Details of public health grants to councils were published yesterday (we're shifting treatment to prevention, remember)

But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb)

Cover of the Times from today, with the top headline saying "Anxiety 'to cause a lost generation on benefits '", based on an interview with Alan Milburn

Some really unhelpful comments in this interview with Alan Milburn, particularly:

"Anxiety is normal. Depression is normal."

And the claim that 83% of the population could be diagnosed with a mental health problem at any given time

It's simply not good enough when stigma is rising again...

Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%).

Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap.

Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).

It's vital that people using mental health services are able to access support during a crisis.

But in 2024, over a quarter of respondents to the CQC's Community Mental Health Survey said they did not get the crisis support they needed from their out of hours contact.

Read more: buff.ly/wEAPT9u

The Big Mental Health Report reveals that Monthly referrals for children and young people's mental health services have almost tripled since 2016.

"I first reached out for help in 2005 and only received the correct diagnosis, medication and treatment in 2022." Gavin, from the Big Mental Health Report.

The Big Mental Health Report reveals that 100,000 adults and 350,000 children and young people have been waiting more than two years for their second contact with mental health services."

We worked with @mind.org.uk to produce the annual The Big Mental Health Report, which brings together the latest evidence on the current state of mental health and mental health services in England and Wales.
Read here👇
www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our...

‘Alarming rise’ in mental health stigma in England, research shows One in 10 people unwilling to live next to someone who has been mentally ill even if they have recovered, Mind reports The number of people in England who are frightened of living near people with mental health problems has nearly doubled to one in seven, which experts warn reflects an “alarming rise in stigma”. Even if the mentally ill person had recovered, one in 10 people said they would be unwilling to live next to them, according to new research from the mental health charity Mind. Continue reading...

‘Alarming rise’ in mental health stigma in England, research shows

In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...

Quote from Jude Stansfield, Claire Robson and Ian Walker: "Public mental health – a term that includes work to promote mental wellbeing, to prevent mental ill health, and to pursue social justice – is essential to create a mentally healthier future for all.”

Quote from Jude Stansfield, Claire Robson and Ian Walker: “Yet it is often undervalued: on the margins of both public health (which tend to prioritise physical health) and mental health services (that focus on treatment and care for individuals).”

📢Latest guest blog from Public Health specialists Jude Stansfield, Ian Walker and Claire Robson on why we need national leadership for the public’s mental health www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/why-we-need-... #PublicMentalHealth
#MentalHealthLeadership #Prevention #HealthEquity #PublicHealth

Published our work today on young people’s experiences of the ‘missing middle’ of mental health support.

We were told of the emotional impact of struggling to access help.

You can read the overview of what we heard here👇🏻

English: lnkd.in/eQmHwf4D

Cymraeg: lnkd.in/enmV76Dt

Mental health waiting lists: Amy has complex PTSD but has seen a psychiatrist once in 10 years Twelve times more mental health patients are waiting more than 18 months for treatment than those with physical health conditions in England, data analysis shows.

Our exclusive analysis for BBC News has revealed a stark inequality between mental and physical healthcare.

People like Amy are having their lives put on hold as they wait for support.

We need to see action 👇
bbc.in/40STKiV

Poverty of Ambition: Why we need bold action to tackle poverty and improve mental health This briefing report provides evidence on the relationship between poverty and mental health, and how our mental health is shaped by the wide-ranging characteristics of the social, economic, and physi...

Our new report, published alongside the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, sets out the links between poverty and poor mental health www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/pol...

We'll be continuing to raise this with parliamentarians as they debate the government's deeply flawed proposals on welfare reform.

The argument is that this will improve the patient voice (or indeed the staff voice)? It is not brilliant now but how does this improve things? Am I missing something?

On a light blue background text reads "We are deeply saddened to hear that the Government has decided to close Healthwatch. Over the last 12 years its hard working staff and volunteers have led vital work driving improvement in the NHS by connecting into local communities and giving millions of people a way to share their concerns". To the bottom left corner text reads 'Jacob Lant, Chief Executive on the closure of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations'. To the bottom right corner is the National Voices logo.

🧵1/5

Our Chief Executive, @jacoblant.bsky.social, previously Head of Policy, Public Affairs, and Research at @healthwatchengland.bsky.social, has responded to the Government’s decision to close Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations.

Continue reading for his full response👇

One in four young people in England have mental health condition, NHS survey finds Rates are three times as high in young women as in young men and mental ill health up across age groups, study shows Sharp rises in rates of anxiety, depression and other disorders have led to one in four young people in England having a common mental health condition, an NHS survey shows, with young women three times more likely than men to report them. The study found that rates of such conditions in 16- to 24-year-olds have risen by more than a third in a decade, from 18.9% in 2014 to 25.8% in 2024. More than a fifth (22.6%) of adults aged 16 to 64 have a common mental health condition, up from 18.9% in 2014. More than one in four adults (25.2%) reported having had suicidal thoughts during their lifetime, including about a third of 16- 24-year-olds (31.5%) and 25- to 34-year-olds (32.9%). Self-harm rates have quadrupled since 2000 and risen from 6.4% in 2014 to 10.3% in 2024, with the highest rates among 16- to 24-year-olds at 24.6%, especially young women at 31.7%. Continue reading...

