The Island’s first strategic plan for improving mental health and wellbeing is to be moved for approval at the December sitting of Tynwald by the Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK.

The strategy recognises that mental health is as important for individuals and communities as physical health. It sets out a partnership approach, between Government and other sectors, to promoting mental wellbeing and preventing the personal, social and economic costs of mental illness.

In an introduction to the document Minister Quayle writes: ‘The Plan is fundamental to unlocking the benefits of better mental health and wellbeing for all. This requires a collaborative approach recognising that improving mental health is everybody’s business.’

He continues: ‘We all recognise the importance of a healthy lifestyle but few of us take time to consider our mental health. A quarter of the population will experience mental health problems or illness at some point in their lives; this can have significant effect on numerous areas of a person’s life and those around them.

‘Mental health issues need to be seen and valued alongside physical illness and the stigma prevalent in previous generations needs to be replaced with a culture of understanding, empathy and respect.’

The strategic plan states that improving mental health and mental wellbeing will contribute to: better levels of health and education; tackling poverty, drug and alcohol misuse and homelessness; and reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system.

It provides an estimate of the annual cost of mental illness to the Island, based on UK figures, at more than ?167 million overall including over ?47 million in work-related costs.

The strategy is focused around five key areas:

• Increasing the profile of mental health and wellbeing in existing and new policies and strategies across Government, private and third sectors
• Promoting better mental wellbeing and preventing mental ill health
• Establishing collaborative care and treatment across a ‘stepped-care model’ (where the least intensive appropriate intervention is provided first)
• Commitment by all sectors to work together to improve mental health and wellbeing
• Ensuring that mental health and wellbeing information is recorded using recognised data standards and used appropriately

The Strategic Plan for Mental Health and Wellbeing has been endorsed by Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK. In a foreword to the document he writes: ‘Our mental health and wellbeing has a profound impact on our quality of life. It is just as important as our physical health and wellbeing, and yet people are far more reluctant to talk about and seek help for mental health problems.

‘This plan aims to change that. The first of its kind for the Isle of Man, the plan takes a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing and sets out the strategic vision for our Island’s vital mental health services. In doing so it supports one of the Government’s key priorities: protecting the vulnerable.’

The Strategic Plan for Mental Health and Wellbeing is available on the Tynwald website at
http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/Tynwald%2020142016/2015-GD-0070.pdf