The pandemic has had a major impact on all our mental health, in very many different ways. As Jack Sargeant has highlighted, we all have mental health, and some days it's good, some days it's not so good. We've seen that the anxiety of those who've felt isolated and alone in lockdown has been matched for some by apprehension about rejoining society as restrictions are lifted. For some, we know that the pandemic represented a chance to reconnect with communities, as neighbours came together in support, and where families were able to spend more time together. That's why, whilst the impact of COVID is likely to be detrimental, it's vital for us to understand in more detail the impact on certain groups.

We continue to strengthen the arrangements that we put in place at the start of the pandemic. Our analytical support is drawing out the latest evidence and outcomes from population surveys in Wales and across the UK. We've established a ministerial mental health oversight and delivery board, which I chair personally. It is providing me with greater assurance on the progress being made in delivering our mental health programme of work, but also the opportunity to challenge if I feel insufficient pace is being employed or progress being made. Importantly, the board membership includes Public Health Wales and our knowledge and analytical services to strengthen our analytical support.

Analysis has shown that whilst levels of anxiety have remained higher than pre pandemic, we have seen fluctuations, and understandably, levels of anxiety have reduced when restrictions have been eased. Aspects of personal health and well-being, concern about the health and well-being of others, and personal finances have all caused worries for individuals to differing extents over the course of lockdown. We also know that the impact has not been felt consistently across all groups. Responses to surveys show that certain groups of people, such as those with pre-existing mental health conditions, young adults, black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, those in lower-income households and women, for example, report higher levels of mental health concerns than others, and have done so throughout the pandemic. We know that surveys by the Children's Commissioner for Wales also highlight the impact on children and young people.

In October 2020, our 'Together for Mental Health' delivery plan was revised in response to these changes and other evidence, and now includes a range of new or accelerated actions to provide additional support where it is most needed. In particular, we have strengthened and expanded our tier 0 offer to provide open access to a range of non-clinical mental health support. This can be accessed over the phone or online and doesn't need a referral from a health professional. Much of this support is being provided by the third sector, who I join Tom Giffard in thanking, and they are also often so well placed to reach the most marginalised and vulnerable communities across Wales. We know, too, that for some groups, overcoming stigma in seeking mental health support is particularly hard. Our mental health delivery plan therefore includes specific actions that are overseen by the stigma and discrimination sub-group of our mental health national partnership board. This includes a dedicated black, Asian and minority ethnic task and finish group that is currently reviewing what further action is required to support diverse communities accessing mental health support.

I also recognise, in relation to the motion today, the need to strengthen our oversight in response to the incidence of self-harm in Wales. Research led by Swansea University shows that whilst we've seen an increase in self-harm in young people over the last 10 years, numbers have dropped across all ages during the pandemic, based on hospital and accident and emergency admissions. The incidence of self-harm is now similar to pre-pandemic levels. But I am not in any way complacent. Self-harming behaviour is complex, and the NHS admissions data is only one element of the information we need to better understand levels of self-harm in Wales. We will do all that we can to reduce incidence of self-harm. I can confirm that the NHS Wales collaborative commissioning unit and Improvement Cymru are establishing a programme of work to review the evidence and data to support our approach to self-harm prevention.

In response to Janet Finch-Saunders's comments about suicide rates, can I assure the Member that we are monitoring suicide rates very, very closely, as is happening throughout the UK? The evidence currently suggests that we are not seeing a rise in suicide rates as a result of the pandemic, but we are not in any way complacent about that. That's why we are introducing a means of real-time surveillance so that we can—[Interruption.] Go on, then.