The UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life

The links below provide a brief overview of some of the key organisations and policies on older people’s mental health in the four nations.

For information about how older people can maintain good mental health and about the mental health problems more commonly associated with later life, see MIND's

For more information about mental health problems, see our

> Policy

A sure start to later life: ending inequalities for older people, Social Exclusion Unit, 2006

Examines how to tackle exclusion in later life by extending the Sure Start approach to older people sets.

Mental health and social exclusion, Social Exclusion Unit, 2004

Explores what can be done to improve the lives and experiences of adults with mental health problems and sets out the Government's programme of action.

Opportunity Age – Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century, Department for Work and Pensions, 2005.

The Government's strategy for an ageing society. The strategy aims to end the perception of older people as dependent; ensure that longer life is healthy and fulfilling; and that older people are full participants in society.

> Older People

Better Government for Older People

A thriving movement of organisations working in partnership to change attitudes and services in order to achieve an improved society for older people across the UK.

Carers UK

The voice of carers. Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. Carers give so much to society yet as a consequence of caring, they experience ill health, poverty and discrimination. Carers UK is an organisation of carers fighting to end this injustice. We will not stop until people recognise the true value of carers’ contribution to society and carers get the practical, financial and emotional support they need.

Help the Aged

An international charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. It campaigns for change in government policy, undertakes research into the needs of older people and provides local services in communities across the UK and overseas.

Older People’s Programme – Moving Out of the Shadows (MOOTS)

Co-chaired by Help and Care and Better Government for Older People, MOOTS was established in 2003 to promote and support better mental health and wellbeing in later life.

Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK.

> Mental Health

Alzheimer’s Society

The UK’s leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers.

Depression Alliance

The leading UK charity for people affected by depression.

Mental Health Foundation

A UK wide charity for people’s mental health.

SANE

One of the UK's leading charities concerned with improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.

> Policy

Everybody’s Business. Integrated mental health services for older adults: a service development guide, Care Services Improvement Partnership, 2005.

A guide to assist the development of joined up, coordinated services that focus on older people's mental health problems, not their age.

National service framework for mental health: modern standards and service models, Department of Health, 1999.

A framework for tackling mental health problems in adults of working age. Sets out detailed directions and goals for improved mental health services all over England.

National service framework for older people, Department of Health, 2004.

It sets new national standards and service models of care across health and social services for all older people.

> Older People

Age Concern England

The UK's largest charity working with and for older people.

Centre for Policy on Ageing

Aims to inform and influence service providers by discovering and advocating what older people themselves want and need.

Help and Care

An independent, people-led organisation that works with older people, carers and local communities.

Relatives and Residents Association

Exists for older people needing, or living in, residential care and the families and friends left behind.

Well-being and Choice

Exists to promote holistic approaches to services for older people.

> Mental Health

Mind

We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress in England and Wales.

National Institute for Mental Health England

Responsible for supporting the implementation of positive change in mental health and mental health services. Part of the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP).

Rethink

Leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

Work to improve the quality of life for people with mental health problems by influencing policy and practice in mental health services.

Together Working for Well-being

A leading national charity working for wellbeing by supporting people with mental health needs to get what they want from life and to feel happier. Formerly called the Mental After Care Association.

Reducing Depression Amoung Older People Recieving Care.

Research/intervention project that can be used throughout residential care and home care services for older people.

> Policy

A Strategic framework for adult mental health services, The Review Of Mental Health And Learning Disability (Northern  Ireland), 2005.

A blue print for reform and modernisination of adult mental health services in Northern Ireland.

Ageing in an Inclusive Society, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, 2005.

A strategy to promote the Social Inclusion of Older People in Northern Ireland.

Living Fuller Lives draft consultation report, Dementia and the mental health of older people expert working committee, The Review Of Mental Health And Learning Disability (Northern  Ireland), 2006.

Draft vision of what mainstream and specialist health and social care services for older people with dementia and functional mental illnesses should look like and how they should work together to ensure that service users and carers have their needs met irrespective of where they are in the system, without encountering discrimination or barriers to access. Final report due in early 2007.

Mental Health Services for Older People, Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety, 2006.