One in four young people in England have mental health condition, NHS survey finds

An older Black man is sitting in a wheelchair in a relaxed space having a cup of tea and a slice of cake. He is smiling and in conversation with another older person. Text: Growing the grassroots: The impact of South East London Mind's engagement with voluntary and community organisations

📢 New report: Larger charities can tackle mental health inequalities by working alongside grassroots organisations 👇

Our evaluation of @selmindcharity.bsky.social‬'s programme shows how grant funding enabled community groups to effectively support marginalised communities: tinyurl.com/y8z6979y

Screenshot of Vicky's letter to the Prime Minister (page 1)

Screenshot of Vicky's letter to the Prime Minister (page 2)

(1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip.

Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.

Sign Mind's open letter: end racial inequality in the Mental Health Act We're calling on MPs to take urgent action to end racial inequality in the use of the Mental Health Act. Join us and sign the open letter today

Right now a group of MPs are scrutinising the Mental Health Bill. I’ve signed the @mind.org.uk‬ open letter calling on them to take action to end racial inequality in the Mental Health Act. Will you join me and sign the open letter too?
campaigns.mind.org.uk/page/172559/...

Royal College of Psychiatrists says it cannot yet support assisted dying bill

We know what helps: decent pay, safe, affordable housing, strong communities, and support when people need it. It’s time politicians stopped blaming the most vulnerable and started facing the facts. 3/3

A screenshot of a news article with the headline "Nigel Farage claims UK is 'massively overdiagnosing' mental illness". The subheading reads "Reform leader claims GPs creating a 'class of victims' in elections speech." We've crossed out 'claims UK' and 'over-diagnosing' and replaced the latter with 'over-stigmatising' so the new headline reads "Nigel Farage is massively over-stigmatising mental illness". Above it is the headline, in Mind font, "Here we go again..."

Let’s be real – the facts are the real victims here. They keep being overlooked in favour of fuelling culture wars. 1/3

Mental health struggles are shaped by our society – things like poverty, job insecurity, and a lack of support. But instead of asking what's driving an increase in mental health problems, our politicians choose to demonise those who are struggling most in our society. 2/3

Ministers - more health checks are not game changing, actual action on public health would be game changing

as per @sebrees1.bsky.social & co bsky.app/profile/sebr...

and
@felly500.bsky.social hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...

and @swoolnoughtkf.bsky.social
hsj.co.uk/service-rede...

Changing the mental health paradigm While there’s a shared wish to change mental health services, this isn't often followed by the resource to make it happen, writes Victor Adebowale.

"Mental health is either attacked as a symptom of the ‘woke’ agenda or acknowledged as relevant to both social wellbeing and the wider economy, without always being followed up by real actions that create change."

Read our chair Victor's full blog on changing the mental health paradigm. 🔗 💡

Government accused of ‘failing’ mental health patients as share of NHS budget to fall The drop comes despite warnings of a deepening mental health crisis

Yesterday, the UK government confirmed that mental health spending as a share of the NHS budget fell last year in England - and is set to fall again next year. 1/3

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mental-health-nhs-funding-wes-streeting-b2723146.html

Exclusive: Govt admits cutting mental health spend share The proportion of the NHS budget spent on mental health services is being cut for the first time in several years, the government will admit to Parliament, HSJ has learned.

The proportion of the NHS budget spent on mental health services is being cut for the first time in several years, the government will admit to Parliament, HSJ has learned.
www.hsj.co.uk/mental-healt...

'The fiscal outlook requires difficult choices, but the decisions taken in today’s Spring Statement will hit some of the most vulnerable people the hardest and risk damaging the nation's health and future prosperity.' Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive at the Health Foundation

Responding to today’s Spring Statement, our Chief Executive, Jennifer Dixon says the Chancellor's cuts risk compromising people's health, with changes to benefits that will leave many people worse off, in worse health and less able to return to work.

Read our full response ⬇️

buff.ly/YZ6EXKJ

Poor mental health costs £118bn. Benefit cuts are not the answer The Mental Health Foundation argues that the cost of cutting disability benefits will be greater than the savings.

On what the government has got wrong in its reforms of the benefit system: www.bigissue.com/opinion/ment...

Mental health support • Mind runs a support line on 0300 102 1234 as a safe and confidential place to talk openly. It also has an information line, on 0300 123 3393, for details of where to get help near you. And its welfare benefits line – 0300 222 5782 – supports anyone with mental health problems who is navigating the benefits system. • Samaritans is there to talk to you for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call them on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. • The disability charity Scope has a forum where you can chat in a supportive atmosphere to people going through the same experiences. • NHS England has an online mental health triage service.

Benefits support • The Trussell Trust's Help through Hardship helpline, on 0808 208 2138, is a free and confidential phone service offered alongside Citizens Advice that provides advice to people experiencing hardship. You can also find your local Trussell Trust food bank here. • Benefits and Work provides guides, forums and newsletters to help people navigate the benefits system and get the support they are entitled to. This includes benefit applications and appeals. • Turn2Us provides a free benefits calculator to help you find out what benefits you can claim, as well as a grants search service and a Pip Helper to assist you in applying for the benefit. • The Law Centres website helps people find their local service for benefits support and more, while Advicelocal provides a search directory tool to find your local advice provider.

I know coverage of disability benefits can be very distressing. So, I’ve worked with colleagues to make a range of support visible on The Guardian’s site.

If you click on a relevant news story, you’ll see a “drop box” of signposted mental health help as well as benefits advice.

Text graphic: Evidence shows that when governments tighten benefit rules, people’s mental health gets worse. If more people fall into poverty, both the prevalence and severity of mental ill health is likely to rise.

Reducing entitlements to disability or incapacity benefits will do nothing to raise living standards or help more people into employment.

Access to both of these benefits is essential for people’s mental health - restricting them will undermine their very purpose.