Health

Welsh Government unveils ten-year mental health and suicide strategies

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2024

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has unveiled new ten-year mental health and suicide prevention strategies amid concerns about stubbornly high numbers of people taking their own lives.

Lynne Neagle launched 16-week consultations on the draft mental health and suicide and self-harm prevention strategies on February 20.

The deputy minister for mental health said the consultation documents have a clear focus on tackling inequalities in terms of access and outcomes.

She told the Senedd the strategies are separate but interconnected, recognising that suicide and self-harm are not diagnosable mental health conditions.

She said: “There is a prevailing misconception that people who die by suicide have a mental illness, and it is vital that we challenge this perception to remove the stigma.”

‘Overwhelmed’

Ms Neagle said a key theme is not to medicalise mental health: “We want to see a shift in how we talk about and support mental health issues to better reflect the needs of individuals.

“The majority of people who we might define as having a mental health issue do need support, but don’t need specialised mental health services.

“For those that need specialised mental health services, we have also been clear about how we intend to strengthen these further.”

Warning of unprecedented financial pressures, she told MSs the strategies will ensure value-based targeting of resources rather than set out a list of new funding commitments.

She said: “All available modelling suggests mental health demands will continue to increase.

“Without continued cross-government and multi-agency support, as set out in these strategies, the NHS is likely to become overwhelmed.”

‘Vital’

James Evans urged the Welsh Government to engage with as many people as possible, particularly young and middle-aged men who are more likely to take their own lives.

The Conservatives’ shadow minister also raised the importance of getting buy-in from health boards, given the challenging financial climate.

Mr Evans, who is currently steering the mental health standards of care bill through the Senedd, said: “Reducing the rates of suicide and self-harm in our society is vital.

“Suicide and self-harm, especially suicide, leaves far too many families and people and loved ones across Wales with a hole that can never be filled.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow minister, raised concerns about the planned reprioritisation of £15m from the mental health budget.

‘Damning indictment’

He said: “It is a tragedy and a damning indictment of how our society is failing the most vulnerable that suicide is the main cause of death for men under the age of 50.

“My own family and too many others here continue to grieve and suffer … suicide rates for both men and women remain high and well above the average for England and Wales.”

Calling for a focus on prenatal mental health, Mr Gwynfor said as many as one in four women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after birth.

He told the chamber: “The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are instrumental in shaping their lifelong well-being….

“If we are to develop a truly holistic and preventative mental health strategy, it must be effective at the very start of life.”

‘Personal battles’

Jack Sargeant – who recently shared his own experience with mental health following the loss of his father, Carl, and best friend of 20 years, Jamie – welcomed the draft strategies.

He said: “I shared that experience and the experience of my own personal battles with mental health because I want to help others. I genuinely want to help others. I don’t want another family to go through what mine and Jamie’s had to.”

The Alyn and Deeside MS applauded the example set by Connah’s Quay Town Football Club, which encourages players and fans to seek support.

Jayne Bryant, a fellow Labour backbencher, who chairs the Senedd’s cross-party group on suicide prevention, raised social determinants of poor mental health.

The Newport West MS warned that poverty and inequality remain key risk factors.

‘What if?’

Huw Irranca-Davies spoke of losing a childhood friend to suicide.

The Labour MS for Ogmore said: “One of our tight little group took his own life, out of the blue – the most vivacious, the most outgoing, the most extroverted, the most talented of all of us, and I often stop and think, ‘What if?’”

Stressing that mental health remains a priority, Ms Neagle told MSs that the funding ring fenced for frontline services has increased by £25m.

“We are committed to reducing the number of people who die by suicide,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned, one person dying by suicide is one too many.

“The rates have been largely stable over the last few years, but we want to drive those rates down much further, and that’s what this new strategy is about.”

Charity

Free London Marathon spaces offered by NHS charity

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Hywel Dda Health Charities is delighted to announce that it has secured three free charity places for supporters wishing to take part in the TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026 – the virtual version of the world‑famous marathon.

Taking place on Sunday, April 26, the TCS London Marathon MyWay gives participants the freedom to complete the iconic 26.2‑mile distance from any location. Whether running, jogging or walking, entrants have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to finish the challenge. The event must be completed outdoors, but participants can choose any route that suits them.

The virtual marathon is the perfect option for anyone who has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon but would prefer a more flexible timeframe, the chance to complete the distance at their own pace and the ability to take part without travelling to London.

Participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt and medal (optional), a free trial with Coopah, the official training app of the TCS London Marathon and access to the official event tracking app.

