One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness (Source: NHS EnglandĀ and many more know and care for those affected by it. Mental ill health is a broad issue but the costs are acute, impacting on individuals, their families, carers, wider society and the NHS (Source: NHS England).Ā 

The NHS Long Term Plan commits to growing investment in mental health services faster than the overall budget. This includes investment into areas such as:Ā 

  • Children and young peopleā€™s mental healthĀ 
  • Perinatal mental healthĀ 
  • Adult mental health: common mental healthĀ 
  • Adult mental health: community, acute and crisis careĀ 

Together, through innovation and improvements, we can use this budget to enhance the quality of care patients receive and create opportunities for prevention and faster intervention so more people receive the help they need.Ā 

We also need to give particular attention to the neurodiverse, since neurodiversity and mental health conditions often co-occur, with a number autistic people exhibiting signs of OCD, insomnia, and ADHD. (Source: NHS). Our programmes in autism and learning disability seek to address this.Ā 

Programmes and initiatives

Early intervention on eating disorders

Together, we can respond to early eating disorder onset with rapid intervention, ensuring young people receive the treatment they need in good time.

Two unidentified people talking, seated - man on left is wearing grey polo shirt, person on right is holding a clipboard and wearing a white doctor's coat

Focus on ADHD

Together, we can implement technology to analyse ADHD symptoms, reduce waiting times and speed up diagnoses.

Two unidentified people looking at text box, pointing to text in book

Reducing restrictive practice

Together we can reduce restrictive practice by supporting healthcare professionals working with mental health and learning disability inpatients.

Older lady in cardigan wearing face mask talking to medical practitioner, who has back to camera