The Mental Health Foundation backs the Scottish Government’s calls for an approach that promotes a joined-up locality-based response to end the need for food banks.
We welcome plans for developing a holistic network of support services alongside a cash-first approach.
The link between household food insecurity and poor mental health should be made much more explicit and therefore we recommend that elements of the approach and plan be reviewed to reflect the impact of food scarcity on mental health throughout.
The Foundation recommends that mental health providers and advocates form an integral part of any holistic support service network to ensure that those who live in poverty and who have been forced to use food banks receive the right support to improve their mental health and wellbeing and that related policy developments adopt a mentally healthy approach.