Mental health - guidance
Guidance sections provide a space for resources that help convert principles or policy into action. The resources are grouped by country, then listed alphabetically by author/issuing body and then by date.
You might also like to refer to the policy and agencies and communities sections for further information on people with mental health problems.
Some of the resources below are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
England
Care Services Improvement Partnership, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Social Care Institute for Excellence (2007) A Common Purpose: Recovery in future mental health services
This position paper is set in the context of current government policy for England and Wales, with reference to developments in other UK nations and international examples of research and practice. It states that people do not recover in isolation and that recovery is closely associated with social inclusion.
Centre for Mental Health (SCMH) (2010) Looking ahead. The next 25 years in mental health
This paper includes contributions from 18 leaders in the mental health field in 2010. Each sets out their vision and aims for the next 25 years and how we might get there.
Centre for Mental Health (SCMH) (2008) Making recovery a reality
"Recovery is closely associated with social inclusion and being able to take on meaningful and satisfying social roles within local communities, rather than in segregated services". This policy paper presents some of the key ideas and examines their implications for the delivery of mental health services.
Department of Health: Working for mental health: A guide for mental health professionals
This website contains a range of information to help mental health practitioners and commissioners to provide timely and evidenced based vocational interventions for people with mental health conditions.
Department of Health (2010) Confident communities, brighter futures: a framework for developing wellbeing
Sets out the argument and evidence base for prioritising wellbeing, and provides a systematic approach to improving mental wellbeing. It includes a section on social inclusion, stigma and discrimination.
Department of Health (2007) Capabilities for inclusive practice
Socially inclusive good practice guidance for the specialist mental health worker and others working with the mental health user population.
Department of Health (2007) Mental health policy implementation guide: a learning and development toolkit for the whole of the mental health workforce across both health and social care
This toolkit sets out the current learning and development issues for mental health; the priorities local health and social care organisations may wish to consider in developing their own learning and development strategies; and the future learning and development issues coming round the corner.
Department of Health (2007) Best practice in managing risk: principles and guidance for best practice in the assessment and management of risk to self and others in mental health services
This framework is a guide for mental health professionals working with service users to assess risk. Social inclusion should be one of the goals of any risk management plan, and strategies to support the service user in achieving this should be identified.
Department of Health (2006) From segregation to inclusion: commissioning guidance on day services for people with mental health problems
Guidance designed to assist commissioners of mental health services in the refocusing of day services for working-age adults with mental health problems into community resources that promote social inclusion and promote the role of work and gaining skills in line with current policy and legislation.
Department of Health (2006) Action on stigma: promoting mental health, ending discrimination at work
Best practice guidance which provides a set of principles for employers to meet to promote mental wellbeing and end discrimination in the workplace; and sets out a listening exercise to develop a step by step process of support, advice and information via regional support teams.
Department of Health (2006) From values to action: The Chief Nursing Officer's review of mental health nursing
This sets out recommendations for guiding the development of mental health nursing, with the core aim of improving the outcomes and experience of care for service users and carers. It includes a section on increasing social inclusion.
Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project (2006-2008) Mental capital and wellbeing
The aim of the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing has been to advise the Government on how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for everyone in the UK in the future. The project was launched in October 2008 and several reports are available.
Healthcare Commission (2007) No voice, no choice: a joint review of adult community mental health services in England (PDF 727.4KB)
This report aims to inform the public and professionals working in the sector about the state of specialist community mental health services in England, and to provide a set of recommendations to promote improvement, including a section on recovery and social inclusion.
Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) (2005) Mental health and social inclusion
This report examines the links between poor mental health and social exclusion.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Mental health and behavioural conditions
Clinical guidelines which have been published or are in development from NICE, in this topic area.
Social Exclusion Unit (2004) Mental health and social exclusion. A social exclusion unit report (PDF 1.11MB)
This report sets out a 27-point action plan to bring together the work of government departments and other organisations in a concerted effort to challenge attitudes, enable people to fulfil their aspirations, and significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for this excluded group.
