{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

---

Promoting Mental Wellbeing and Health (Scotland) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy shows how a care service (care home or care at home) can promote the mental wellbeing of the people using its service and acts when it recognises that their mental health is suffering. It is written to reflect the evidence that people with mental health issues:

• often find it difficult to discuss how they are really feeling, when mentally unwell
• worry about being stigmatised if they admit to having a problem with their mental health
• find it difficult to obtain the care and support they need for their mental ill health.

The policy is written in line with the National Health and Care Standards My Support, My Life, particularly:

• “1.29 I am supported to be emotionally resilient, have a strong sense of my own identity and wellbeing, and address any experiences of trauma or neglect.”
• “2.26 I know how different organisations can support my health and wellbeing and I am helped to contact them if I wish.”

The service recognises that failure to meet any of the standards reflected in these regulations are likely to have adverse effects on people’s mental health. Success in helping people using the service to achieve the outcomes they seek will enhance their wellbeing.

The service also recognises that mental wellbeing should be thoroughly assessed as an integral part of any comprehensive assessment of needs, which it is required to carry out, to provide suitable and responsive care and support.

By assessing a person’s mental wellbeing with their full participation {{org_field_name}} can then include in its care and support plans strategies to help them think more positively about themselves, think more clearly, become more independent and more in control of their lives.

{{org_field_name}} recognises that usually good physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Physical ill health can affect mental health and mental wellbeing will affect physical health.

Approach

The service promotes the mental wellbeing and addresses the mental health needs of the people using its services in person-centred ways, seeking and obtaining the facilities and resources and professional help for individuals as they need them.

It develops its approach with reference to NHS (Scotland) and Mental Welfare Commission guidance and quality standards for maintaining and improving mental wellbeing.

It will adopt one or more of the following methods as applicable to the service situation and needs of the people using the service.

It will adopt one or more of the following methods as applicable to the service situation and needs of the people using the service.

• Provide, enable or recommend opportunities for taking part in meaningful activities that could improve their health and mental wellbeing; including individual and group activities, opportunities to follow personal interests and to socialise, etc.
• Help to maintain and develop personal identity with the appropriate facilities and resources particularly where there is the risk of loss of personality because of dementia or physical impairments from strokes or illnesses. Examples include enabling: personal life reviews, taking part in reminiscence and recall activities, discussion on topics of interest, encouraging creative and artistic interests and carrying out familiar tasks and routines valued by the person.
• Give special attention through the offering of appropriate support and risk assessments when people have recently suffered significant life changes which are likely to have adverse effects on their mental health and wellbeing such as:
  • admission to a care home or hospital
  • separation
  • loss and bereavement
  • personal and family stress
  • inactivity through illness, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic
  • loss of employment and of valued activities and interests
  • financial difficulties and worries.
• Ensure that staff can recognise, record and report the symptoms and signs of mental health conditions and changes in mental wellbeing so that suitable help and support can be sought and obtained, for example, from medical practitioners and local mental health services.
• Have access to trained professionals to assess mental health needs, and where necessary to diagnose any mental illness or disorders, which might require statutory intervention.
• Ensure that the mental wellbeing of people using the service who have sensory impairments, and those with physical illnesses and long term conditions, including those recovering from strokes and similar trauma, is thoroughly assessed and responded to in the knowledge that these impairments can have adverse effects on mental health and wellbeing.
• Ensure that people using the service, who might be vulnerable to experiencing inequality of care and treatment, always have access to the full range of healthcare services when they need them, including mental health services.

Training

The service includes mental health issues as appropriate in its staff induction programmes.

Continuing staff development aims (as applicable) to:

• improve people’s knowledge of mental health as a social issue
• increase awareness of the mental health issues experienced by people using the service
• improve understanding of the factors that affect people’s mental health, including bereavement and loss, social isolation, etc
• develop skills in observing and identifying changes in the mental health of people using the service
• help staff to understand more fully their role and contribution to promoting and improving the mental health of people using the service
• help staff understand the roles of community and hospital mental health services, including the mental health legislation.

---

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

Copyright ©2024 {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved