Backlash after mental health strategy abandoned by government

Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 9 February 2023

The government has ditched its 10 Year Mental Health Plan, launched only last year, to the dismay of campaigners and professionals.

The plan will now be merged with a wider strategy on ‘major conditions and diseases’ including mental health.

But campaigners fear much of the early work done during the consultation phase of the original strategy will be lost.

Nearly 20 mental health charities and organisations issued a joint statement branding the move a “betrayal of the government’s promise to develop a visionary new plan for mental health”.

“Grouping mental ill-health with chronic health conditions such as cancer and respiratory diseases will fail to bring about the long-term government thinking needed to tackle the root causes of mental health problems or provide people with the care they need,” the statement read.

And there are fears for children and young people, currently experiencing a tsunami of mental ill health:

“The merging of the mental health plan with a Major Conditions Strategy risks excluding our children and young people, who are less likely to experience chronic ill-health, yet are the most likely to benefit from early action to protect their mental health. Prevention should be at the heart of the new plan.”

UNICEF UK has campaigned for the rising needs of children and young people to be met by improving support and investing in preventative services and stated: “The new strategy will need to address the needs of babies, children and young people. It will also need to span across prevention, early intervention and wider determinants. This is key to addressing pressure on the NHS in the long-term.”

People with lived experience of mental health issues contributed to the 10 Year Plan consultation and Mind tweeted: “A year ago, the UK government promised us a full, 10-year cross-government mental health plan. They look to be replacing it with a Major Conditions Strategy. This is not good enough.

“28,000 people shared their experiences on what should be in a 10-year mental health plan. These experiences can’t be wasted.

“We want to see a bold plan. One that prevents poor mental health and supports the millions of people currently living with mental health conditions.”

Stephen Parker, national head of service (Mental Health) for Turning Point, a leading health and social care provider of more than 300 services in the UK, said: “After years of chronic underinvestment, the shock of the recent pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, mental health services are struggling to meet demand.

“To address these challenges, the government must set out bold plans for how health, housing and social care services can work together more effectively to support those living with poor mental health and ensure no-one falls through the gaps."

When questioned at a health select committee on whether legislation will be brought forward to reform the Mental Health Act, health secretary Steve Barclay said he could not "pre-empt" legislation.

He also said there was a danger people may confuse "strategy for delivery on the ground" and said: "Having a plethora of strategy is not necessarily the best way to deliver".

He insisted "the financial commitment is there."