2.1 Describe key aspects of a local, national or international strategy to promote mental wellbeing and mental health

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Describe key aspects of a local, national or international strategy to promote mental wellbeing and mental health.

Mental wellbeing and mental health are crucial areas of focus for policymakers and organisations. In the UK, several strategies—local, national, and even international—have been created to promote better mental health outcomes. This guide highlights the key aspects of one such national strategy: the NHS Long-Term Plan.

Mental Health in the NHS Long-Term Plan

The NHS Long-Term Plan, introduced in 2019, provides detailed objectives for improving mental health care over a ten-year period. This strategy aims to address challenges in mental health service provision across the country. Its key aspects are described below:

Expansion of Community-Based Services

The plan prioritises increasing community mental health services to make care more accessible.

Community mental health services are designed to deliver ongoing support to individuals in their local area. They target people with severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The expansion includes:

• Delivering integrated care through partnerships between NHS trusts, social care teams, voluntary organisations, and local residents.
• Establishing new community-based teams across England, especially for adults with moderate to severe mental health needs.
• Increasing outreach services to treat individuals closer to home, reducing dependency on hospital stays.

Focus on Early Intervention

The plan incorporates steps to identify conditions early and provide treatment before these worsen.

Early intervention lowers the risk of long-term complications by addressing emerging issues at their earliest stage. Examples include:

• Expanding access to psychological therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for people experiencing depression or anxiety disorders.
• Increasing access to services for children and young people, such as counselling in schools.
• Investing in dedicated perinatal mental health teams for new and expectant mothers.

Early intervention benefits both individuals and public services by reducing demand for crisis care.

Improving Services for Children and Young People

The strategy emphasises the mental health of younger generations by expanding services for children and adolescents.

Children’s mental health services are often referred to as CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Key developments under the plan include:

• Creating mental health support teams for schools to help teachers, staff, and students.
• Setting targets for quicker access to specialist CAMHS services.
• Increasing investment in prevention programmes aimed at teaching children coping mechanisms and boosting resilience.

Developing Crisis Mental Health Services

The NHS Long-Term Plan aims to transform how mental health services respond to emergencies.

Crisis services assist individuals who require immediate care due to severe distress or risk of harm to themselves or others. The strategy strives to improve crisis support by:

• Providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access to NHS crisis services.
• Establishing dedicated crisis cafes and safe spaces to help individuals experiencing acute mental health distress.
• Expanding ambulance services to include mental health paramedics capable of addressing crisis situations.

These changes reduce pressure on A&E departments while improving the response in emergencies.

Investment in Mental Health Workforce

A strong workforce is essential for delivering high-quality care.

The plan highlights the recruitment and training of mental health professionals. Achievements include:

• Creating additional posts for psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and therapists.
• Upskilling existing staff to adapt to modern methods.
• Promoting mental health training throughout allied health professions.

Encouraging careers in mental health contributes to improving access to care for the growing number of service users.

Tackling Inequalities in Mental Health

Reducing disparities is a key goal under the strategy.

Certain groups, such as ethnic minorities, homeless individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities, face barriers when accessing mental health care. The plan works towards:

• Establishing culturally sensitive care models responsive to diverse needs.
• Increasing outreach services for marginalised groups.
• Enhancing mental health support for victims of trauma or abuse.

Addressing inequalities ensures care is accessible to everyone, regardless of background.

Integration of Physical and Mental Health Care

Mental and physical health are often interlinked.

The strategy acknowledges the connection by promoting integrated care. This involves:

• Expanding psychological services for people with physical health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
• Promoting lifestyle interventions to improve both physical and mental wellbeing, like exercise and diet programmes.
• Appointing mental health nurses into physical health clinics.

Integrated care reduces the stigma surrounding mental health concerns and highlights their importance in overall health.

Harnessing Technology in Mental Health Care

Technology plays an increasing role in delivering mental health services.

The NHS Long-Term Plan incorporates digital solutions to give users more ways to access support. Examples include:

• Expanding digital platforms for online counselling and therapy sessions.
• Providing apps to help individuals manage symptoms, such as those offering mindfulness exercises.
• Using video conferencing for remote consultations.

Technology improves accessibility for people who may struggle to attend in-person sessions, such as rural residents or those with mobility issues.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention initiatives receive dedicated attention under the plan.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in the UK. The strategy focuses on reducing suicide rates through:

• Enhancing crisis services and helplines to support individuals in distress.
• Offering suicide prevention training for frontline staff, like GPs.
• Encouraging community partnerships to develop local prevention programmes.

Creating safer environments helps reduce loss of life and supports vulnerable individuals.

Financial Commitment

Delivering ambitious goals requires significant funding.

The NHS Long-Term Plan is backed by increased investment to ensure its priorities are met. Mental health funding has increased year-on-year since the plan was introduced, including:

• Ringfenced funds for expanding therapeutic services.
• Long-term commitments to improve buildings, supplies, and equipment.
• Extra resources for research and innovation in mental health.

Improved funding builds stronger service frameworks capable of addressing demand effectively.

Role of Collaboration and Public Involvement

Collaboration across government agencies, local authorities, and charities is key for the success of the plan. Public engagement also helps shape effective services. Examples include:

• Working with national charities like Mind or Rethink Mental Illness to deliver projects.
• Inviting service users to contribute their experiences during consultations.
• Developing programmes based on local demand through direct engagement with communities.

Collaboration improves accountability while ensuring services are accessible and responsive.

International Links

The plan maintains connections to wider global strategies, such as the World Health Organization’s mental health priorities. The UK ensures its approach aligns with international efforts to enhance mental health literacy and improve access to care worldwide.

Final Thoughts

The NHS Long-Term Plan is an ambitious strategy with clear goals for transforming mental health services across the UK. By focusing on prevention, intervention, funding, and collaboration, the plan seeks to address gaps in care while ensuring accessible support for all. Improving these services contributes directly to better health outcomes and greater wellbeing across the population.