Our policy and advocacy work calls on national and local government to reduce the factors known to pose a risk to people’s mental health, enhance those known to protect it and create the conditions needed for people to thrive.
We advocate for a preventative approach to mental health problems, so our policy development takes a cross-government approach, targeting the root causes of mental ill-health. Our Policy and Public Affairs team works closely with our Research and Programmes teams, taking what we learn from these areas.
If you want to learn more about our policy and advocacy work or are interested in working with us, you can policy@mentalhealth.org.uk .
Policy calls for the government
The government has an opportunity to create the conditions for everyone to experience good mental health across the UK. This page sets out what needs to be done to improve the mental health of the UK population.
Read our policy calls
Our policy perspectives
These short policy summaries are part of a series setting out the major changes that are needed to improve mental health. It draws upon Mental Health Foundation research and analysis which can be found in the 'further reading' sections of each policy perspective.
Trauma-informed practice: our policy perspective
Putting prevention first: our policy perspective
Nature and mental health: our policy perspective
Climate change and mental health: our policy perspective
The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees: our policy perspective
Body image and mental health: our policy perspective
Online communities, online safety & young people: our policy perspective
Poverty of Ambition: Why we need bold action to tackle poverty
This briefing, producing with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, provides evidence on the relationship between poverty and mental health, and how our mental health is shaped by the environments in which we live.
Read the briefing
Featured reports
The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK
Uncertain times: Anxiety in the UK and how to tackle it
Mental health and the cost-of-living crisis report: another pandemic in the making?
The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK
Planning for Prevention: Unlocking the potential of Integrated Care Systems to create a mentally healthy society
Read our report examining the extent of the commitment to public mental health activity in the 42 Integrated Care Systems across England.
Read the report
