Centre for Mental Health
LightNews LightNews
banner
centreformh.bsky.social
Centre for Mental Health
@centreformh.bsky.social
1.2K followers 370 following 550 posts
Speaking up for social justice in mental health. Find out more https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/
Posts Replies Media Videos
centreformh.bsky.social
🧵 1/4 The UK Government has published its National Cancer Plan. While it sets out actions on research, prevention, screening and treatment, it fails to properly acknowledge the mental health impacts of cancer or the higher risk faced by people with mental illness. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Three-quarters of cancer patients in England will survive by 2035, government pledges
Government to invest £2bn in NHS cancer services in England as figures show diagnosis made every 75 seconds in the UK
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:31 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
Our CEO @andybell-centremh.bsky.social reflects on the recently announced consultation on banning social media for under 16s, & how it can be an opportunity to encourage policies that have the best chance of benefiting children both now and long-term: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/social-media...
Text: Keeping children away from social media might sound like a quick and easy way to turn around the rising tide of mental distress among young people and protect children from a wide range of online harms, but it’s unlikely to be quite so simple.If the online world isn’t safe for children, how are we going to make the real world safer and more welcoming?
February 3, 2026 at 2:19 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
The number of adults seeking support for anxiety is rising. However, less than half of those who access treatment through NHS Talking Therapies reliably recover.

We are proud to be one of 30 organisations supporting UKCP's campaign calling for an urgent update to the NICE anxiety guidelines.
February 2, 2026 at 3:24 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
The CQC annual report on the Mental Health Act paints a picture of services that are struggling to cope with high levels of need with insufficient resources and often inadequate facilities, @andybell-centremh.bsky.social said today. Read in full👇
bit.ly/4qO9DCh
People waiting too long for mental healthcare and becoming more ill while they wait, CQC finds - Centre for Mental Health
Care Quality Commission report finds mental health services are struggling to cope with high levels of need.
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 5:02 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
The mental health system is failing too many children and young people. Too often, they’re left without support until they hit crisis point – with lasting consequences for their futures and public services. It doesn’t have to be this way. bit.ly/49NXK9q
A roadmap to transform children and young people's mental health by 2035.
January 28, 2026 at 9:57 AM
centreformh.bsky.social
Children and young people’s mental health has declined dramatically over the last decade. About one in five children and young people have a mental health problem - meaning serious distress, lost education, and much reduced future prospects. Action is urgently needed to turn the tide.
Icons representing 5 people with one person highlighted. Text: 1 in 5 children and young people has a mental health difficulty (NHS Digital 2023) Icons representing 5 people with one person highlighted and separate from the others. Text: Children from the poorest 20% of households are four times as likely to have serious mental health difficulties by the age of 11 as those from the wealthiest 20%. (Morrison Gutman et al., 2015)
January 26, 2026 at 5:53 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
For many prison leavers, release means anxiety, trauma, homelessness, and deep mistrust of support systems. New research with Experts by Experience shows what's needed: resettlement support built on humanity - not bureaucracy www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/lost-in-my-o... #PrisonReform
Text: Quote by Daniel Rajan Mills. If we want prison leavers to thrive and to build a safer society for everyone, we must build a system rooted in humanity, not bureaucracy. One that sees the person first and walks with them on their journey of change
January 23, 2026 at 2:44 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
"Carrying more than we should: The human story in the latest LGB+ statistics." @davidwoodhead.bsky.social reflects on new figures released by the ONS revealing stark inequalities and how we can prevent this.
Read the blog here: bit.ly/3YOuwRt
Content warning: This post discusses suicidal feelings
Carrying more than we should: The human story in the latest LGB+ statistics - Centre for Mental Health
David looks behind the figures at new data that reveals stark inequalities in causes of death by sexual orientation
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:09 AM
centreformh.bsky.social
Check out this piece in the Sunday Times with @mumsnet.bsky.social exploring the experiences over a decade of families seeking mental health support for their children 👇
www.thetimes.com/article/d787...
Rising child anxiety laid bare in decade of Mumsnet conversations
Analysis of hundreds of thousands of posts shows parents struggling to deal with overwhelmed and phone-addicted children
www.thetimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:46 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
We're disappointed by plans announced by the Department of Work and Pensions on Friday to remove benefit entitlements of people detained in hospital under criminal justice sections of the Mental Health Act.
