Inside England’s New Mental Health Care Investment Strategy
During Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK government launched a call for evidence to shape a new cross-government mental health strategy.
Part of the 10 Year Health Plan, this initiative invites clinicians, frontline workers and experts to share views on transforming care for adults and children in England.
The strategy aims to drive a shift towards prevention, treating people faster and supporting them to remain active in their communities.
Addressing current challenges
Currently, around one in five people are affected by common mental health conditions. Demand has risen rapidly, leaving children and young people facing long waiting times.
The existing system remains reactive and fragmented, with support varying by postcode and often arriving only at crisis point. The strategy aims to set a new direction to ensure the system responds earlier and more proportionately.
Baroness Merron, Minister for Mental Health, highlighted the need for reform, stating: "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.”
Investment and resources
Improving care is a priority in the government's manifesto. The target to hire 8,500 extra mental health workers was met three years ahead of schedule, and NHS mental health spending is forecast to reach a record £16.1bn (US$21.6bn) this year, a real-terms increase of around £14m (US$18.7m).
Additionally, £473m (US$633.6m) is being allocated over four years for emergency departments, community centres and capital projects. This funding will accelerate Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges while expanding support through Early Support and Young Futures Hubs.
Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness UK, welcomed the long-term plan, stating: "We welcome this announcement as a significant step forward, particularly for people severely affected by mental illness who too often face the greatest barriers to support. Long waits for treatment, unsafe inpatient care and fragmented services remain a daily reality for many and a long-term strategy creates the opportunity to change that.
“What matters now is delivery. We need rapid improvements in access to timely, appropriate treatment, urgent action to ensure inpatient settings are safe and therapeutic, and support that is properly joined up across health, housing and community services. The social security system must also provide a fair and reliable foundation for people who are too unwell to work.
“We stand ready to work with the government to ensure this strategy delivers meaningful, measurable change for those who need it most.”
Broadening beyond clinical care
The strategy looks beyond clinical settings to schools, workplaces, local government and the voluntary sector, moving to a framework that asks what support people need to live better. It will also respond to an independent review into mental health, ADHD and autism chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy. Because autistic people and those with ADHD face higher risks of mental health conditions, the strategy will reflect their needs alongside a future autism strategy.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “This is a big moment for England’s mental health. For many years, we’ve been calling for a radical shift towards a cross-government approach with a focus on prevention, and we look forward to contributing to the plan’s success.
“Our nation’s mental health has gone downhill over recent decades due to things like the COVID-19 pandemic and the legacy of austerity. But change is possible, and we are pleased that the government is taking action.
“We will be advocating for the plan to be ambitious, evidence-led and with a real focus on those communities most at risk of poor mental health; and to address the social and economic factors that shape all our mental health.”
The call for evidence will remain open for eight weeks, closing on 10 July 2026.
