Mental health social care is not merely an adjunct to health services. It is a distinct and foundational part of how society supports people living with mental illness, deep distress or complex psychosocial needs. It seeks to enable people to live full and meaningful lives in their communities, not

The Government’s call for evidence on the new Mental Health Strategy for England is looking for practical examples of what helps people stay well, access support earlier, avoid crisis, and live well in their communities. Mental health charities are uniquely placed to provide this evidence. Across th

Early learnings from the VCFSE Sector, to inform the development of Neighbourhood Health The NHS 10-Year Plan, Fit for the Future, sets out three priority strategic shifts for health and care in England: towards neighbourhood-based care, prevention, and digitisation. The Neighbourhood Mental Health

The current commissioning climate isn’t working. We need a step change towards more equitable, mutually beneficial working practices between commissioners and Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) mental health service providers. Where commissioners and providers can work togethe

In February 2026, the Health and Social Care and Education Committees launched an inquiry into children and young people’s mental health, exploring the mental health support available to children and young people in community, health and education settings. As the national voice of over 300 mental h

The Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) is one of the most significant reforms to adult social care in a generation. The Association of Mental Health Providers strongly supports its ambition to improve pay, workforce retention and long-term stability across the sector. However, in our response to the consultat

Ahead of the parliamentary debate taking place on World Mental Health Day, 10 October at 1:30pm, we have published a new briefing with key recommendations for MPs. We are urging MPs to prioritise the nation’s mental health and the critical role of the VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterpris

People from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities living with poor mental health and/or illness encounter barriers in accessing personalised mental health care, including Personal Health Budgets (PHBs), which are crucial for their safety and recovery. The Tackling Inequalities in Mental Heal

In recent years, the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising operational costs has significantly impacted mental health charities, leading to a sharp increase in demand for their services while simultaneously causing a decline in overall income. This briefing paper explores the current state

Over the past decade, austerity measures have inflicted profound economic hardship on communities and individuals, exacerbating systemic inequalities and leading to the closure of crucial support services in health, education, and community engagement. This has triggered a sharp rise in poverty and

The pandemic and cost of living crisis have led to a rapid increase in the prevalence of mental health needs and demand for mental health services across society. Recent figures estimate that 1 in 6 adults experience a common mental health disorder, like anxiety or depression, in any given week. We

Commissioning within the public sector is changing, especially in the context of Integrated Health and Care. Place-based commissioning is effective for ensuring more effective outcomes for people on a more localised basis, but it should be recognised that commissioning approaches vary across the cou