A Brighter Future for Mental Health in Wales: What You Need to Know
The Welsh Government has shared a new plan for mental health that will guide us for the next 10 years, from 2025 to 2035.
The Welsh Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy is all about making sure people get help with their mental health earlier and preventing problems from getting worse. It’s a fresh look at how mental health support will work across Wales, making it easier and quicker to get the right help when you need it.
Same-day support
One of the most important parts of this new plan is the idea of “same-day support.” Imagine feeling worried or sad and being able to reach out for help and speak to someone on the very same day. That’s the goal! This means you won’t always need to get a referral from a doctor first, which can sometimes take a long time. The aim is to get you the support you need, when you need it most, without unnecessary delays.
A stepped approach
Everyone is different, and so is the help they need. The new plan talks about a “stepped approach to care.” This means there will be different levels of support available. You might start with the least intense help, like talking to someone or getting advice. If that’s not enough, you can then move to more support that is right for you. It’s like having a ladder of support, where you can climb up or down to find the right rung for your needs.
Support for wider issues
Our mental health can be affected by many things in our lives, not just our thoughts and feelings. Things like where we live, if we feel lonely, or if we’re worried about money can all have a big impact. This plan wants to help with those “wider issues” too. So, if you’re struggling with mental health because of housing problems, feeling isolated, or money worries, the plan aims to offer support for those challenges as well. It’s about looking at the whole picture of your life.
Community support
Sometimes, getting to help can be difficult, especially if it’s far away. The Welsh Government wants to make mental health support easier to get by having more of it in your local area. This community support means you might find help available closer to your home making it simpler to access when you need it. Whether that’s through local groups, centres, or familiar places in your community.
Working together
For this big plan to work, everyone needs to work together. Health boards (which manage hospitals and health services), local councils, charities, and other groups will be joining forces. This approach means that all these different organisations will connect and share ideas to make sure you get the best and most joined-up support possible.
Need to chat?
It’s great to know about these new plans, but sometimes you might still have questions or just want to talk things through. That’s where Meic comes in.
Meic is a free helpline for children and young people in Wales. You can chat with a helpline advisor about anything that’s on your mind. Whether it’s understanding more about mental health support, how the new plan might affect you, or just about how you’re feeling.
We can help you understand your options and point you towards the right support. You can get in touch with the Meic helpline by phone, WhatsApp message, text, or online chat.
