The Welsh Government has published two new quality statements designed to raise the bar for mental health and self-harm services delivered through the NHS and social care system in Wales.
The standards set out clear expectations for what services must provide, ranging from same-day open access support through to trauma-informed care for people who have self-harmed. They underpin commitments made in both the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy.
Wales is aiming to become the first nation to deliver same-day, open access mental health care, and 20 pilot projects have been established across the country to provide support without the need for a GP referral – helping people access help at an earlier stage before reaching crisis point.
Among the “demonstrator sites” is a mental health university liaison service offering early intervention support to students at Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Since its launch in 2022, more than 240,000 people have contacted the 111 press 2 service for urgent mental health support.
The Mental Health Quality Statement outlines nine core components for redesigning services around open access care. These include programmes co-designed with people who bring diverse perspectives, trauma-informed approaches embedded at every level of care, and flexible, person-centred services shaped by data and collaboration.
The Self-harm Quality Statement identifies six pillars of high-quality care – immediate treatment, trauma-informed support, continuity of care, safety planning, holistic signposting and skilled responders. It makes clear that compassionate, person-centred care must be available to anyone who self-harms, regardless of their intent.
Both statements were developed alongside NHS Wales, third sector partners and people with lived experience.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said:
“These standards will ensure people have access to consistent, compassionate and effective mental health support wherever they are in Wales.
“We are moving to a new future of open access services in Wales, so people can receive the help they need at an earlier stage and prevent them reaching crisis point. These standards will help us improve mental healthcare and reach our ambition.”
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