Charities' views sought on government blueprint for mental health over next decade

Charities are being urged to take part in a consultation on government plans to overhaul mental health services over the next 10 years.

The government wants to hear from people with mental health challenges and those who support them over its plans for a cross government 10-year blueprint for mental health.

Early intervention and he promotion of positive wellbeing are among issues addressed in the consultation.

In addition, ministers want views on current mental health support, in particular help for people in crisis.

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said that the consultation was “a once in a generation chance to change the way government makes decisions to act in the interest of the nation’s mental health”.

He added: “Mind has long been calling for a more joined-up approach from Government to mental health, which has a social and economic cost to the country of £120 billion a year and causes untold damage to every community.

“A truly cross-Government plan will play a key role in making sure support for our mental health get rebuilt post-pandemic to the same level as for our physical health.”

Meanwhile, with the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition says the consultation is “a real opportunity to shape the future of mental health support”.

We welcome the publication of the Call for Evidence for a new 10 year mental health plan. This is a real opportunity to shape the future of mental health support for babies, children and young people 👇https://t.co/iHys5awJCo
— Children & Young People's Mental Health Coalition (@CYPMentalHealth) April 12, 2022

Elsewhere, Young Minds chief executive Emma Thomas called on its supporters to make their views known.

She described the consultation as a “critical opportunity to influence and ensure investment in the changes needed” around mental health support.

The consultation deadline was originally set at July 5 but has been extended by two days.

Last month evidence emerged that mental health support is an increasingly important issue for charity supporters this year.

Enthuse’s Donor Pulse Spring survey found that the proportion of people giving to mental health charities has increased from 23% to 29% over the year. This is the largest increase in support among charities over the last 12 months.