Mini Plenary Session 4 - Reform of Mental Health Services and Updating the Mental Health Strategy

14:00 - 15:15

Mental Health has been at the forefront of recovery from the pandemic. The publication of the Transition And Recovery Plan, supported by a £120m Recovery And Renewal Fund, has shaped the current and future direction.

 

The reform of mental health services is fundamental to this, as is ensuring that the right help and support is available at all levels of need. The Scottish Government is committed to publishing an updated Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy during 2022, with mental health also central for the National Care Service.

 

This session is an opportunity to reflect on the last year, and to discuss the ongoing role of mental health in supporting the recovery of NHS Scotland. It is also an opportunity to shape the development of the updated Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy.

 

This will be followed by a panel Q&A chaired by Alastair Cook, Principal Medical Officer for Mental Health.  The panel will consist of representatives with lived experience and senior colleagues from NHS Scotland and the Third sector.

Alastair Cook

Principal Medical officer for Mental Health, Scottish Government


Alastair Cook became Principal Medical Officer for Mental Health, in Scottish Government in July 2020.

Wendy Halliday

Director at See Me


Wendy was previously See Me’s interim Director and before that assistant director of programmes. In that role she led the organisations response to human rights and oversaw the Health and Social Care, Workplace, Education and Young People’s teams, as well our Social Movement team.

Pam Dudek

Chief Executive of NHS Highland


Pam Dudek is the Chief Executive of NHS Highland.

Karen Martin

Mental Health Co-ordinator, Carers Trust Scotland


Karen is a carer for her husband who has mental health and physical health issues. She is the Mental Health Coordinator for Carers Trust Scotland and also a member of various advisory bodies, representing the views of carers at these groups.

Susan Solomon

Senior Research Manager (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Mental Health Foundation


Susan is the Senior Research Manager at the Mental Health Foundation and for the past two years has been managing the Foundation’s longitudinal study on COVID-19 and mental health.