A leading mental health charity has called the new government’s pledge to reform the Mental Health Act a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Responding to the King’s Speech, national charity Mind said that plans announced within it to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983 were “a welcome first step in tackling the nation’s mental health crisis.” The...
CQC community mental health survey finds poor care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) recently published the results of its 2023 Community Mental Health Survey, which revealed that people’s experiences of community mental health services are generally poor. The watchdog says that the survey, which received feedback from 14,770 people who received treatment for a mental health condition between 1st April and 31st...
New briefing reveals concerns about in-patient mental health care for children
The NSPCC has published a new briefing about young people’s experiences of in-patient mental health care after a sharp increase in the number of children contacting Childline about this issue. The Helplines Insight Briefing reveals that children and young people often feel as though they’re not being listened to when they’re admitted to, cared...
Blue Monday? Let’s embrace a happy and healthy start to 2024
We’re fast approaching the fabled ‘Blue Monday’ – the so-called most depressing day of the year. But it doesn’t have to be as gloomy as prescribed; we’ve got a few tips for helping to boost your mood at this time of year and get 2024 off to a happy, healthy start. The third Monday...
Mental health at work: will support be more widespread in 2024?
The last few years have seen significant strides made in the sphere of mental health at work. But will 2024 be the year that comprehensive workplace mental health support becomes more commonplace? As we bid the previous year goodbye and move into 2024, the Covid-19 pandemic, national lockdowns and enforced working from home fade...
NHS England launches first anti-racism framework
NHS England has published its first ever anti-racism framework to improve experiences of care for racialised and ethnically and culturally diverse communities. The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) was launched on Monday 30th October 2023 and is specifically aimed at supporting mental health trusts and providers to tackle systemic racism, become actively...
Childline: Over 100,000 children seek mental health help
Data released by the NSPCC reveals that over 100,000 children contacted Childline last year for help with mental health struggles. The confidential charity helpline delivered more than 105,000 counselling sessions on mental health and emotional wellbeing between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023 – over half of the total number of counselling sessions...
World Mental Health Day focuses on the right to good mental health
It’s World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10th October 2023, and this year the global campaign will also mark the 75th anniversary of the organisation that founded it, the World Federation for Mental Health. Chosen through a global public vote, the official theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental Health is...