Location: United Kingdom
During this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation welcomed partners, young people and policymakers to our London office for a special event focused on action for good mental health.
The event brought together people from across the mental health sector, creating a shared space to discuss our common goal: improving mental health. At a time when challenges can feel complex and deeply rooted, it was a powerful reminder that progress happens when we work together.
A shared moment of progress
We were honoured to be joined by the Minister for Mental Health, Baroness Gillian Merron, who shared important and exciting news: the UK Government will develop a new mental health strategy for England, with a focus on prevention and a cross-government approach.
This is something the Mental Health Foundation has been calling for over several years. Hearing this commitment during Mental Health Awareness Week made the moment especially meaningful.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said, “It was fantastic to bring people together at our London office during Mental Health Awareness Week, with a shared commitment to improving mental health. Real change depends on collaboration, and moments like this help build on the momentum we need to take action.
“The minister’s announcement signals a big moment for England’s mental health. For many years, we’ve been calling for a radical shift towards a cross-government approach with a focus on prevention, and we look forward to contributing to the plan’s success.
“Our nation’s mental health has gone downhill over recent decades due to things like the Covid-19 pandemic and the legacy of austerity. But change is possible, and we are pleased that the government is taking action.
“We will be advocating for the plan to be ambitious, evidence-led and with a real focus on those communities most at risk of poor mental health; and to address the social and economic factors that shape all our mental health.”
Listening to young people
A vital part of the event was making sure young people’s voices were heard.
The Minister spent time with some of our MHF Young Leaders, FlippGen and Student Minds, listening to their experiences and ideas for change. Paddy Crump from FlippGen and Tia Hack from Leaders Unlocked also spoke, sharing thoughtful reflections on the importance of involving young people meaningfully in decisions that affect their mental health, the need for a focus on preventing people from becoming unwell in the first place, and why we need to tackle inequalities in mental health.
We hope that the diversity of voices in the room acted as a reminder that any long-term change must be shaped with the people it impacts most.
Looking ahead, together
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme was Action and that spirit ran through every conversation at the event. There is real opportunity ahead, but it will take continued collaboration, determination and care to turn commitment into lasting change.
The government has opened its call for evidence on the new strategy and we’d encourage everyone to get involved. It’s important that the government hears from a diversity of voices, to give them the best possible chance of coming up with a strategy that works for all of our society.
Help make change happen
A new mental health strategy for England is a big step forward, but we need more action on mental health. Ask your MP what action they're taking to protect our mental health.
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