The Department of Health and Social Care has recently launched a call for evidence to inform its new cross-government mental health strategy. The next stage in the 10 Year Health Plan programme of reform.
The strategy will help to “drive a shift from crisis intervention to preventative care” which intends to look “beyond clinical settings to consider the role of schools, workplaces, the voluntary sector and local government in promoting positive mental health, moving from a system that first and foremost seeks to diagnose patients, to one that asks what support people need to live better”.
The strategy will also respond to the forthcoming recommendations from the independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism chaired psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy.
The call for evidence is seeking examples and implementation evidence to:
- Inform a new strategic approach to mental health
- Implement improvements in outcomes across the life course
The DHSC are keen to hear from service providers in both the NHS and independent sector and those who have direct experience of service provision from clinicians and commissioners to academics and advocacy groups. Individuals with lived experience will also be engaged to ensure their voices are reflected in the final strategy.
Examples of good practice from across the UK, internationally and from across other sectors is welcomed, including:
- mental health and wider health services
- local government
- education and training settings
- workplaces
- community settings
The DHSC have also confirmed that a “dedicated cross-government autism strategy will also be developed and published in due course, and the government will engage with stakeholders to consider extending it to cover ADHD”.
Commenting on the announcement, Baroness Merron, Minister for Mental Health, said:
“This government believes that mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical health, yet too many people across the country are struggling to get the support they need, when they need it.”
“Alongside record investment in mental health services and more mental health workers than ever in the NHS, this strategy will give mental health the attention it deserves and set us on a new direction - one that focuses on earlier help, faster access and a whole-system approach.”
“We want to hear from everyone with a stake in getting this right, including frontline clinicians, service providers, and people with lived experience of mental health conditions, so that we can build a system that truly works for everyone.”
Have your say
You can read the call for evidence and respond to the call for evidence by using the online survey. You will see many of the questions relate to the three shifts.
The survey closes on 10 July 2026.
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