WEDNESDAY, 01 DECEMBER, 2021

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Perth and Kinross Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2025 launched

The Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership launched its Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022 -2025 today (Wednesday, 1 December).

The strategy, which was approved during the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (P&K HSCP) Integration Joint Board (IJB) today, has been developed with involvement from a range of stakeholders including people with lived experience, their families and carers, third sector organisations and staff from across health and social care and local authorities.

The strategy provides an overview of the work currently underway throughout Perth and Kinross and also identifies overarching commitments and associated actions to enhance community mental health and wellbeing services locally.

The strategy outlines how P&K HSCP will ensure services can continue to deliver high quality care now and in the future and promote good mental health and wellbeing for all. This will be delivered across five mental health and wellbeing strategic themes:

• Good Mental Health for All – Prevention and Early Intervention

• Access To Mental Health Services and Support

• Coordinated Working and Person-Centred Support

• Participation and Engagement

• Review of Workforce Requirements

Perth and Kinross IJB Chair Bob Benson said, “Plans to improve community mental health and wellbeing services are a key priority for the IJB and this three-year strategy has been developed alongside people with lived experience and professional experience to ensure that their voices are at the centre of the plans.

“Good mental health and wellbeing benefits us all and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of supporting our mental health and wellbeing as much as our physical health.

“The IJB is committed to this strategy which is an important part of our plans to enhance community mental health services across Perth and Kinross.”

P&K HSCP Chief Officer Gordon Paterson said, “I am pleased to launch the Perth and Kinross Community Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy today.

“P&K HSCP aims to put the person at the centre of decisions about their support, treatment, and care, with mental health and wellbeing services working together across all sectors to make sure people can get the right help at the right time.

“The Partnership will work together with people with lived experience, their families, carers, health and social care professionals, and other organisations to strengthen and improve our mental health services. Together, we will ensure that mental health support is accessible, joined-up, inclusive and shaped by the people the services are designed to support.”

Welcoming the strategy, the Third Sector Health and Social Care Strategic Forum in Perth and Kinross, which meets regularly to consider key business for the P&K HSCP and has been involved in the development of the community mental health and wellbeing strategy, added, “This strategy is not a wish list of what mental health services should look like but a picture of reality when we all work together.”   

The Perth and Kinross Community Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy reflects the recommendations of the Scottish Government’s National Mental Health Strategy (2017-2027) and also builds upon the Living Life Well – Tayside Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy which launched earlier this year.

The strategy paper approved by the Board is available to view on the Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board Committee Pages.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138

Tay.communications@nhs.scot