Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:33 pm on 23 November 2022.
Thank you, Mark. Clearly, empowering communities is a key part of what we're doing and I very much support us taking a strength-based approach to that work.
As I said, we also launched the real-time suicide surveillance system, which will provide earlier access to information to help inform future prevention work, but, vitally, ensure appropriate support for those bereaved by suicide who we know are at increased risk of dying by suicide.
And I was particularly pleased that the 'Together Through Tough Times' research in Wales focused on young people and highlighted the key role of schools and colleges. We in Welsh Government wholeheartedly agree. That's why we're taking forward our whole-school approach to mental health in Wales. In March 2021, we published statutory guidance on the whole-school approach. The guidance is aimed at ensuring consistency in schools' approaches to the emotional and mental health of their learners to enable schools to put in place strategies to build on their strengths and address any weaknesses. The guidance is rooted in the value of strong relationships and connectedness that comes through very clearly in the report we're discussing today and is underpinned by over £43 million from Welsh Government budgets over the three years. And this is in addition to our groundbreaking new Curriculum for Wales, which has the health and well-being area of learning and experience at its very centre.
Our community-focused schools programme and capital investment aims to make the school site more accessible and open to the local community, respond to the needs of that community, build strong partnerships with families and collaborate effectively with other services. And we are very proud of our NEST framework, which aims to ensure a whole-system approach for developing mental health, well-being and support services for babies, children, young people, parents, carers and their families. The framework recognises the importance of safe and supportive communities for families to live, play and socialise in.
Finally, our mental health strategy, 'Together for Mental Health', takes a cross-Government and multi-agency approach to improve mental health. A key driver of our strategy is to work to improve and protect it. The role of the community and wider determinants of good mental health are already embedded as part of this approach. We are reaching the end of our 10-year strategy, and an independent evaluation of our progress will be published in due course. The work to develop our new strategy has already begun, and I intend to consult on it next year. My officials are developing an engagement plan to inform the new strategy, but we know that the role of communities in supporting well-being, social connections and increasing resilience will be a key focus. The recommendations and content of the 'Together Through Tough Times' report, I'm pleased to say, will help us in informing our thinking around the development of the future strategy.
And can I just conclude, Deputy Presiding Officer, by thanking Gareth Davies for speaking out about his own mental health today? I recognise how difficult it is to talk about that in this Chamber, but it is vital in tackling stigma, and your contribution today will help and inspire many others. Diolch.