7. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Mental health and community resilience

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:31 pm on 23 November 2022.

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Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 4:31, 23 November 2022

Well, it's funny you should say that, because I was just coming on to community assets. I also recognise the importance of community assets. Our long-running communities facilities programme and our new and innovative community assets loan fund are just some of the ways we recognise and support ongoing development of infrastructure for community hubs, working with community partners to strengthen resilience in communities. We also aim to improve co-location of public services, including the commitment to develop 50 local community hubs to co-locate front-line health services as well as investing in integrated health and social care centres.

'Together Through Tough Times' highlights the importance of an open-door culture for mental health. Well, here in Wales, the creation of a 'no wrong door' approach to mental health is already a key programme for government commitment. We have significantly increased investment in our tiers 0 and 1 support to provide easy access to mental health support without the need for a referral, and we are making good progress with our roll-out of the 24/7 111 'press 2 for mental health' in Wales, with Hywel Dda University Health Board our first health board to go live with the service.

We’ve also strengthened our approach to suicide prevention and recently established a cross-Government suicide strategic prevention group. 'Talk to me 2', our suicide prevention strategy, recognises that community connection helps strengthen protection against suicide. Earlier this year, we also launched the real-time suicide surveillance system—[Interruption.] I’m assuming my time will be added to.