Health Secretary Alan Johnson today welcomed publication of a landmark international report, which highlights that mental health services in England are leading the way in Europe.
The report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), published to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, shows that:
- England directs 13.8 per cent of its health budget towards mental health – the highest level in Europe among those who submitted figures
- we provide high levels of access to mental health care, with 12.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, compared to the European average of 8.9
- access to mental health nursing care is also higher than average, with 51.9 nurses per 100,000, compared with the European average of 18.7
- England is the only country to provide a comprehensive network of specialist early intervention teams
- England is one of only three countries to provide comprehensive access to assertive outreach teams
- England has 23 mental health beds per 100,000, reflecting continued focus on moving mental health treatment out of institutions and into the community.
The Government is committed to continued improvement of mental health services. Spending on adult services has increased by £1.7billion since 20001-02, which has led to radical improvements. We now have over 60 per cent more consultant psychiatrists, almost 80 per cent more clinical psychologists and at least 20 per cent more mental health nurses than we had in 1997, providing better care and support for people with mental health problems.
An update of the National Service Framework on mental health is expected late 2009.
WHO Report: Policies and Practices for mental health in Europe (Opens New Window)