Mental health delivery and workforce plans published
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 7th November 2023
The plans outline the actions both Scottish and Local governments will take to deliver on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have jointly published the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan 2023-2025‘ and accompanying ‘Workforce Action Plan‘ for 2023-2025. These follow the publication in June of the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy‘, and describe the actions that will be taken forward at both national and local level to deliver on the strategy.
The Delivery Plan aims to achieve nine outcomes that should result from the strategy, including improved overall mental wellbeing and reduced inequalities; more effective cross-policy action to address factors impacting mental health and wellbeing; and better access to and use of evidence and data in policy and practice. Delivery against those outcomes is intended to be achieved through 10 priorities which include; tackling mental health stigma and discrimination; increase mental health capacity within general practice and primary care; and strengthening support and care pathways for people requiring neurodevelopmental support.
The Workforce Action Plan is centred around five overarching aims:
- Plan, which includes actions aimed to ensuring the availability of support at the right place and time
- Attract, which includes actions to support people into the mental health and wellbeing workforce
- Train, which includes actions to upskill the workforce and support them with new technology
- Employ, which includes actions to embed Fair Work principles and growth within the workforce
- Nurture, which includes actions to improve working conditions and support
As a member of the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Equality and Human Rights Stakeholder Forum, the ALLIANCE provided input to the draft mental health and wellbeing strategy and delivery plans. We welcome the delivery plan actions, including Action 4.4.3, which seeks to “work with key partners to understand the mental health harms related to gambling and explore ways to raise awareness of these harms and support people effectively.” In September 2023, the ALLIANCE Scotland Reducing Gambling Harms programme published an event report exploring the link between mental health and gambling harm. Amongst the other actions in the plans, the ALLIANCE and partners – including Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland – were involved in developing a set of ‘core mental health standards‘ that were published earlier this year. An easy read version of the delivery plan is available from the Scottish Government website.
End of page.
You may also like:
Young people’s feedback will help NHS 24 better understand needs and improve support services.
Continue readingALLIANCE input and lived experience evidence help shape stronger, person-centred and trauma-informed maternity care
Continue readingSupporting stronger information rights, while warning delivery must work for an already stretched sector
Continue readingA new resource by Adaptation Scotland to help social care professionals integrate climate adaptation into care planning and delivery.
Continue readingRead more about the ALLIANCE response to the report on the impact of COVID-19 on the health and social care sector in Scotland.
Continue readingUp to £20 million to be delivered via Independent Living Fund to help people live in their communities
Continue readingRefined plans focus on practical measure to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.
Continue readingMarie Curie has published new analysis showing that almost one in three people in Scotland die without the palliative care they need.
Continue readingShare your views before 19 February
Continue readingReform of the council tax system is long overdue, with the current system negatively impacting funding for services including social care.
Continue readingFirst monitoring report shows improvements in wellbeing and services alongside ongoing gaps in data and unequal outcomes
Continue readingProgress in many areas is welcome, but the budget must go further on social care, mental health and third sector support.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue readingCommission raises concerns over the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland
Continue readingNew online platform invites individuals and communities to shape Scotland’s path to net zero
Continue readingA survey of ALLIANCE third sector members found a worsening financial crisis arising from a range of pressures.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a briefing for the Scottish Parliament debate on BSL, taking place on 11 December 2025.
Continue readingScottish Government outline actions in response to economic, social and cultural rights observations
The plan comes in response to the Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights earlier this year.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE urges stronger social care integration, a clearer prevention focus and digital inclusion at the heart of NHS Delivery proposals
Continue readingNearly half of unpaid carers cut back on essentials as financial and health pressures intensify
Continue readingNew report warns thousands spending their final months in financial hardship and fuel poverty
Continue readingIndependent expert panel review recommends major changes to align abortion law with modern clinical practice
Continue readingALLIANCE and Engender call for an intersectional and rights-based approach to underpin a national investigation into maternity services.
Continue readingThe response welcomes ambition of draft standards but identifies key gaps in inclusion and communication
Continue reading