Interested parties are invited to participate in a consultation event, on March 5th, 6th & 7th 2008 - 10.00am to 3.30pm, to discuss the current document ‘Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland’ which sets out a vision for mental health improvement and population mental health 2008-11. In setting the future direction, the paper focuses on what Local Authorities, NHS Boards and other key stakeholders can do to enhance, promote and support mental health improvement and population mental health.

The Scottish Government has recently published ‘With Inclusion in Mind – The local authority’s role in promoting wellbeing and social development’ a guide for local authorities to understand and fulfil their duties under the Mental Health (care and treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 sections 25-31. This document provides guidance and best practice to enable individuals and services to have a positive impact on all aspects of life such as education, leisure services, economic development and housing. The implication for joint working with community planning partners for both documents under policy frameworks that address inequalities and promote wellbeing has led us to plan a joint consultation exercise that will capture aspirations for a range of sectors and guide planning of services, training and activity under this important policy strand.

The events planned will be using a World Café style with round tables, hosted by facilitators who can guide the discussion and debate. The events are an opportunity to engage with the process and influence the local agenda as well as informing the Scottish Government of the Highland priorities and joint working initiatives.

Mental health issues will most likely affect you or someone you know at some point in your life. Ensuring you are supported at these times is a joint responsibility of the Local Authority and Health Board. Knowing what to do to maintain and enhance mental health is everybody’s business.

This is your opportunity to shape local services and policy. We welcome your attendance and the chance to incorporate your views into this joint planning and visionary policy work. Please complete the accompanying booking form to reserve you place and circulate this invitation to your wider social care and health networks.

If you have not seen the documents to be discussed, they can be reviewed via the following web link: http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/YourHealth/Pages/MentalHealthandWellbeing.aspx  

March 5th Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William at 10am or
March 6th Royal Marine Hotel, Brora at 10am or
March 7th Cairnbaan Hotel, By Lochgilphead at 10am