The Coalition on the Government's coming mental health strategy

6 September 2010

The Future Vision Coalition warmly welcomes the Government's announcement that it will publish a new mental health strategy for England in the next few months.

We are delighted that the minister has highlighted the links between poverty and poor mental health, and the need to offer and range of supports to people with mental health problems. For many people with mental health difficulties, good social support networks and having a job, a decent income and a stable place to live are just as important as their health care to achieving better lives.

We welcome the Minister's commitment to giving mental health parity with physical health in the NHS and from the new Public Health Service. Mental health is also an important issue for local authorities, employment, housing, justice and children's services. So it is vital that the new mental health strategy is supported by clear outcome measures for health and other public services to ensure progress continues to be made in supporting the public’s mental health and improving support for people with mental health problems.