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NHS Announces £2.3 Billion Investment In Mental Health Services

NHS Announces £2.3 Billion Investment In Mental Health Services

The money will pay for access to a 24 hour crisis care line via the NHS 111 number meaning that round-the-clock care will be available

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Mental health is important to us, really important, and we know it is to you too. Which is why the government's recent prioritisation of that particular service is so encouraging.

It has been announced that there will be an additional £2.3 billion ($2.9bn) investment a year by 2023/24 which will support almost 350,000 more children and young people, and at least an extra 380,000 adults over the next five years.

This has been dubbed the 'biggest ever investment' in mental health services which will see around two million more people who suffer with anxiety, depression or other problems receive help over the next decade.

One tool that will be rolled out is a 24 hour access to crisis care via NHS 111. This means we will have round-the-clock mental health crisis care available by 2023/2024, with the intention being to take pressure off A&E departments, paediatric hospital wards and ambulance services.

The plan is for mental and physical care to be brought together for 0-25 year olds so that care is timely and continuous.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LADbible: "Three quarters of mental health problems start before the age of 24. That's why transforming support for under 25s is a cornerstone of the new NHS Long Term Plan.

British Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock leaves 10 Downing Street after a cabinet meeting in London.
PA

"In colleges and schools there will be embedded mental health professionals providing immediate help that can stop issues developing further. And where problems do progress, we're providing 24/7 support through the NHS 111 helpline and extending tailored mental health support from 18 to 25 - ending the cliff edge that too many face as they become adults.

"This issue needs tackling head-on and the U OK M8? campaign is a fantastic example of how encouraging an open dialogue can give young people the help they need to live healthy and happy lives."

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: "We are really pleased to see that mental health is such a key focus in the NHS long term plan and we welcome the £2.3bn set aside for mental health services.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock (left), Prime Minister Theresa May and NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens visiting Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where they launched the NHS Long Term Plan.
PA

"This is the kind of sustained investment we need to see to put mental health on an equal footing with physical health and, if delivered, this plan will make a difference to the lives of thousands of people with mental health problems.

"Everyone now needs to work together to develop the workforce needed and to deliver these plans and to ensure the money reaches the front line. Local decision makers need to develop their own plans and the proof of delivery will be in the experiences of people trying to access the services they need."

There will also be new support for young adults, with tailored services extending beyond 18, to 25. This move hopes to help thousands more tackle any mental illness issues that can arise during the transition to adulthood.

UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.

MIND: 0300 123 3393.

Samaritans: 116 123.

CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Mental Health, UK, NHS

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