20,000 give feedback on mental health services

Over 20,000 people have voiced their opinions on what the top priorities should be for reshaping mental health services as part of a drive to develop a five year national NHS strategy for people of all ages.

Better access to high quality services, a wider choice of treatments, more focus on prevention, more funding and less stigma came top of the list for change by 2020.

The results of the Mental Health Taskforce: Engagement Report have been published and will be discussed during a session at the NHS England Expo 2015 conference.

Paul Farmer, chair of the Taskforce and CEO of Mind, said:

“I am really pleased that we have had such an astonishing response to our call for feedback. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to feed into this process so far, from people with lived experience of mental health problems and their families and friends, to mental health and other health and social care professionals and the general public."

“We are especially pleased that the response has come from such a diverse range of voices, particularly those most marginalised by society."

“There is a clear consensus among everyone we have spoken to so far that things need to happen – and urgently. There are some excellent initiatives underway, such as the Crisis Care Concordat, which in time will have a real and significant impact on the quality of care people receive."

“But we need also to look at what we can do for everyone struggling with their mental health and asking the NHS for help now and in the future, whatever their age or background. The Taskforce has the chance in a generation to deliver change that is achievable, urgent and necessary.”

Read the full press release from NHS England