This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Leading organisations call on government to make mental health funding a priority
Centre for Mental Health, the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Network, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have joined to create The Mental Health Policy Group and produced the plan, titled ‘Improving England’s Mental Health: The First 100 Days and Beyond’, published on 29 May.
The plan sets out five priority areas for action that the government should take into account to ensure mental and physical health are valued equally. These are: to ensure fair funding for mental health, give children a good start in life, improve physical health care for people with mental health problems, improve the lives of people with mental health problems and enable better access to mental health services.
The Mental Health Policy Group has reported that poor mental health carries an economic and social cost of £105 billion annually in England and that business loses £26 billion due to mental ill health every year. Currently just 25 per cent of people with depression an anxiety access treatment and only 65 per cent of people with psychosis receive support.
Speaking jointly, the leaders of The Mental Health Policy Group said: “The Queen’s speech this week set out the government’s intention to improve access to mental health services over the next five years. This is very much welcome. These first 100 days represent a valuable opportunity for the government to meaningfully demonstrate its commitment to improving the lives of people with mental health problems.
"Our plan sets out a range of actions needed to make that happen, of which increased investment will be vital. The Chancellor, George Osborne, set out in the March budget a commitment to increase funding for mental health services for children and new mothers by £1.25 billion over the Parliament. The upcoming emergency budget is a golden opportunity for this government to demonstrate its commitment by re-pledging that much needed investment in mental health services.”
Read the plan here
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