A series of New Horizons ‘listening events’ starts this month hosted by Phil Hope and Louis Appleby, National Director for Mental Health. They will seek views on what the new Strategy should cover from a wide range of people. The Strategy is expected later this year.

New Horizons recognises that:

• Around one in four people will suffer from a form of mental illness at some point in their lives.
• One sixth of the population suffers from a common mental health problem at any time.
• 1 in 100 people suffers from a serious mental illness such as psychosis.
• More than 1.3 million older people suffer from depression or other mental illness.
• 6 million people in Britain have depression and/or anxiety disorders – few get effective treatment.
• One in ten mothers suffers from post-natal depression.

New Horizons heralds a dynamic new approach to whole population mental health. The focus on prevention and maintaining good mental health is particularly relevant today with people leading more hectic lifestyles and going through the economic downturn.

Phil Hope said:

“Mental illness affects us all. Whether it is ourselves, a family member or a friend, lots of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives.

“Over the past ten years we’ve made great strides in transforming the way mental health is dealt with. But we need to do more. I’m particularly interested in looking at how we can help people to look after their mental health and prevent them from becoming ill. And I’m keen to tackle the stigma that’s associated with it – this isn’t something we can shy away from, mental ill health is as serious as physical illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

“Individuals, employers and all sorts of organisations have a role to play in helping to achieve good mental health for all. So, we’re going around the country to hear people’s views and hope to publish our new vision later this year. My ambition is to create a strategy that will improve services and promote public mental health and wellbeing for years to come.”

Simon Lawton-Smith, Head of Policy at the Mental Health Foundation, said:

“We strongly support this new focus on whole population mental health. Mental ill health is one of the biggest challenges currently facing the UK. Good mental health should be an achievable goal for everyone and mental health promotion needs to take its rightful place at the centre of public health efforts.

“A strategy that encourages people to protect themselves against mental illnesses like depression and anxiety will be of immense benefit. Mental ill health not only causes untold personal suffering and distress, but also affects people’s relationships, ability to work, family life. It can lead to a range of physical health problems.

“Both the consultation and the final strategy must address the needs of those who experience disproportionately high levels of mental ill health including older people, those living in poverty and people from black and minority ethnic communities.”

Many services are already in place, which aren’t normally considered as mental health services, but which could help promote public mental health and wellbeing and prevent future problems. It is these types of services that New Horizons could help promote. Examples include:

• Mother and toddler groups
• School health initiatives that promote self-respect or better relationships.
• Older people’s lunch clubs
• Community arts projects – there is evidence that improving the built environment is good for mental health and well-being.
• Reading initiatives which improve literacy, social skills and self-esteem. An example is the “Get into reading” project in the Northwest.
• Inner-city sports projects which promote team work, self-respect and physical health.

Notes to Editors

New Horizons ‘Listening Events’ are currently planned as below. Formal consultation on New Horizons is also planned, following these events.

• April 22 – London
• April 29 – Yorkshire
• April 30 – South Central
• May 12 – West Midlands
• May 15 – East of England (tbc)
• May 22 – East Midlands
• June 2 – South East Coast (tbc)
• June 10 – South West

To contribute comments or suggestions for the New Horizons programme, or to be kept up to date on developments, please email: newhorizons@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Over the past ten years, the Government has put in place measures to protect people’s mental health. Measures include:

• More money: Since 2001-02, real terms investment in adult mental health services increased by 44 per cent (or £1.7 billion) putting in place the services and staff needed to transform mental health services. The NHS spent £5.53 billion on these services in 2007-08 (£3.844 billion in 2001-02).
• More patients helped: In the year 2007/08, crisis resolution teams provided over 106,000 episodes of home treatment for patients who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital.
• Improved safety: In 2006/7, the Government made available £130 million capital for improvements in the environment, including safety, on psychiatric intensive care units and adult acute mental health wards. This included £30 million targeted at acute wards for improvements in safety particularly for women service users. Allocation of this money has been phased over 2006/07-08/09.
• More staff: There are now 64 per cent more consultant psychiatrists, 71 per cent more clinical psychologists and 21 per cent more mental health nurses than in 1997, providing better care and support for people with mental health problems.
• More services: Because of the National Service Framework and increased funding, there are now more than 740 new community mental health teams offering home treatment, early intervention, or intensive support for people who might otherwise have been admitted to hospital.
• The suicide rate: The latest available data for the three year period 2005/6/7 show a rate of 7.9 deaths per 100,000 population – a reduction of 10 per cent from the 1995/6/7 baseline, which is now at an all time low.