Examines and makes recommendations for: Service provision; Early identification, information and support; Co-ordination of services; and Strategic planning.

Promoting Mental Health: Strategy and Action Plan 2003-2008, Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety, 2003.

Outlines an integrated approach, which addresses the wider determinants of mental health and focuses particularly on inequalities.

> Older People

Age Concern Northern Ireland

A voluntary organisation committed, though campaigning and service provision,
to improving the quality of life of all older people and promoting their rights as active, involved and equal citizens.

Older People Policy Forum

The Forum meets on average four times a year and its aim is 'To enhance the capacity of organisation’s within and beyond the older people’s sector to make policy responses, coordinate policy information, participate in policy development, and influence decision making.

> Mental Health

Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health

Provides local support for those with mental health needs in locations across Northern Ireland. A wide range of services are offered include housing schemes, home support, advocacy services, information services, public education and research.

Rethink Northern Ireland

Provides numerous mental health services to the people of Northern Ireland.

> Policy

Age and Experience: Consultation on the Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population, Scottish Executive, 2006.

Consultation in preparation for the release of the Strategy for an Ageing Population in early 2007.

Delivering for Mental Health, NHS Scotland, 2006.

Set 14 commitments and 3 key targets for the development of mental health services in Scotland.  Targets relate to reducing suicide, readmission rates to hospital units and rates of anti-depressant prescribing.

National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being

The National Programme shapes, funds and supports a series of key initiatives and support partnerships that are focused on different aspects of improving Scotland's Mental Health.

National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being Action Plan 2003-2006, Scottish Executive, 2003.

This action plan sets out the main aims and areas of activity for national work to improve health in Scotland and achieve greater social justice by working to address mental health inequalities and reduce the opportunity gap experienced by people with mental health problems.

> Older People

Age Concern Scotland

An independent, recognised charity working throughout Scotland to help make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable, dignified and enjoyable.

Centre for the Older Persons Agenda

The Centre aims to improve the quality of life of older people and their carers through multidisciplinary programmes of linked research education and practice development.

> Mental Health

National Schizophrenia Fellowship Scotland

Wworks to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of those affected by schizophrenia and other mental illness, including families and carers.

Penumbra

One of Scotland’s leading mental health organisations, providing a wide range of support services for adults and young people.

Scottish Association for Mental Health

Scotland's leading mental health charity. Aims is to raise the aspirations and expectations of people who use mental health services, people who deliver these services and society as a whole.

Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health

The Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health aims to improve mental health and well being for individuals and communities in Scotland and enhance services and supports for people with mental health problems.

Scottish Recovery Network

The Scottish Recovery Network aims to engage communities across Scotland in debate on how best to promote and support recovery from long-term mental health problems.

See Me Scotland

The 'see me' campaign was launched in October 2002 to challenge stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health in Scotland. The campaign combines an award-winning national publicity programme with local and national anti-stigma action developed in partnership with like-minded groups and individuals across all sectors of Scottish life.

> Policy

Developing Mental Health Services for Older People in Wales, Audit Commission, 2005.

A review of progress in the development of mental health services for older people in Wales during the two years since the publication of Losing Time – Developing Mental Health Services for Older People in Wales.

Mental Health Promotion Action Plan for Wales: Consultation Document, Welsh Assembly Government, 2006.

Provides a national focus on mental health improvement. It recognises the wide ranging positive action already underway at Assembly Government level, identifying what more needs to be done, and at the same time providing a stimulus for local action.

National Service Framework for Older People in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, 2006.

National standards to improve health and social care services and equity of access for older people across Wales.

'Raising the Standard' The Revised National Service Framework for Adult Mental Health Services in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, 2005.

Sets out the service standards for Wales with the aim of driving up quality and reducing unacceptable variations in health and social services provision.

Strategy for Older People in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, 2003.

Sets out a comprehensive 10 year framework to address the implications of an Ageing Society.

> Older People

Age Concern Cymru

A registered charity whose mission is to improve life for all older people in Wales

> Mental Health

Hafal

Wales’ leading charity for people with severe mental illness and their carers.

Mind Cymru

Work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress in England and Wales.