Spotlight on Holyrood: 24 February 2012

The Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson responded: “The Scottish Government sets national policy direction for mental health and provides funding to NHS boards and local authorities to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local service planning and delivery, spending priorities, and the contribution of the voluntary sector in this, is the responsibility of relevant local agencies.”

“The Scottish Government is currently developing its mental health strategy… One of the outcomes in the consultation on the mental health strategy focuses on improving the reach of mental health services to give better access to minority and high-risk groups and those who might not otherwise access services.”

“For example, the national Suicide. Don’t Hide It. Talk About It campaign tackles the stigma associated with suicide, and encourages people at risk to talk to someone about feeling suicidal as the first step towards getting help. The campaign signposts people to the Breathing Space and Samaritans helplines.

“Since almost three out of four suicides are by men and young people are more vulnerable, the campaign particularly aims to reach young men, who traditionally find it less easy to talk about their mood or difficulties they may be facing.”

“That the Parliament considers that the two thousand volunteers who serve on housing association management committees and boards, 58 per cent of whom are tenants or other service users, play a valuable role; notes that, of the 163 registered social landlords in Scotland, 80 per cent are constituted as charities, and 103 received Wider Role funding in 2010-11, with many being involved in community regeneration activities and services and active through related bodies such as social enterprise companies and community development trusts.

“Further notes that, while housing associations own 11 per cent of Scotland’s homes (272,000 houses) and employ over 11,500 full-time equivalent workers, many are relatively small and local or community based, with almost 80 per cent owning 2,000 houses or less, and the median number of employees being 18; considers that housing associations make a major contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of Scotland’s communities, and believes that community ownership, local accountability and the democratic participation of tenants and service users are crucial elements of their success, and should be promoted and preserved by the Scottish Housing Regulator in carrying out its role.”

The Scottish Government consultation on Affordable Rented Housing: Creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities.

Responses have been published to Devolution of Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans: Consultation on Successor Arrangements.

The Scottish Government consultation on Allied Health Professionals (AHP) National delivery Plan.

New Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefings are out on Unemployment January 2012, The National Performance Framework and Scotland Performs.