Mary Sparling
Mary Sparling works with the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health as the Lead Officer for HeadsUpScotland.
I was appointed to my post as Lead Officer of the HeadsUpScotland project in June 2007, at a fairly late stage, so my vision was to support partner organisations with further implementation of the Framework for the Promotion, Prevention and Care of Children and Young People (FPPC) which encourages us to work towards mental health and emotional wellbeing being ‘everyone’s business’.
I believe that a great deal of progress has been made so far, and there is a genuine commitment at all levels to mental health improvement. There are still major challenges, however, in relation to equal access, and consistency of approach and support, for our children and young people.
Collectively, we still need to do a great deal more to ensure that vulnerable groups, and the people who have responsibility for their care, receive the support they need. Support for children and young people who are looked after and accommodated should continue to be a priority.
In spite of these obstacles I believe that, in some respects, we are in a better position to progress this broad agenda than ever before. For example, new legislation, changes to the curriculum, and a Scottish Government commitment to providing a link worker between health and education in every school by the end of 2008, will help schools to build on existing good practice and reflect on changes required to further improve the experiences of the children and young people they work with.
I have been most inspired by the energy and commitment of a large number of colleagues in the world of mental health and beyond, who have had the courage and persistence to challenge traditional existing practices, and are working towards more flexible and accessible approaches for children and young people. I have also been impressed by the encouragement that children and young people have been given to contribute in a range of ways, and by the quality of that contribution.
My current role has given me an overview of the changes taking place across Scotland. Personal frustrations are associated with the time it takes to work with diverse systems and cultures to make the positive connections required to have a real impact on the lives of children and young people.
My understanding of ‘a mentally flourishing Scotland’ is one where high priority is given to promotion and prevention from the earliest stages of a child’s life. In addition, when a child or young person is observed as having, or able to articulate, a need for additional support, that the observer or listener can confidently set a process in motion which facilitates access to the support required within a short period of time.
My three most important actions are:
- The confidence of the Scottish Government to continue to prioritise this agenda
- Making most effective use of existing resources and expertise
- Continuing to change minds and cultures – our children’s wellbeing is ‘everybody’s business’
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