We will support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of those in our community to provide better outcomes for individuals and less reliance on services.
2022/23 saw the culmination of work begun in the Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience project over recent years. A gap identified by the project workers in the process of their peer research was around Mental Health and Wellbeing support for young people, outwith existing statutory services.
To build on these findings, the Shetland Children’s Partnership established a short-life working group to agree a service specification to meet the outcomes. From there the ’Well Youth’ service was designed. This has gone on to be commissioned jointly by the Council and Shetland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and is run by local third sector provider Mind your Head. The free service is open to self-referrals, and offers young people aged 10-25 the opportunity to seek support early and work with a Wellness Practitioner to develop a plan for support and build up their skills to cope with future challenges.
The Council has in place a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This is delivered by Care First, an independent provider of professional employee support services. The package includes an online practical health and wellbeing resource and counselling on a 24/7 basis through professionally qualified and accredited counsellors.
The Good Mental Health for All project was established over 2022/23 as a multi-agency approach aiming to develop a refreshed mental health and wellbeing strategy for Shetland.