Social Exclusion Unit (2004) Action on mental health. A guide to promoting social inclusion (PDF 1.56MB)
This guide offers practical tips to improve opportunities and outcomes for people.
West London Mental Health Trust (2007) Cultural Competency Toolkit. Good practice in mental ethnic minority mental healthcare (PDF 1.6MB)
A cultural competency toolkit to assist practitioners in their day to day engagement with service users. It provides a resource pack for clinicians who care for people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Northern Ireland
Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland) (2007) Promoting the social inclusion of people with a mental health problem or a learning disability
The purpose of this report was to identify the reasons why people with mental health problems or a learning disability are often excluded from activities that others take for granted. It makes recommendations to improve their inclusion in society.
Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland) (2005) A Strategic Framework for Adult Mental Health Services
This first report from the Bamford Review set out a vision for adult mental health services for the next 15 to 20 years.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (2008) Government's Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy for Northern Ireland (PDF 986KB)
As part of Government's commitment to tackling poverty and social exclusion the Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy for Northern Ireland was produced by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) in conjunction with all of the other Northern Ireland Government Departments.
Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Safety, Quality and Standards. Service Frameworks - Mental Health
The DHSSPS webpage on mental health.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) (2003) Promoting Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan 2003-2008 (PDF 158KB)
This action plan outlined an integrated approach which addressed the wider determinants of mental health and focused particularly on inequalities. The strategy includes 30 action points under four key areas: policy development; raising awareness and reducing discrimination; improving knowledge and skills; and preventing suicide.
Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (2009) A Flourishing Society. Aspirations for Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland
This report was commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, to act as a blueprint for the future development of mental health promotion and prevention in Northern Ireland. The Full Report and an Executive Summary are available for download.
Scotland
NHS Education for Scotland: Mental health and learning disabilities
The NHS Education for Scotland initiative for mental health and learning disabilities.
NHS Education for Scotland (2007) Realising Recovery: a national framework for learning and training in recovery focused practice
This framework was developed as one of the actions identified in Rights, Relationships and Recovery: the report of the national review of mental health nursing in Scotland. The framework outlines the knowledge, skills and values mental health nurses require to work in a recovery focused way with people who use mental health services and their friends, family and carers.
Research and evaluation
This section of the WellScotland website has links to completed research reports, evaluation papers and key publications related to the WellScotland National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Scottish Government: Rights Relationships Recovery
The aim of Rights, Relationships and Recovery is to enhance and develop mental health nursing in Scotland and produce continual improvements in the experiences and outcomes of care of service users, their families and carers.
Scottish Government (2010) With inclusion in mind: An easy read guide
An easy read guide of the Scottish Government publication 'With Inclusion in Mind: The local authority's role in promoting wellbeing and social development'.
Scottish Government (2009) Evaluation of 'see me' - the national Scottish campaign against the stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill-health
An evaluation of the operation of 'See Me', the national campaign against stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health, conducted by a consortium led by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health.
Scottish Government (2008) Mental Health in Scotland: improving the physical health and wellbeing of those experiencing mental illness
This guidance focuses on the need for all agencies to work together, in collaboration with services users, families and carers to improve the physical health of people experiencing mental illness.
Scottish Government (2008) National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing: Small Research Projects Initiative 2007-08: Understanding Stigma: Young People's Experiences of Mental Health Stigma
The study explored young people's experiences of stigma from mental health difficulties and their views concerning potential strategies for support.
Scottish Government (2008) National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being: Small Research Projects Initiative 2006: An Investigation of the Role of School Nurses in Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
The study explored how school nurse managers across Scotland view their role in promoting and supporting the mental health of young people.
Scottish Executive (2007) Delivering for mental health. The implementation process (PDF 486.3KB)
This sets out the implementation arrangements which detail the planned process at operational and strategic levels.
Scottish Executive (2007) Mental health in Scotland: closing the gaps - making a difference: commitment 13
This report builds on the principles and recommendations of the previously published 'Mind the Gaps' and 'A Fuller Life' reports and is designed to move this joint agenda forward and support joined-up local delivery to improve the awareness, support and service provision for people who have both mental health and substance misuse problems.
