The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales has joined calls for the Welsh government to reduce the impact of poverty and inequalities.
Currently Wales has the highest poverty rate amongst the four UK nations with 29% of children and 21% of working aged people living in poverty.
Now a range of health and social care organisations have written to all Welsh Government cabinet secretaries and ministers, requesting information on how they are working to reduce the impact of poverty and inequalities in each of their remits.
Previously, many of the same organisations wrote to the Welsh government in April 2023, but since then little progress has been made. Families continuing to face inequalities and share the devasting impact poverty is having on their lives.
These organisations are once again calling for a joined-up delivery plan that sets out milestones, timelines and clear targets detailing what every Welsh government department is doing to tackle inequalities within their remit, and how cabinet secretaries and ministers are working together to reduce the impact of poverty and deprivation on the people of Wales.
Professor Alka Ahuja MBE, chair of RCPsych Wales, said:
“Poverty and mental health are sadly, very closely linked and this is why we’re joining forces to persuade the Welsh government to deliver a solid delivery plan in this area.
“We need to be able to get to the route of poverty and inequality in Wales and reverse the impact it has on both children and adult mental health.
“Improving mental health requires an all-party approach across all government departments. Only when we get this right – things start to improve for the better.”
A list of 47 organisations who have written to the Welsh government is available online.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: wales@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: RCPsychWales