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Context: Consultation revealed severe capacity gaps in mental health services directly impacting service access and therefore equality outcomes.
Approach: Evidence gathering highlighted how capacity issues create and compound inequalities.
Implementation:
Direct feedback gathered: “My own experience is that mental health support in Lothian is essentially non-existent for people with moderate mental health conditions and inconsistent, difficult or impossible to access for people with long-term and more serious conditions.” (Source: 2020 Equality Outcomes Consultation, Lothian resident)
Impact:
This evidence revealed:
- Capacity gaps create differential outcomes
- Moderate needs completely unmet
- Severe needs inconsistently met
- Inequality compounds mental health challenges
Key learning:
- Capacity directly impacts equality outcomes
- Service gaps affect different groups differently
- Evidence highlights real human impact
- Capacity building must be systematic
(Source: Equality Outcomes 2021-2025 Consultation feedback, Edinburgh Council)