme aims to improve the mental health and well-being of the Scottish population by:
Increasing public awareness and understanding about the need for positive mental health and well-being
Taking action to address risk factors and 'at risk groups' as well as promoting and sustaining those factors which are protective and supportive of good mental health and well-being
Improving public awareness and understanding about mental health problems and mental ill health and acting to prevent mental health problems developing
Ensuring that there is both early identification and early intervention of support, care and treatment when mental health problems do occur in order to promote improved chances of recovery and return to everyday life
Working to reduce the incidence of suicide in Scotland
Working to eliminate the stigma and discrimination that people with mental health problems experience
Taking a targeted approach to action to address inequalities in mental health and well-being.
2. PRIORITIES
The National Programme will focus on action in the following priority areas:
Early years - ensuring the best possible start for children in the early years of life
Childhood and young adulthood - developing and building the emotional literacy of our children and young people and supporting them through the many transitions they face
Older people - ensuring that older people can maintain a life that is satisfying and rewarding
Employment and working life - improving mental health and well-being at work, enabling people to remain in work and improving the work opportunities of people with mental health problems
Community mental health and well-being - building improved community capacity for mental health and well-being.
3. VALUES
The Programme will work to the following core values:
People have a right to be involved in determining their own futures and lives
Mental health is a component of all health
Recognising and building on the strengths and capacities of individuals, families, neighbourhoods, communities and organisations
Working in ways that encourage hope and enhance well-being
Working in ways that encourage, enhance and sustain partnership working and the development of alliances and connections
Tackling inequalities, closing the opportunity gap and working towards greater inclusion and social justice
Working as part of the national effort to complement, augment and enhance work on health improvement and social justice (and other relevant policies and work).
4. BACKGROUND
The National Programme is a key part of the Scottish Executive's Health Improvement and Social Justice strategies. Over 4 milliion has been identified from the Health Improvement Fund to support the work of the National Programme from 2001-04. The initial work of the programme focuses on promoting positive mental health and well-being, preventing suicide; and undertaking a national campaign to challenge and eliminate the stigma and discrimination which people with mental health problems in Scotland still face. 20 million over the next three years has been allocated from the Health Improvement Budget to continue the work of the National Programme.
5. EARLY ACTIONS
October 2001: Programme announced
January 2002: First meeting of National Advisory Group (chaired by Minister for Health and Community Care)
April 2002: Appointment of Gregor Henderson as National Programme Director
April 2002: 'Breathing Space' telephone advice line launched
April and September 2002: Second and third meetings of National Advisory Group
September 2002: Launch of 'Well?' magazine, to communicate to field the Programme's aims, actions, initiatives and key priority areas
October 2002: Support for publication and launch of 'With Health in Mind', by Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance
Launch of see me anti-stigma campaign.
6. FUTURE WORK
Short term
December 2002: Launch of National Strategy and Action Plan for Prevention of Suicide
December 2002: Publication of results of first National Survey of Public Attitudes in Scotland to mental health and well-being, mental illness and to people with mental health problems
December 2002: Establishment of Public Mental Health Resource Service (web-based resource) - in conjunction with HEBS
January 2003: Report of Phase 1 of Community Capacity Building in Mental Health and Well-being
Ongoing: Development of Public Mental Health Indicators (in conjunction with Public Health Institute for Scotland).
Longer term
March 2003: Development of three-year Action Plan for Programme.
For more information on the National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being see
www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/mentalwellbeing or contact the Scottish Executive on 0131 244 4006 or e-mail:
well@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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