Mental health delivery and workforce plans published
- Section: 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:
Opportunity to add your organisation's name to a joint civil society letter to Scottish Government in support of human rights.
Continue readingThe research highlights challenges facing dementia carers and what support they need.
Continue readingThe pilot is the first part of the phased roll-out that will lead to the payment being available across Scotland by autumn 2024.
Continue readingA total of 110 organisations have backed the CCPS letter calling for increased pay for social care workers.
Continue readingOrganisations including Age Scotland have come together to call on the Scottish Government to include a mobility component in the payment.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Chief Officer of Development, Sara Redmond, gave evidence to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has joined partners in the HRCS to call for the Scottish Government to ensure the bill applies as widely as possible.
Continue readingInnovative policy and research launched to support NHS Scotland employees with periods and menopause at work.
Continue readingThere is strong public support for a new National Outcome on care, as a majority of the public feel care is not currently valued enough.
Continue readingThe UK's social security system is a significant contributor to need for food banks, particularly for disabled people.
Continue readingGovernment support must prioritise those most affected by the crisis.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation on an Older People's Commissioner.
Continue readingThe Scottish Government has published a recommendation report.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE have published their draft response to the Human Rights Bill Consultation.
Continue readingThe proposed board, agreed between the Government, COSLA and NHS, will aim to provide effective national oversight.
Continue readingThe study is looking for input from people who are underemployed and working in health and social care
Continue readingChanges to build a fairer tax system in Scotland could boost spending on key national priorities by hundreds of millions per year
Continue readingThe crisis is impacting every aspect of the sector including funding, services and staffing, whilst deepening existing challenges.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE have published an event summary report on social care and the Scottish Human Rights Bill consultation.
Continue readingGovernment agenda includes a welcome reopening of the Independent Living Fund, but must back up warm words on Community Links Practitioners.
Continue readingThe closing date for the national engagement phase of Let's Be Heard has been extended to 20 December 2023.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE and Scottish Government have produced several resources on polycystic ovary syndrome, in support of the Women's Health Plan.
Continue readingScottish Parliament committees have been taking evidence on key priorities in advance of the annual Scottish Budget.
Continue readingThe second National Care Service National Forum will take place in Glasgow in October, following further co-design sessions.
Continue readingGuide from the Human Rights Consortium Scotland to help organisations response to the Scottish Government consultation on incorporation.
Continue reading