HELPING people achieve their best possible mental health is at the heart of a new strategy launched by the Scottish Prison Service.

It aims to support those in custody towards happier and healthier lives, benefitting them, their families, and the communities around them.

The Scottish Prison Service’s new Mental Health Strategy is an overarching approach, which sets out clear aims and ambitions for more than 8,000 people currently in its care.

Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive, writes in the strategy foreword: “As Chief Executive, I have seen the significant impact that mental health issues have on those in our care.

“It’s vital that we foster a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

“We know that many people coming into our care are already vulnerable and often have complex mental health needs.

“So, it is even more crucial for us, as an organisation, and our establishments, to take a whole person approach, considering every aspect of their daily lives, ensuring they are equipped with the capabilities, skills, and support to improve their resilience and get back to their best mental health.”

The strategy sets out an approach which will see SPS “create an environment where people feel valued and cared for, comfortable to seek help and access support, and which minimises the damaging effects of mental health stigma and discrimination”.

It makes clear SPS will work with individuals in custody to address their needs and prepare them for a more positive future, giving them the best chance of success when they return to their communities.

The strategy reflects the changing population in custody in Scotland and their needs.

It recognises the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, and also the impact of an ageing population, and the cognitive deterioration, dementia, physical frailty, and other challenges that come with that.

And it makes clear that good mental health for those in SPS care can only be achieved through working with partners, particularly NHS colleagues, and crucially, with the individuals themselves and their families.

The strategy also identifies key moments of vulnerability, such as when individuals are on remand and the point of liberation.

SPS will now develop a Delivery Plan and Implementation Guide, setting out how these ambitions will be achieved, which will be published in due course.