Our policy work

Mental Health Act Review

We know how important it is that everyone with a mental health problem is treated with dignity and respect, even when they are at their most unwell. That's why we welcomed the review of the Mental Health Act when it was announced. We will be represented on the advisory panel for the review and will be listening to your experiences.

Access to talking therapies

Many of you tell us you find talking therapies such as counselling and psychotherapy really helpful. But there are still far too many of you who are not getting the treatment you need, when you need it.

Benefits

Support from benefits can give people help to live with independence and dignity. However, many of you have told us that you aren’t getting the support you need, and that negative stereotypes of people on benefits means you aren’t being treated fairly or with respect.

Crisis care

When people’s lives come crashing down in a mental health crisis, they need help. Urgently. Too many of us are not getting the help and support we need. Excellent crisis care exists. It can save lives. And that’s why we need it available for everyone.

Legal aid

Government changes to legal aid in 2012 have disproportionately impacted people with mental health problems. Find out what we're doing about it, and read our new research.

Our work in Parliament

MPs are there to represent your views. We try to help them understand what it’s like to live with a mental health problem, and how they can help make sure everyone who does is treated fairly, positively and with respect.

Equality & Human Rights

Equality and Human Rights are at the heart of all we do. We work to tackle the stigma and discrimination too often faced by people with mental health problems, and to make sure everyone has equal access to good mental health support.

Legal casework

Our legal team supports our policy and campaigns work, works with mental health lawyers and does some casework.

Public health

Public health teams in local councils are responsible for leading initiatives that promote good physical and mental health. Unfortunately, we know that compared to physical health, they aren't investing anywhere near enough in mental health. Find out about what we're doing to make a difference.

Reports and guides

Read our reports on a range of mental health issues, from crisis care to sport, and prevention to work and benefits.

Sport, physical activity and mental health

With support from Sport England and the National Lottery, Get Set to Go has been helping people with mental health problems get active. Since 2015, Get Set to Go has seen 3,585 people with mental health problems take part in specially designed physical activity projects.

Victims of crime

If you’re living with a mental health problem and become the victim of a crime, will you get the support you need?

Side by Side

Our Big Lottery-supported Side by Side programme delivered peer support to over 11,000 people, both face to face and online, and promoted peer support to nearly 74,000 people.