Section 1 Context Mental health and policy in Scotland Mental
health problems can affect anyone. Mental health conditions vary
in symptoms and severity. Depression and anxiety is most common,
but many people live with severe and enduring mental illness,
such as schizophrenia. Dementia is more common in older people
and numbers are increasing. Developments in mental health
services mean more people now receive treatment in the
community. Scotland has a rich policy and legislative framework
underpinning for mental health services and the promotion of
mental well-being. Underpinning the policy and legislative
agenda is a recognition that mental health problems are more
liable to arise among those who are socioeconomically
disadvantaged, socially excluded and/ or victim to
discrimination or abuse. Policy to tackle inequality in Scotland
is set out in Equally well (3), the report of the Ministerial
Task Force on Health Inequalities. Central to the development of
mental health services in Scotland is Delivering for