The Government is seeking views on how mental health services can be improved, to inform a new 10-year strategy.
The public, people of all ages with lived experience of mental health conditions and those who support people with mental ill-health are urged to respond to the call to inform a new 10-year mental health plan and a refreshed national suicide prevention plan seeking views on what can be improved within the current service, particularly in light of the pandemic which has led to record levels of people seeking treatment.
To read more on this subject, visit:
- More action needed to ensure people with learning disabilities get the right care
- Record high number of referrals for mental health
- Suicide prevention: How nurses can make all the difference
‘The pandemic put unprecedented pressure on people across the country. While we continue to expand and transform our mental health services under the NHS Long Term Plan to meet rising demand, we know we need to go further,’ said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid.
‘Too many people, particularly our children and young people, do not have the tools and support they need to look after their wellbeing or prevent mental health problems from escalating.’
Around 1 in 5 adults in Britain experienced some form of depression in the first 3 months of 2021, over double pre-pandemic figures. The plan will also look at how initiatives across government including green social prescribing, online harms and Thriving at Work can work together to ensure people’s daily practical, social and emotional needs are being met, as well as how to fully harness the potential of technology and data to support better mental health.
‘Mind has long been calling for a more joined-up approach from government to mental health, one which follows the evidence of what works in areas like benefits, education and housing to build a better future for us all, and reduces the glaring racial and social inequalities that persist in mental health,’ said Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind.
‘A truly cross-government plan will play a key role in making sure support for our mental health starts to be rebuilt post-pandemic to the same level as for our physical health.’