The purpose of the strategy is to set out mental health priorities for Lanarkshire over the next five years and beyond.

It is being developed as part of a partnership involving NHS Lanarkshire, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership. All those interested in its development can contribute to the strategy over the coming months.

Engagement work has been taking place since autumn 2018, involving patients, carers, the public, staff, voluntary and third sector organisations and a reminder is going out to the wider public including those who use or know someone who uses mental health services that their opinions and input will help influence the strategy’s development.

Liz MacWhinney from Lanarkshire Links – the mental health service user and carer led involvement organisation – said: “We’re encouraging all our members to get involved and would urge the wider public to do so as well.

“It will allow all those who have the lived experience or who have an interest in mental health services to make a positive contribution to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy by giving their thoughts and views.

“Ordinary people’s contribution is essential to accurately reflect the needs of patients, families and carers and for their views to be reflected in the strategy.”

Anne Armstrong, nurse director, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire is the executive lead on behalf of the partnerships for the strategy development.

Anne said: “We will align Lanarkshire’s strategy with the Scottish Government ambition to ensure Scotland prevents and treats mental health problems with the same commitment, passion and drive as we do with physical health problems.

“The formation of this strategy gives us the opportunity to examine how mental health and wellbeing services currently work and explore new ways of working to get an approach that puts the person at the centre of support and care.”

Kate Bell, programme director, said: “It’s crucial that we get the views and opinions of people with lived experience, carers, service users, the wider public, staff and third sector groups.

“The strategy content will reflect how we will work in the future and must be informed by the needs of the population”

People are being asked:

• What they feel are the needs of the local population.
• How we can improve access to mental health in primary care settings
• Their thoughts on dementia and mental health
• About children and young people’s mental health
• Their views on specialist mental health services.

Anne continued: “It’s a unique opportunity for people to consider existing mental health services and supports and give us their views on what they view are the future requirements and models of mental health care and support in Lanarkshire.”

A first draft of the strategy will be available by the end of March 2019 and people will have six weeks to comment on it between 8 April and 24 May.

The final Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy for Lanarkshire is expected to be ready by the summer. Further work will take place to help with the implementation of the strategy.

To find out more visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/consult-engage/mental-health-strategy/ or contact the mental health & wellbeing strategy project team at: MHStrategy@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Photo caption: Liz McWhinney (front second right) and Kate Bell (front second left) with representatives from Lanarkshire Links and other mental health groups at a recent Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy focus group.