The government has announced plans for a major overhaul of mental health care in England, promising a shift away from crisis intervention towards earlier support and prevention.
Ministers said the new strategy would aim to improve access to care, reduce long waiting times and help more people stay in work, education and their communities as demand for mental health services continues to rise.
The plans include a nationwide call for evidence from clinicians, frontline workers, charities and people with lived experience to help shape what ministers described as a “once-in-a-generation” mental health strategy.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the strategy would support a “whole-system approach” to mental health, with greater focus on schools, workplaces, local government and community services rather than treatment alone.
Focus on prevention and early support
The government said around one in five people are now affected by a common mental health condition, with children and young people facing particularly severe pressures. It also acknowledged the current system remained fragmented and reactive despite record levels of investment.
The strategy forms part of the government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan and follows a rise in NHS mental health spending to a forecast £16.1 billion this year.
Minister for Mental Health Baroness Merron said ministers wanted to move towards earlier intervention and faster support.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
The government said it had already met its target of recruiting 8,500 additional mental health workers three years ahead of schedule.
It has also pledged £473 million over the next four years for mental health emergency departments, community-based services and support hubs for children and young people.
Workplace mental health spotlight
The strategy is expected to place growing emphasis on the role employers play in supporting mental wellbeing and preventing people falling out of work because of mental ill-health.
Paul Schreier, chief executive of healthcare plans provider Simplyhealth, told HRreview that the economic and workplace impact of poor mental health was becoming increasingly severe.
“[Last] week, the UK passed eight million working days lost to mental-ill health in 2026, a concerning milestone. Mental ill-health is the leading cause of long-term absence (41%) and the second most frequent cause of short-term absence (29%),” he said.
He said the forthcoming strategy could play an important role in reducing sickness absence and improving productivity.
“The upcoming Mental Health Strategy, confirmed today, will be key to improving outcomes across the nation, driving down workplace absence, and boosting productivity. Nearly a third (30%) of employees report experiencing depression or anxiety in the last year, with a further one in four (25%) reporting stress or burnout. Employers are crucial partners in meeting this challenge, and in supporting the shift from crisis intervention to preventative care.”
Schreier said businesses would need greater support to improve access to workplace mental health provision.
“As a Vanguard organisation, contributing to the Keep Britain Working review, we are committed to empowering employers to get this right. By improving access to workplace health provision, amongst other important interventions such as improved line manager training, employees will get the support they need, when they need it,” he said.
“We welcome the government’s continued prioritisation of the mental health crisis in the UK. There is no other option than to transform the wellbeing of the nation, leading to a healthier, happier more productive workforce,” he said.
Mental health charities welcome plans
Mental health organisations broadly welcomed the announcement, while warning that delivery would be critical. Rethink Mental Illness said the strategy created an opportunity to improve treatment access and tackle fragmented support.
Mental Health Foundation said it hoped the plans would lead to a stronger focus on prevention and the wider social causes of poor mental health.
The strategy will also consider the relationship between mental health, ADHD and autism following an independent review led by Professor Peter Fonagy. Ministers said autistic people and those with ADHD face significantly higher risks of developing mental health conditions.
The call for evidence opened last Thursday and will run for eight weeks until 10 July.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
