A new vision for mental health is a discussion paper from seven national mental health organisations intended to provoke a debate on the best direction for future mental health policy.

2009 will be a significant year for mental health policy in England.

The government's ten-year plan - the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health - will come to an end, signalling a new era. Important policy choices must be made to ensure both that its achievements are built upon and its shortcomings tackled.

We agree that the underlying aims of future mental health policy must be to:

This will not be easy to achieve, since attitudes have been ingrained over many decades of use, and because medical models of mental health problems have long dominated the debate about the appropriate focus for policy. However, we suggest ways in which we think the vision can be realised.

For the full vision, read the launch press release and the paper below.

Download a New Vision for Mental Health discussion paper (504 KB)

new vision report coverA future vision for mental health

A future vision is the follow up to the new vision report. It sets out our vision for the future of mental health and well-being in England. Based on four principles, it outlines the priorities we believe should underpin mental health policy for the next decade.

Back to the new vision website.