Mind Cymru responds to Wales' new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
The Welsh Government has today published its new 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, marking an important moment to refresh mental health care and support in Wales for the first time in 12 years. A delivery plan outlining how the Welsh Government proposes to practically address the aims and objectives of the new strategy has also been released.
Mind Cymru has been calling for more detail on how the new strategy will be implemented and monitored since Welsh Government published its draft strategy in February 2024. The mental health charity also spoke to people with lived experience of mental health problems across Wales and shared its findings with Welsh Government during as part of its consultation on the new report too.
Simon Jones, head of policy and campaigns at Mind Cymru, said:
“The new mental health strategy is a vital step forward for Wales, especially at a time when more people than ever need help, and poverty, inequality and long waits are making people’s mental health worse.
“The strategy’s focus on tackling stigma, reducing inequalities, providing earlier support as well as involving the third sector are all priorities that people living with mental health problems, told us they wanted Welsh Government to focus on. So, whilst the direction of travel is what we wanted to see, there must now be clear and consistent leadership to deliver on these commitments with urgency and long-term funding.
“We want to see a mental health system that works for everyone, no matter your background or where you live. That means putting lived experience at the heart of change, and making sure support reaches the people who need it most - particularly those people living in poverty, young people, and people from racialised communities.
“This is a moment of opportunity. If this strategy lives up to its potential, it could make substantial improvements to people’s mental health in Wales. We’ll continue to campaign, scrutinise delivery and speak up for people who need help.”
