People in Wales who need support with their mental health will have access to same-day services as part of a new plan by the Welsh government.
Its 10-year mental health and wellbeing strategy, launched on Wednesday, is centred around early intervention and prevention.
The Welsh government said that the shift to receiving same-day support without the need for a referral had already begun.
The Wales-wide NHS 111 service allows patients to press 2 for urgent mental health care.
The new strategy – which the government says has been shaped by the people it is designed to support – will see patients referred for more intensive support only when, and if, it is needed.
The latest data from the Welsh government shows there were 5,960 referrals made for a local primary mental health support service assessment in December.
Sarah Murphy, the Welsh government’s minister for mental health and wellbeing, said the strategy was a “major shift” in Wales‘s approach.
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“We know that good mental health depends on much more than healthcare alone,” Ms Murphy said.
“That’s why we’re working to address all the factors that affect wellbeing – from housing and employment to tackling loneliness and building stronger communities.”
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Simon Jones, head of policy and campaigns at Mind Cymru, said it was a “vital step forward” at a time when “more people than ever need help”.
Mr Jones added that while the charity was pleased with the “direction of travel”, he called for “clear and consistent leadership to deliver on these commitments with urgency and long-term funding”.
“This is a moment of opportunity. If this strategy lives up to its potential, it could make substantial improvements to people’s mental health in Wales,” he added.
