Prime Minister outlines key priorities for mental health investment
The Prime Minister is announcing plans for investment in mental health care, including 290m for perinatal care, 247m in liaison mental health services in AE and expanded services to help teenagers with eating disorders.
The announcements will come later today as part of a speech focused on the government’s plans to improve people’s life chances and tackle poverty.
They have also been recommended by NHS England's independent mental health taskforce, chaired by Mind’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer. The report, to be published in the coming weeks, will set out a five-year mental health strategy for the NHS.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“This is a significant moment for mental health and we are pleased to see the Prime Minister giving it the attention it deserves. Mental health is hugely important in any discussion about improving life chances and mental health problems can affect anyone, from mums-to-be preparing for their first child to older people at risk of isolation.
"The Prime Minister rightly recognises some key priorities that have been identified by the mental health taskforce, which will soon be publishing its full report. Children and young people, pregnant women and new mums, and those in crisis urgently need better services and support. But it doesn’t stop there. The taskforce will be setting out the road map for the next five years, a transformational plan that will require a commitment at every level, from government right through to every local community.”