In return for one of the limited free places, Hywel Dda Health Charities asks supporters to raise a minimum of £300 in aid of a Hywel Dda service of their choice.

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’re so excited to offer these special MyWay places to our supporters. The virtual marathon is a fantastic opportunity for people of all abilities to take on an iconic challenge in a way that works best for them.

“Every pound raised will make a meaningful difference to patients and staff across our local NHS services. We can’t wait to cheer on our amazing fundraisers as they take on the 26.2 miles their own way.”

Places will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. To request a place or find out more, please contact the Hywel Dda Health Charities team via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01267 239815.

Charity

Pembrokeshire farmer warms up for Rome Marathon in fund-raising bid for Parkinson’s UK

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A retired Pembrokeshire farmer is lacing up his trainers for one of the world’s most iconic marathons, inspired by his family and driven by a cause close to his heart.

On March 22, Steve Ford, 68, will take on the Rome Marathon when he will be running alongside his daughter and son-in-law in what has become a remarkable family endeavour.

Since beginning his training in May 2025, Steve has clocked an extraordinary amount of miles for a first-time marathon runner. He has covered a staggering 726 miles and has logged no fewer than 130 hours of running. This includes 34,524 feet of elevation which is more than the height of Mount Everest.

Now, with less than three weeks to go, Steve has just completed one of his longest training runs to date.

He is running in aid of Parkinson’s UK, which is a cause close to his family’s heart, having been personally touched by the condition. To date, he has raised over £4,100, and his family are immensely proud of everything he has achieved.

Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive brain condition affecting more than 153,000 people in the UK. With over 40 symptoms, ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety and depression, and no cure, the need for research and support has never been greater. Someone in the UK is diagnosed every 20 minutes, and by 2050, the number of people living with Parkinson’s worldwide is expected to double to 25 million. Parkinson’s UK funds vital research into new treatments and provides life-changing support services for those affected.

To support Steve and donate to Parkinson’s UK, visit: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/stephenford/overseas-runs-2026

Health

New seaweed extract shows promising anti-inflammatory and gut health benefits

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW seaweed extract could have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, according to scientists testing it as part of efforts to improve the nation’s health.

Sourced from seaweed sustainably harvested in the UK, it could offer a new natural remedy for gut health ailments. Seaweed is considered to be a “superfood”, due to its high fibre, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

Long recognised in Asia for its therapeutic potential, the seaweed extract fucoidan is now attracting growing interest elsewhere in the world as demand rises for natural compounds with proven health benefits.

The 12-month INNOSea study focused on producing and trialling a purified extract of fucoidan, marketed as Thalivra, which showed promising effects on digestive health and overall wellbeing.

***Dr Jessica Adams with seaweed capsules***

The first 28-day clinical trial suggested improvements in the mental wellbeing of young adults. The results pave the way for larger-scale testing.

Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Life Sciences, alongside researchers at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and seaweed ingredient technology company BioMara, developed and conducted the work.

Dr Jessica Adams, a seaweed expert from IBERS at Aberystwyth University, said: “Many people will have heard of the health and dietary benefits of seaweed – these tests add to that evidence. From a processing and bioactivity standpoint, the data from our study is striking. Achieving food-grade fucoidan at scale with such a potent anti-inflammatory profile is a real breakthrough. It opens the door for Thalivra to be positioned not just as a safe ingredient, but as one with genuine functional potential in gut health and immune-support formulations.”

The human trial was led by Dr Amanda J Lloyd and Dr Alina Warren-Walker from the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University. Dr Lloyd added: “This was the first time BioMara’s seaweed extract has been tested in humans, and the results are very encouraging. Participants tolerated the supplement extremely well, and we observed early trends in mental wellbeing that deserve further study. Importantly, the strong safety and retention profile gives us confidence to scale up into larger and different groups, and for longer trial periods.”

The project was funded by Innovate UK and BBSRC as part of a £2.5 million investment in 13 projects to drive the design and development of innovative food and beverage products.

Jay Dignan, Founder and CEO of BioMara, said: “Completing INNOSea marks a turning point. We’ve proven that Thalivra can be produced at scale, is safe for daily use, and shows compelling anti-inflammatory and wellbeing trends. This lays the foundation for larger clinical trials and, ultimately, commercial partnerships to bring Thalivra into gut health and immune-support formulations in a fast-growing global market.”

Thalivra fucoidan is harvested in Scottish waters and processed into a powder using BioMara’s unique method. It is approved for use as a novel food.