Ahead of the Holyrood 2021 election, we published our manifesto ‘A Wellbeing Society: Delivering Good Mental Health For All’. This outlined 14 recommendations for Scotland which will provide every person with the support and opportunity to live mentally healthy lives.
With help from Mental Health Foundation supporters, we attracted attention of all five main political parties with each one including at least one of our recommendations:
- Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: A services waiting times target of six weeks for people with mild to moderate mental health problems
- Scottish Green Party: A Community Greenspace Fund to help communities acquire and manage land to provide quality recreational greenspace
- Scottish Labour Party: Require all businesses that benefit from public procurement to commit to using no zero-hours contracts
- Scottish Liberal Democrats: A Nursery Premium to support pre-school children from disadvantaged backgrounds with an emphasis on involving parents in their child’s development
- Scottish National Party: A Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill
Additionally, more than 50 candidates pledged ‘If elected, I’ll support policies that help build a #WellbeingSociety. Scotland deserves good mental health for all.’ 13 of those who pledged are now MSPs.
We hosted a pre-election debate on mental health and what measures are needed to deliver good mental health for all. Rebecca Bell (Lib Dem), James Dornan MSP (SNP), Carol Mochan MSP (Lab), Laura Moodie (Green), and Brian Whittle MSP (Con) represented their parties and confirmed that mental health is an agreed priority.
What’s Next?
We will continue to push the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament to implement evidence-based measures that will prevent poor mental health across Scotland.
Our recommendations for a Wellbeing Society
Keep an eye on our Twitter @MHFScot further updates on campaigns.
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