Responding to Spending Review

Today’s Spending Review gives us a crucial insight into what the government’s priorities really are – but we want to see more done to ensure mental health gets the urgent attention it needs.

Impact on people with mental health needs

We welcome the investment in the NHS and the expansion of mental health support in schools. But the impact that today’s announcements will have on people with mental health needs is still unclear.

Mental health is not just a health issue, but a social one, shaped by every aspect of our lives and the public services we use.

Government’s three shifts

The government’s planned three shifts for health – analogue to digital, treatment to prevention and from hospital to community – are ambitious and potentially transformational.

We know that if these shifts are achieved, they will make a real difference to people’s lives.

But these changes won’t happen without proper investment in mental health services and in the people who work in them. Social care is also essential, and didn’t get the focus it needs today.

Mental health can’t wait

We hope the upcoming 10 year health plan and NHS workforce plan will give mental health the attention and support it urgently needs – with 600,000 people experiencing severe mental illness, adults feeling lonelier, and young people saying their wellbeing is getting worse, it really can’t wait.