Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales 2025-2035

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On Wednesday 30 April, the Welsh Government launched its new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales.

Guided by four vision statements and supported by a number of principles, the overarching aim of the Strategy is to ensure that people in Wales live in a country which promotes, supports and empowers them to improve their mental health and wellbeing, free from stigma and discrimination.

An initial 3-year Delivery Plan has been published alongside the Strategy, detailing actions to be taken by the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and other key partners in the short-term. An annual update on progress against said actions will be published each year.

RCPsych Wales is proud to have played a leading role in shaping the development of the Strategy and informing its contents.

We particularly welcome the increased focused on severe and enduring mental health conditions, which was lacking in the predecessor Together for Mental Health Strategy. The clear ambition of the Welsh Government to reduce the mortality gap between people who have severe and enduring mental health conditions and those that do not is laudable.

Likewise, we are pleased that the importance of easy access to support and expertise is front and forefront within the Strategy. This follows RCPsych Wales’ recent review of the first-year operation of the NHS Wales 111 Press 2 for Mental Health service, which has proved effective in reducing callers’ levels of distress. We are also currently reviewing the Alternatives to Admissions for Young People programme, which will further complement the Strategy and its emphasis on the 'front door' of mental health services.

Attention now turns to implementation and effectuating meaningful change. RCPsych Wales stands ready to play its part in that regard and is delighted to be listed as a key stakeholder within the Delivery Plan.

Key commitments by the Welsh Government include:

• By the end of year 1, considering the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee and RCPsych Wales’ review of mental health services for deaf people and developing an implementation plan to align with the central approach to improve support for people with sensory loss across all health services.

• In years two and three, developing appropriate service specifications to support quality statements. These will support needs led transitions and consider relevant RCPsych guidance and NICE guidelines.

Chair of RCPsych in Wales, Professor Alka Ahuja MBE, said:

“The publication of the Welsh Government’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of improved mental health care across Wales.

“Together with the Delivery Plan, the Strategy offers a clear direction of travel over the next decade to ensure that the growing number of people in crisis can get appropriate and more equitable access to mental health support.

“The Welsh Government’s engagement and consultation on the Strategy is to be commended.

“RCPsych Wales calls for continued focus on addressing the practical challenges that lie ahead to ensure maximum impact and deliverability. More must be done to both recruit and retain psychiatrists to effectively meet clinical needs, particularly those of individuals with severe and enduring mental illness.

We look forward to working constructively with partners to improve mental health outcomes for all.”