Consultation display

Purpose of the consultation

The Health and Social Care Committee is holding an inquiry into mental health inequalities.

 

The Centre for Mental Health describes a ‘triple barrier’ of mental health inequality, which affects large numbers of people from different sections of the population:

 

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>>>Some groups of people are disproportionately at risk of poor mental health. This is often linked to wider inequalities in society.

>>>Groups with particularly high levels of poor mental health can have the most difficulty accessing services.

>>>When people do get support, their experiences and outcomes are often poorer.

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These inequalities existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic has made them worse.

 

The Committee is looking in particular for views about:

 

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>>>Which groups of people are disproportionately affected by poor mental health in Wales? What factors contribute to worse mental health within these groups?

>>>For the groups identified, what are the barriers to accessing mental health services? How effectively can existing services meet their needs, and how could their experience of using mental health services be improved?

>>>To what extent does Welsh Government policy recognise and address the mental health needs of these groups? Where are the policy gaps?

>>>What further action is needed, by whom/where, to improve mental health and outcomes for the groups of people identified and reduce mental health inequalities in Wales?

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We want to make sure that our work is informed by experiences, needs, and views that reflect the diversity of the people and communities affected by these issues.

 

We encourage anyone with expertise or experience of these issues to share your views, with the full knowledge that your views will be welcomed and valued.

 

The closing date for submissions is Thursday 24 February 2022.

 

Along with your submission, you should provide the following information:

 

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>>>Your name and contact details as the person, or organisation, submitting the evidence.

>>>Whether your evidence is submitted as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation.

>>>If you are submitting evidence as an individual, confirmation that you are over 18 years old.

>>>If you are under 13 years old, your parent or guardian’s agreement that you can participate (this can be provided via email).

>>>Confirmation of whether you would prefer that your name is not published alongside your evidence (names of individuals under 18 years old will not be published).

>>>Confirmation of whether you would like the committee to treat any or all of your written evidence as confidential, with reasons for the request.

>>>If you have referred to a third party in your evidence, such as a parent, spouse or relative, confirmation that they have agreed that you can share information that may be used to identify them and that they understand that it will be published.

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How to share your views

To share your views electronically, please send to SeneddHealth@senedd.wales, or by post to Health and Social Care Committee, Welsh Parliament, Cardiff, CF99 1SN.

 

 

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

 

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme the Committee requests that documents or written responses to consultations intended for publication or use in Senedd proceedings are submitted bilingually. When documents or written responses are not submitted bilingually, we will publish in the language submitted, stating that it has been received in that language only.

 

We expect other organisations to implement their own standards or schemes and to comply with their statutory obligation.

 

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

 

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.

 

Help and support

If you need help and support, the C.A.L.L mental health helpline for Wales provides mental health and emotional support, and signposting to local services:

 

Freephone 24 hours a day on 0800 132 737, or text HELP to 81066.

Website: http://callhelpline.org.uk/

 

If you’re struggling to cope, need to talk to someone or feeling suicidal, you can contact Samaritans.

 

Freephone 24 hours a day from any phone on 116 123.

Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (7pm-11pm, 7 days a week)

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: Samaritans Cymru

 

You can also find information about other mental health resources and sources of support in the Senedd Research mental health support factsheet