Child and adolescent mental health – a guide for healthcare professionals
June 2006
Strategies for improving care (Scotland)
The Scottish Executive’s plan to reform the NHS, 'Our national health. A plan for action, a plan for change' (2001), identified mental health as one of three key priorities. It commits to accelerating implementation of the Mental Health Framework, and sets out planned investment in mental health care. [Go to note 115]. The health white paper, 'Partnership for care' (2003), builds on 'Our national health', but focuses on key priorities. It sees patients and national standards as the drivers for change. [Go to note 116].
The Scottish Parliament has recently passed legislation to reform mental health law; most sections of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 became law in October 2005. [Go to note 117]. The Act defines the nature, duties and powers of organisations involved in the administration of mental health law, sets out circumstances under which a person with mental health problems may receive treatment and/or be detained on a compulsory basis, describes how people in the criminal justice system with mental health problems should be treated, and states the rights and safeguards of those with a mental health problem. 'A framework for mental health services in Scotland' (1997) outlines mental health policy, and has been updated regularly since its publication. It sets out principles that should inform comprehensive mental health services, and general guidance for NHS boards, LAs and other agencies on developing joint strategies for planning, commissioning and providing services. [Go to note 117]. The 'National programme for improving mental health and well-being' was launched in 2001 to raise the profile of improving mental health, both through promotion and prevention, encourage recovery from mental health problems, address the stigma of mental health, and reduce suicide. It provides guidance for national and local work. Two of the key priorities are improving infant mental health, and improving the mental health of children and young people. [Go to note 118].
The Scottish Executive set out its plans for improving and promoting the integration of children’s services in its report 'For Scotland’s children' (2001). [Go to note 119]. This recommends ways in which the NHS, local government and voluntary sectors can work together more effectively to meet children’s needs. It particularly focuses on disadvantaged children, and provides good practice examples of joint-working.
The 2004 ONS survey of child and adolescent mental health in Great Britain found that the prevalence of mental health problems among children and young people in Scotland was very similar to those in Great Britain as a whole. [Go to note 2]. In 2003, the Public Health Institute of Scotland (PHIS) published a Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) report on child and adolescent mental health. [Go to note 54]. This provides a way forward for NHS boards in the planning and delivery of services. It identifies three core themes in addressing mental health problems among children and young people in Scotland:
- recognising the right of children and young people to be heard, and their right to input into new approaches to mental healthcare
- mainstreaming mental health, as those with mental health problems are often marginalised
- the need to integrate promotion, prevention and treatment in dealing with mental health problems.
The Child Health Support Group is an expert advisory group which works with NHS boards to drive forward improvements to children’s health services. It is a multidisciplinary group, with representatives including healthcare, social work and education. One of its priorities is child and adolescent mental health. [Go to note 120].
Following the SNAP report, the Scottish Executive, in conjunction with the Child Health Support Group, produced 'Children and young people’s mental health: a framework for promotion, prevention and care', which was launched in October 2005. [Go to note 121]. This is intended for use by local health, education and social services as a planning and audit tool, and provides recommendations for pushing forward integrated services and identifying means of future improvement in service delivery.
The Health Promoting Schools Unit is a national joint project between health and education, highlighting the important effect schools can have on promoting health among children. The Scottish Executive set a target of 2007 for all schools to be health promoting schools. (Go here [Go to note 31] for information on the 'National Healthy Schools Programme' in England.) One of the key aims is to promote the mental and emotional wellbeing of pupils. [Go to note 122].