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The Scottish executive is unlikely in future to fund any mental health services that do not promote inclusion.

 Linda Reid, senior liaison officer at the executive, told a mental health conference in Glasgow that the days of groups, clubs and services run specifically for those with mental health problems were numbered.

People should be encouraged to join mainstream groups wherever possible, Reid told the Pavilion conference. And she said it would not be long before direct payments would allow mental health clients to buy membership to their local gym.

Measures to encourage mainstreaming could be included in a mental health service delivery plan due to be published in December.