Health Management and Policy Alert

Fixing the foundations: the case for investing in children's health

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) - 

This analysis, following individuals born in a single week in 1970 throughout their lives, finds that mental health problems at age 10 have significant implications 40 years on. Children with severe mental and behavioural problems are 85 per cent more likely to have symptoms of depression at age 51 and 68 per cent more likely to have a long-term condition that impacts their ability to work. The IPPR argues the findings underscore the long-term impacts of untreated mental or behavioural issues and highlight the urgent need for early intervention to prevent soaring demand on the NHS, council services and social security system.

• Report
• Press release

Mental health inpatient settings: overarching report of investigations directed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) - 

In June 2023 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that HSSIB would undertake a series of investigations focused on Mental health inpatient settings. This overarching report brings together and explores cross-cutting patient safety risks across the individual investigations.

• Report
• More detail

Investment priorities for mental health 2025

Centre for Mental Health -
At a time of rising demand for mental health care and years of declining mental wellbeing in society, mental health services in England are under enormous pressure. The upcoming ten-year health plan and Spending Review is an opportunity for the government to ensure public money is spent wisely, on services that will meet people’s needs effectively, equitably and in a timely manner. This report draws on existing evidence about six investment priorities that would support better mental health and represent good value for money.

• Report
• Centre for Mental Health - press release

The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK

Mental Health Foundation - 

This report presents evidence on the circumstances which asylum seekers and refugees in the UK can face, and how these experiences can harm their mental health and even lead to suicidal feelings and actions.

• Report
• Press release

Mental health: shifting the focus

NHS Providers - 

This briefing sets out the current state of the mental health sector and why there is a need to provide more clarity, coherence and alignment on what needs to be prioritised in the short to medium term to deliver high quality, sustainable mental health services in line with the government's three shifts (across treatment to prevention, hospital to community, and analogue to digital).

• Briefing

Lampard Inquiry background presentation

The King's Fund -

The Lampard Inquiry is investigating the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex between 2000 - 2023. The King's Fund delivered a seminar to support the inquiry on the context of mental health policy.

• Access the presentation

Invest in childhood: priorities for preventing mental ill health among children and young people

Centre for Mental Health - 

Mental health is a critical issue for babies, children and young people, and addressing mental ill health is essential for their overall wellbeing. The government can help to create the conditions for them to thrive, with better mental health, improved life chances, and a brighter future. This report explores the available evidence about how government can use its powers to boost children’s mental health, investing in what works, and stewarding its resources wisely.

• Report
• Press release

#BeeWell: the state of young people’s wellbeing in England

Social Market Foundation - 

This briefing paper looks at case studies from the young people's charity #BeeWell in schools in Greater Manchester and Hampshire. Key points are: there are persistent wellbeing inequalities across gender and sexual orientation; neighbourhoods play a significant role in young people’s wellbeing; and participation in arts, culture, entertainment, and sports can improve young people’s wellbeing.

• Briefing paper
• Press release

Community mental health survey 2024

Care Quality Commission -
This survey of more than 14,000 people who accessed community mental health services found that 4 in 10 (40%) people are waiting too long for care. A third of people (33%) waited 3 months or more for their first treatment and 4 in 10 people said they did not receive any support while they waited. It highlighted persistent gaps in care including people struggling to access care, not feeling involved in their care, and not receiving support when they needed it.

• Survey results
• Care Quality Commission - press release

A step towards change: members perspectives on government policies on children and young people’s mental health

Children & Young People's Mental Health Coalition -
The establishment of a new government brought a renewed commitment to babies, children and young people’s mental health. The new government have made a series of commitments in relation to children and young people’s mental health and have pledged to raise the healthiest generation of children and achieve parity of esteem between physical and mental health. Members of the Coalition were surveyed in order to understand the impact of these new policies on the children and young people’s mental health landscape.

• Report
• Children & Young People's Mental Health Coalition - publications