Policy

We work to develop evidence-based mental health policies across the UK to help everyone enjoy good mental health and make a better recovery from mental illness. 

We have a proud history of informing and influencing policy at a national and local government level.

This work goes hand-in-hand with our research, campaigns and service development activity and enables us to respond promptly to Government consultation documents on a range of issues that impact on mental health services and people with mental health problems, such as:

• NHS reform
• Public mental health
• Changes to the welfare benefits system
• Adult social care reforms
• Dementia standards
• Personalisation
• Patient choice
• Commissioning
• Mental health and mental capacity legislation

We also produce our own policy briefings on key mental health issues for Ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, opinion-formers and members of the public. We work closely with other voluntary sector organisations and professional bodies to maximise the impact of our policy work. 

We are core members of:

• The Future Visions Coalition - advisors to the Government on its new mental health strategy
• The Mental Health Alliance - who monitor the impact of the Mental Health Act 2007
• Th We Need To Talk Coalition - that successfully lobbied for an expansion of psychological therapies
• The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition.