Bromley is set to launch a new Mental Health Strategy, aiming to improve services and support for residents across all age groups. The Bromley Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the strategy at their meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025, alongside other key health initiatives, including a Learning Disabilities Strategy and a Suicide Prevention Plan.
The Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-30 builds upon the successes of the previous strategy (2020-25), which saw the roll-out of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and the establishment of the Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. The new strategy addresses areas where improvements are needed, such as unequal access to services and the need for more early intervention.
The strategy focuses on five key priorities: targeted community prevention and early intervention, helping children and young people thrive, safe transitions from children's to adult's mental health services, better recovery outcomes, and improved outcomes for older people with mental health challenges and dementia. It's underpinned by themes of living well, resilient communities, joined-up care, and best use of resources.
Also under consideration was the Learning Disabilities Strategy 2025 – 2030. This strategy focuses on being positively prepared for adulthood, community inclusion, a healthy life, good housing, and promoting learning, work and independence. The council currently supports around 780 adults with learning disabilities, costing approximately £67 million per year.
The Health and Wellbeing Board also reviewed the Bromley Suicide Prevention Plan 2025-30, which aims to reduce suicide rates, improve support for those who have self-harmed, and support those bereaved by suicide. The plan sets out ambitions to reduce the suicide rate in Bromley, improve support for people who have self-harmed, and improve support for people bereaved by suicide.
Finally, the board discussed implementing neighbourhood working in Bromley, aiming to reduce demand through developing neighbourhood models and addressing inequalities. The meeting agenda also included a Better Care Fund Performance update and a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Consultation.