From the Scottish Executive

David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
Discussion on mental health 
02/10/2002
Press release also at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2002/10/SEhd198.aspx
A discussion document designed to encourage local and national debate on the meaning and importance of mental health and well-being in Scotland, was published today.
'With Health in Mind: improving mental health and well-being in Scotland', launched by the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance, follows on from the publication last month of 'Well?' - an introduction to the Scottish Executive's National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being in Scotland.
The Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance raise a number of important issues and point to the need to achieve public and political commitment to improving mental health and well-being in Scotland. Some of the major issues raised in the discussion document include: identifying the key influences on mental health and well-being in Scotland; the need to measure and monitor Scotland's mental health and well-being and; the premise that public mental health should be the concern of all us in Scotland. 
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"This discussion document by the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance is a helpful contribution to the growing discussion on the issues and actions required in Scotland for improving good mental health and well-being. It highlights the central role mental health and well-being plays in the health of individuals, families, communities and Scottish society.
"These are areas which we are addressing in our National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being and we are pleased to have been able to provide support to the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance in the production of this discussion document. We will be following closely the views expressed and look forward to hearing the results of the
discussions."
Copies are available direct from the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance by contacting the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health on 0131 555 5959.
'With Health in Mind: improving mental health and well-being in Scotland: A document to support discussion and action' is launched on 2 October 2002 at 16:00 hrs at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. Contact: Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health 0131 555 5959.
The National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being in Scotland is supported by £4m investment form the Executive's Health Improvement Fund over a 3-year period from 2001-2004. The Programme's initial components of work include: a survey of public attitudes to mental health issues (to report in November 2002); the National Anti-Stigma Campaign to be launched in Mental Health Week (7-13 October) and; a National Strategy and Action Plan for Preventing Suicide and Reducing the Suicide Rate in Scotland, which will be published in November 2002. The National Programme is directed by Gregor Henderson, who was appointed on 1 April 2002 on secondment to the Scottish Executive from his post as Director of the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health. More information on the National Programme can be found at: www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/mentalwellbeing
The Minister for Health and Community Care chairs a National Advisory Group, which advises Ministers on the development and implementation of the National Programme. The Group's membership consists of policy advisors within the Scottish Executive and representatives from health, social work and education authorities, including the Public Health Institute of Scotland (PHIS), the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS), a the
Royal Colleges of Psychiatrists, GPs and Nursing, CBI Scotland, the STUC and health promotion specialists. Members of the Scottish Public Mental Health Alliance also serve as members of the National Advisory Group.