People who need mental health support will increasingly have
access to same-day services, as part of an ambitious plan to
further improve care across Wales
The new 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy is centred
on early intervention, prevention and person-centred and ensuring
people are referred to the most appropriate form of support, at
the right time and without delay.
A key part of the transformation of mental healthcare will be
open access services, with people receiving same-day support
without the need for a referral.
This shift has already begun with the introduction of Wales-wide
111 press 2 service for urgent mental health care.
It will be developed further with a stepped care model, providing
appropriate support at each level; people will only be referred
for more intensive support when, and if, it is needed.
The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been
shaped by the voices of people it is designed to support. It
ensures the building blocks are in place to support good mental
health and that people can be supported to protect their own
mental health and wellbeing.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing said: "This strategy
represents a major shift in how we approach mental health and
wellbeing in Wales.
“By focusing on prevention and early intervention, while ensuring
easy access to support when needed, we are working to create a
Wales where everyone can thrive.
"We know that good mental health depends on much more than
healthcare alone.
“That's why we're working to address all the factors that affect
wellbeing – from housing and employment to tackling loneliness
and building stronger communities."
As well as improving access to mental health support, the
strategy focuses on developing better connections between
services to support people when they need it.
This person-centred approach will include linking people to
community-based, non-clinical support, through a ‘social
prescribing' process.
Living Streets Cymru organises weekly guided walks and campaigns
for better walking infrastructure. Its Walking Friends Wales
programme has previously benefited from Welsh Government support
and supports older people at risk of loneliness and social
isolation.
Ruth Billingham, from Living Streets Cymru,
said: “Walking has huge mental and physical health
benefits. Joining a walking group is also brilliant for
self-confidence and reducing loneliness.
“Our local groups bring people together to organise walks, make
new connections and campaign for changes to their local walking
environment. They tell us that walking and talking help to tackle
feelings of loneliness, anxiety and sadness.”
Notes to editors
About Living Streets Cymru
We are Living Streets Cymru, part of the UK charity for everyday
walking and the people behind the UK's biggest walk to school
campaign. We want to create a nation where walking is the natural
choice for everyday, local journeys; free from congested roads
and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illnesses and
social isolation. We want to achieve a better walking environment
and to inspire people of all generations to enjoy the benefits
the simple act of walking brings.
For more than 90 years we've been a beacon for walking. In our
early days our campaigning led to the UK's first zebra crossings
and speed limits. Now our campaigns and local projects deliver
real change to overcome barriers to walking and our
groundbreaking initiatives such as the world's biggest Walk to
School campaign encourage millions of people to walk.