Scottish Executive (2007) Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland: the future of mental health improvement in Scotland 2008-11
This paper outlines the proposed future direction for mental health improvement and population mental health for 2008-11. It builds on the work of the Scottish Government's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Scottish Executive (2006) Delivering for Health: delivering for mental health national standards for crisis services
These standards set minimum expectations on the type of interventions and processes to deal effectively and quickly with mental health crisis. They are designed for use as a planning and audit tool for the development of new services and the auditing of existing services.
Scottish Executive (2005) National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing: addressing mental health inequalities in Scotland - equal minds
Equal minds identifies key issues and challenges in understanding and addressing discrimination and inequality in mental health.
Scottish Recovery Indicator (SRI2)
The revised and enhanced Scottish Recovery Indicator (SRI) builds on the success of the original SRI introduced in 2007 which has been used by a range of services across Scotland. SRI 2 enables mental health practitioners in Scotland to provide more recovery focused services.
Wales
Audit Commission Wales (2004) Developing mental health services for older people in Wales (PDF 395.2KB)
This report provides a review of progress in the development of mental health services for older people in Wales during the two years since the publication of Losing Time. It examines each of the areas considered in the original report and based on recent work carried out draws conclusions about the extent to which services have moved forward.
National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (2006) Action in Mental Health Wales (PDF 641.5KB)
An improvement guide which makes service improvement tools accessible and meaningful to all those involved in the management and delivery of adult mental health services.
National Public Health Service for Wales (2005) Health evidence bulletins Wales - mental health
A bulletin of research evidence to support the implementation of "Raising the Standard. The Revised Adult Mental Health National Service Framework and an Action Plan for Wales". It includes a chapter on social inclusion.
Wales Audit Office (2005) Adult Mental Health Services in Wales: a baseline review of service provision (PDF 2.2.7MB)
This report highlights problems with the way services were currently planned, organised and monitored. It points to several examples of good practice, but overall it found significant gaps in the way mental health services were delivered.
Welsh Government: Mental health promotion
The Welsh Assembly's mental health promotion webpage.
Welsh Assembly Government (2009) Improving the health and wellbeing of homeless and specific vulnerable groups - Standards 2009-2014
The Welsh Assembly Government aims to ensure that there is an equal level of access to health services for all people. These standards aim to improve the health and wellbeing of homeless and specific vulnerable groups.
Welsh Assembly Government (2008) Adult Mental Health Services Stronger in Partnership 2
This document is a guide to involving service users and carers in the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services in Wales. It updates and strengthens the original Stronger in Partnership document published in 2004.
Welsh Assembly Government (2003) Mental Health Policy Guidance - the care programme approach for mental health service users
As part of its commitment to a modern, decent and inclusive society, the Welsh Assembly Government set out plans for the NHS and its partners, requiring these agencies to work to provide integrated services which will improve the quality of life for everyone.
UK and worldwide
National Social Inclusion Programme (2009) Outcomes framework for mental health services (PDF 190.9KB)
This framework is focussed on adults of working age with mental health problems. It sets out some suggested outcomes for inclusion as a resource to commissioners and providers looking to advance inclusion practice through locally established outcomes for monitoring and evaluating service effectiveness.
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Social Inclusion Scoping Group (2009) Mental Health and Social Inclusion. Making Psychiatry and Mental Health Services Fit for the 21st Century (PDF 872KB)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists represents psychiatrists in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This position statement examines the nature and extent of social exclusion among people with mental health problems and those with intellectual disabilities and the implications for the organisation, structure and culture of future mental health and intellectual disability services.
World Health Organisation (2009) Mental health, resilience and inequalities (PDF 456.11KB)
This report explores the wealth of evidence that mental health influences a very wide range of outcomes for individuals and communities. It highlights the importance of policies and programmes to support improved mental health for the whole population.