February 2025
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examineed key priorities for improving mental health provision in Wales, focusing on next steps following recent policy developments.
It brought together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the Welsh Government’s Draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2034, with the full strategy due to be published early in 2025, looking at practicalities for implementation and drawing on responses to the public consultation published in October.
Delegates assessed scope, funding and considerations for implementation if policy aims are to be achieved. They explored how effectively the strategy can address challenges, including delivering inclusive support to diverse populations such as older people and neurodiverse individuals, setting a balance between clinical interventions and long-term preventative approaches, putting in place innovative frameworks that emphasise trauma-informed care, and working toward harm minimisation and stigma reduction.
Sessions in the agenda also considered priorities for improving young people’s mental health, supporting wellbeing in educational settings, and addressing socioeconomic inequalities in access to care. Delegates considered next steps for key initiatives and how the recent £90m funding boost announced in the Welsh Government Annual Report 2024, dedicated to expanding mental health services and addressing socioeconomic disparities that impact mental wellbeing, can most effectively and fairly be allocated to help tackle current and emerging challenges.
Further sessions looked at implementation of the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy, and its central aims of supporting high-risk groups and promoting responsible media communication. Key regulatory considerations for maintaining and improving mental health provision standards were discussed, alongside strategies and best practice for addressing stigma and the impact of social media on mental health.
The agenda also looked at priorities for recruitment and retention of a well-trained and supported mental healthcare workforce, equipped to support all ages in mental healthcare. We expected discussion on taking forward the Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan for Health and Social Care, as well as latest thinking on strategies for increasing collaboration between sectors, coordination across agencies and services, developing clear leadership, and making better use of expertise and experience from the community and third sector.
Discussion was also expected on how best to prepare for future use of digital innovation and AI in mental health service delivery, in line with the Digital and Data Strategy for Health and Social Care.
We are pleased to have been able to include a keynote session with Simon Jones, Head, Policy and Campaigns, Mind Cymru.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- policy: priorities following publication of new government strategies - considering stakeholder consultation feedback - evaluating scope, funding and practicalities
- considerations for implementation: aligning clinical interventions with preventative strategies - implementing trauma-informed care - working towards harm minimisation and stigma reduction
- inclusive support: delivering mental health services to diverse populations - addressing needs of older people and neurodiverse individuals - ensuring tailored care provision
- CAMHS: improving support for young people - promoting wellbeing in educational settings - addressing impact of social media - improving media representation
- addressing inequalities: tackling socioeconomic disparities in mental health care and access - ensuring fair funding allocation - strategies to reduce stigma
- coordination: developing clear leadership across services - improving multi-agency coordination - fostering collaboration between sectors - aligning aims and implementing a range of strategies
- regulatory standards: maintaining and improving provision across services - assessing effectiveness of quality statements - achieving compliance and sharing best practices
- workforce development: recruitment and retention - enhancing training and support - digital preparedness - integrating third and voluntary sectors - the Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan
- innovation: new approaches to treatment and care - leveraging digital tools and AI - enhancing service delivery - building workforce digital skills - aligning with the Digital and Data Strategy
- funding: effective use of the provision in the Welsh Government Annual Report 2024 - priorities for addressing socioeconomic disparities - tackling current issues and identifying emerging challenges
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those that attended include officials from the Welsh Government; DWP; DoE, NI; and DoH, NI.
