Why we need to focus on prevention
It’s time to build understanding of mental health through targeted public health programmes that prevent mental health problems from developing, or being ignored if they do.
These programmes will be delivered through the NHS and in schools, workplaces and community groups, to help reduce mental health stigma and discrimination.
Why we need to focus on access to support
We need significant investment in mental health so people get timely treatment and support whenever they experience a mental health problem. We need to make sure we’re ambitious about the quality of the services they use.
There also needs to be better community support to prevent mental health crises. When someone is in crisis, high-quality urgent and emergency services must be available 24/7.
Why we need to focus on recovery
It’s time to improve the support people receive as they live with, or recover from, a mental health problem. That means focusing on comprehensive support and care, effectively meeting people’s needs – whatever they are.
It also means getting people the right help to get back into work, education or training.
Why we need to focus on inequality
It’s time to reverse health inequalities, by investing in communities where the prevalence of mental health problems is disproportionately high – and by tackling institutional discrimination.
We need to take a hard look at the causes of persistent inequalities that affect how people engage with services – including racism, poverty, social exclusion, violence and trauma.
How much local NHS partnerships are planning to spend on mental health in 2018-19
Mental health services have been underfunded for decades, resulting in poor quality services and long waiting times for treatments.
The NHS Mental Health Investment Standard requires any increase in overall spending to be matched in mental health. However, Mind's analysis of the latest figures shows significant regional variation, with some areas spending almost half per person on mental health compared to other places.