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Summary of the Mental Health Discussions

CTM Community Leaders' Network (CLN) - Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop

24th October 2025: Garth Olwg Community Campus

Context: Good mental health and wellbeing are essential for helping people live healthier and happier lives, building stronger relationships and for creating thriving communities.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025 to 2035 for Wales was published earlier this year. It outlines an ambitious vision for Wales where people will “live in a country which promotes, supports and empowers them to improve their mental health and wellbeing, and will be free from stigma and discrimination.” It has a strong focus on prevention, reducing inequalities and providing early support.

Effective implementation of this strategy requires a Whole System Approach with all key partners, stakeholders and sectors working together to realise its potential.

As CTM moves forwards with local implementation of the strategy, the voice, knowledge and expertise of the third sector is of vital importance. Insight, experience, and community connections are key to ensuring the strategy meets the actual needs of our communities - in a way that is inclusive, practical, and rooted in partnership.

To help initiate conversations for an effective roll out of the strategy, a workshop was held at the CLN meeting on 24th October bringing together Community Leaders from across the region, alongside Health Board, Public Health Wales, NHS Performance and Improvement and Local Authority colleagues to explore:

  • What the new national strategy means for our communities;
  • How we can work together to deliver it effectively on a regional and local level; and
  • The critical role of partnership in building a system that supports mental health and wellbeing for all.

The workshop was well attended with good representation from across sectors especially our Community Leaders.

A series of presentations were delivered as per the agenda, followed by tabletop discussions. Findings from the event have been summarised as below:

National Context:

Sarah Cadman NHS Performance and Improvement: Introduced the newly released National MH&WB strategy aimed at across the whole mental health system and age range. The introduction of a refreshed strategy is timely and reflects the changing nature of mental health needs, enhanced awareness of mental health amongst the public and increased demand for mental health support and services. However, many challenges continue to present at a local level due to a lack of monetary support attached to the new strategy, the poor state of mental health across our communities with demand often outstripping supply.

There is need for a seamless, person centred approach to ensure members of the public receive the right mental health care and support at the first time.

A plethora of evidence of what works in regard to supporting MH&WB has been reviewed and the Canadian Stepped Care 2.0 model of open same day access has been proven to be an effective model and health boards across Wales tasked with implementation.

Amy Davies Public Health Wales: presented on the importance of mental wellbeing and community connectedness. Delegates were informed of the newly developed Hapus initiative by Public Health Wales focused on promoting mental wellbeing across Wales. It serves as a hub for resources, ideas, and activities that can help individuals improve their mental health. The platform encourages people to engage in activities that boost mental wellbeing, such as spending time with family and friends, connecting with nature, and pursuing hobbies. Hapus also fosters a National Conversation on Mental Wellbeing, inviting people to share their experiences and tips on what works for them. This collective sharing aims to inspire others and create a supportive community focused on mental health. It also offers the opportunity for partners to join the Hapus Supporters Network.

Discussion:

  • Delegates expressed the importance of understanding the true mental health needs across our communities to help inform how CTM implements a stepped care model locally.
  • There is a need to understand the interface between community and third sector support with clinical services.
  • Delegates questioned when any change as a result of the new strategy could be expected. This will require all sectors and partners working together to ensure a Whole System Approach in implementing the strategy locally.
  • A test and change process in implementing an open access model of care is to be rolled out across health boards. Expression of interests (EoI) are currently being submitted. Readiness assessments are also in the process of being conducted via health boards.
  • Clare Williams (Service Director for MH&LD) informed that CTM has not submitted an EoI yet. In order to implement the strategy effectively and develop an open access model of care, a shift in culture and conversations between sectors will be required to effectively co-produce seamless MH services.
  • Mental health and well-being services require the same amount of attention and focus as that provided for physical health care.

Local Case studies: A series of local case studies in which open access is currently being delivered were presented:

Kieran Harris: Chief Executive CTM Mind: CTM MIND will be offering single session therapy open access support across various venues across CTM. 3 years of funding to pilot this initiative has been secured. Pathways to direct people into various services will be required. The service supports ages 11yrs +.

Janet Whiteman: Director New Horizons Mental Health: Updated delegates on the important role of the community college in supporting adults via the provision of recovery courses across CTM.

Rob Madden: Substance Misuse Nurse Team Leader, Community Drug and Alcohol Team (CDAT): Updated delegates on the provision of walk in clinics for members of the public experiencing problem drug or alcohol use. Approximately 70% of walk in patients have a mental health need.

Discussion:

  • There is a need to scope current service provision for open access care across the 3rd sector and to consider how these services are promoted within the community.
  • These case studies were recognised as an excellent example of some of the work currently happening to support open access however there is need to ensure more connectivity across the system.

Table discussion: Delegates were tasked to discuss in small groups the following key discussion points:

  • Does your current service support the mental wellbeing agenda?
  • How does your current service support people with mental health conditions?
  • Where are the gaps in connection between services and communities and how can we address these?
  • What action will you take from today?

Emerging themes identified:

1. Contribution to Mental Wellbeing

  • Community-Centred Approach: many services work closely with diverse communities to promote mental wellbeing through culturally appropriate engagement. Many partners have daily and direct access to community members in need of mental wellbeing support.
  • Preventative Approach: Emphasis is placed on early intervention, mental health literacy, signposting, reducing stigma and tackling wider socio-economic determinants of health to help prevent escalation of mental health issues.
  • Empowerment and Education: Training is provided to community leaders, volunteers and communities on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care.
  • Support for Vulnerable Populations: Support is provided to inclusion groups such as people seeking asylum or refuge, those with learning disabilities and socially isolated individuals for example, offering tailored support and signposting.

2. Support for People with Mental Health Conditions

  • Navigation and Advocacy: Many services support individuals to understand and access appropriate mental health services, acting as a bridge between communities and the formal healthcare system.
  • Immediate Support: Many organisations provide real-time emotional and practical support, reducing reliance on emergency services.
  • Collaborative Care: Forging partnerships with NHS and local support services to enable coordinated seamless care and smoother transitions between services.

3. Gaps in Mental Health Service Connectivity

  • Fragmentation: Existing services are often disconnected, leading to delays and confusion for service users. There is need for stronger collaboration between agencies.
  • Cultural and Linguistic Barriers: Mainstream services may not fully meet the needs of diverse populations.
  • Access Challenges: Long waiting times, lack of out of hours support and lack of awareness can hinder timely support.
  • Funding: Many third sector support projects/services are short term funded. Services require longer term secure funding. There is potential to explore a different approach to commissioning focused on collaborative working to achieve agreed outcomes, e.g. Alliance Commissioning.

4. Contribution to Seamless Same-Day Services

  • Integrated Working: Strong collaboration with statutory and voluntary sectors helps reduce duplication and improve service navigation.
  • Trusted Relationships: Community presence and trust enables quicker identification of needs and faster response times.

Next Steps:

  • As per Regional Partnership endorsement, CTM to convene a Mental Health and Wellbeing strategic group to oversee local implementation of the newly released Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2035 and delivery plan as well as the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy for Wales, delivery plan and outcomes framework.
  • Insight gained from this workshop will be utilised to help inform a partnership approach in establishing an open access model of care for CTM.
  • Further opportunities for collaboration will be shared via CLN updates/newsletters.