Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced new measures to transform the way we approach and deal with mental health in schools, workplaces and communities. Giving people the right mental health support is one of the most important ways to make sure everyone has the best start in life and gets the care they need.
The new measures include increased support for schools, meaning that every secondary school in the country will be offered mental health first aid training and encouraged to build stronger links with local NHS and mental health staff. It also includes new partnerships with employers, to improve mental health support in the workplace. Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, will lead a review on how best to ensure employees with mental health problems are able to thrive in the workplace.
The government are also providing further alternatives to hospital treatment, recognising that seeing a GP or going to A&E will not always be the right intervention for everyone. £15 million will be invested to provide and promote new models of community-based care, such as crisis cafes and community clinics. In Gloucestershire, 2gether is the local NHS Trust specialising in social and mental healthcare across the county. 2gether’s specialist services include adults, children and young people, older people, and those with learning disabilities. More information about 2gether’s services can be found on their website at http://www.2gether.nhs.uk/ .
To support these new plans, the Government will also continue to expand digital mental health services, which will by extension rapidly expand mental health treatment. This will revolve around the delivery of a £67.7 million digital mental health package so that those worried about stress, anxiety or more serious issues can go online, check their symptoms and, if needed, access digital therapy immediately rather than waiting weeks for a face-to-face appointment.
This week’s announcements build on continued improvements to mental health support since 2010. The Government is currently investing more in mental health than ever before – spending an estimated £11.7 billion a year, and has already legislated to give mental and physical health equal priority in law.
I welcome these changes, as they go right to the heart of shared values and making sure we live in a country where everyone is supported.