leaves image from cover of reportOur four principles for mental health policy are:

  1. Mental health and well-being is everybody’s business. It affects every family in Britain and it can only be improved if coordinated, assertive action is taken across Whitehall and at all levels of government.
  2. Good mental health holds the key to a better quality of life in Britain. We need to promote positive mental health, prevent mental ill health and intervene early when people become unwell.
  3. People should get as much support to gain a good quality of life and fulfil their potential from mental health services as they expect to receive from physical healthcare services. Mental health care should offer hope and support for people to recover and live their lives on their own terms.
  4. We need a new relationship between mental health services and those who use them. Service users, carers and communities should be offered an active role in shaping the support available to them.

With these principles at the heart of policy, we believe we can create a society in which good mental health is nurtured and in which mental ill health is managed well. As a consequence, our mental well-being will be a core concern of government. Effective action to promote good mental health will be taken among people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. People who experience mental distress will receive timely support to live well and have a fair and equal chance to fulfil their potential.

Read the full report

Download a Future Vision for Mental Health (2,488 KB)

You can also read the press release.