A new 拢15 million fund has been launched in Scotland to tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and the mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund aims to support adult community-based initiatives across Scotland.

Grass roots community groups and organisations will be able to benefit from the funds to deliver activities and programmes to people to re-connect and revitalise communities and build on examples of good practice which have emerged throughout the pandemic.

Inequalities

Jeremy Bacon, our Third Sector Lead, said: 鈥淭his is a welcome announcement from the Scottish government that recognises the importance of third sector community organisations in addressing inequalities and barriers that people face in accessing psychological support.

鈥淢ore than a year on from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we鈥檝e seen inequalities in all nations of the UK highlighted as never before.

鈥�Evidence has emerged on the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black and Minority Ethnic communities, people with disabilities, older people, people from the LGBTQ+ community and for people from other marginalised community backgrounds.

鈥�Long-standing and enduring inequalities in health have been brought out of the shadows by the pandemic.

鈥淭here is an urgent need to fund services that have reach into communities, including those delivered by trained and qualified counselling professionals.

鈥�In our own work engaging with third sector organisations, we鈥檝e heard how lack of funding limits the reach of life-changing therapy.

Recovery

鈥淭his, and future funding, is essential in supporting Scotland to recover from the impact of the pandemic and to begin to tackle deep-rooted health inequalities.鈥�

Launching the fund, Kevin Stewart, Scotland鈥檚 mental wellbeing minister, said: 鈥淭his funding reflects the importance we place on promoting good mental health and early intervention for those in distress and will help develop a culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities.

鈥淚t鈥檚 vital now, more than ever as we start to reopen society, that we support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. I鈥檓 very keen that this benefits communities across all of Scotland."