What will today’s Comprehensive Spending Review mean for mental health?

Mind comments on what the Comprehensive Spending Review means for those with mental health problems in terms of talking therapies, A&E, welfare; and health and social care.

Mind’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Vicki Nash, said:
"We are pleased that the Government has announced further investment in improving access to psychological therapies. In some parts of the country people are still struggling to gain access to talking treatments when they desperately need them so this should help towards meeting demand.

We also welcome the news that every accident and emergency department will have constant access to mental health professionals. Through Mind’s Crisis Care campaign we know that this will be particularly beneficial to people who may be experiencing mental distress as A&E can often be their first port of call.

However it’s a mixed picture on social care. It’s unclear whether the £3.8 billion committed to NHS and councils is additional investment or if it is being taken from the existing health budget which may mean cuts being made elsewhere. We are also disappointed that many vulnerable people will continue to be denied access to social care due to the high national eligibility threshold.

The proposed cap on welfare expenditure will also be a cause for concern. We urge the Government to remain focused on tackling the barriers people with mental health problems face to working and living independently."

Find out more about our campaigns