January 19, 2026 at 11:49 AM
centreformh.bsky.social
What barriers do young people face in participating in employment, education or training? And what would help overcome them? The Milburn investigation is seeking evidence and insight from anyone with relevant lived experience, knowledge and expertise. Deadline is 30 Jan www.gov.uk/government/c...
Text: The Government's investigation into economic activity and health among young people is a welcome recognition of the importance of understanding young people's experiences and transitions from education to working life. There is compelling evidence of a significant decline in young people's mental health in the UK over the last decade. Understanding what's driving this decline is key to knowing how to reverse it
January 15, 2026 at 4:33 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
A @theguardian.com investigation has found that total spending on NHS England ADHD services is expected to be more than double existing budgets, and the amount spent on private ADHD services has more than tripled over three years Read the article👇 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
NHS ADHD spending over budget by £164m as unregulated clinics boom
Exclusive: Total spending in England expected to double existing budgets, with funding for private providers rising threefold
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:33 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
"Flood survivors describe sleepless nights, hypervigilance during rain and children struggling at school. The psychological scars persist long after the water recedes." Mhairi Sharp, CEO at NET in @theguardian.com, in report on the mental health impacts of increasing UK flood risks.👇 bit.ly/49zIDPg
‘Fear of the next deluge’: flood-scarred Britons join forces to demand help
As climate breakdown puts millions more people at flood risk, traumatised homeowners are finding common voice
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:11 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
Research published in the latest The Lancet Psychiatry journal shows that internationally, people with a severe mental illness are less likely than the wider population to get effective monitoring or treatment for diabetes. This is unjust and unjustifiable. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 9, 2026 at 12:28 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
In our latest blog, @andybell-centremh.bsky.social takes a look at the Government's record so far on mental health, and how we can work together to create better mental health in the year ahead. 👇
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/the-year-ahe...
Quote from Andy Bell: “For mental health services in England, and those who use or work in them, the future still looks uncertain... This could be a year of significant progress.
January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
As the new year gets under way, we’re having a look back at the impact our work had in 2025. Explore the numbers and how we've been driving change in policy and practice 👇
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/about-us/our...
Our impact - Centre for Mental Health
We're working to build a mentally healthier future for all. Here's a snapshot of our impact in 2025.
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 5:31 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
For many people, this time of year can be a struggle. If you need support, please check out these organisations. Or find a full list of helplines on our website at www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/helplines-an...
Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Children and young people's mental health helplines. Papyrus helpline for under 35s: 0800 068 4141. Open 24/7. Childline contact number: 0800 1111. Open 24/7. (Calls may be limited to 15 mins midnight - 7:30am). Shout text service: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7. Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Adults' mental health helplines. Samaritans contact number: 116 123. Open 24/7. NHS non-emergency number: 111. Open 24/7. CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58. Open 5pm - midnight daily. Shout: text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7. SANE helpline: 0300 304 7000. Open 4pm-10pm daily
December 31, 2025 at 5:53 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
This can be a difficult time of year many people. If you're struggling with your mental health and need some support, please check out these organisations, or find a full list of helplines here: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/helplines-an...
Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Adults' mental health helplines. Samaritans contact number: 116 123. Open 24/7. NHS non-emergency number: 111. Open 24/7. CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58. Open 5pm - midnight daily. Shout: text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7. SANE helpline: 0300 304 7000. Open 4pm-10pm daily Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Children and young people's mental health helplines. Papyrus helpline for under 35s: 0800 068 4141. Open 24/7. Childline contact number: 0800 1111. Open 24/7. (Calls may be limited to 15 mins midnight - 7:30am). Shout text service: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7.
December 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
centreformh.bsky.social
Our team will be taking a break over the holidays. You might see some scheduled content, but our account will not be monitored. If you're struggling at this time, these organisations can offer support. Or find a full list of helplines on our website: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/helplines-an...
Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Children and young people's mental health helplines. Papyrus helpline for under 35s: 0800 068 4141. Open 24/7. Childline contact number: 0800 1111. Open 24/7. (Calls may be limited to 15 mins midnight - 7:30am). Shout text service: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7. Text: Need to speak to someone over the holidays? These helplines are available to contact. Adults' mental health helplines. Samaritans contact number: 116 123. Open 24/7. NHS non-emergency number: 111. Open 24/7. CALM helpline: 0800 58 58 58. Open 5pm - midnight daily. Shout: text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. Open 24/7. SANE helpline: 0300 304 7000. Open 4pm-10pm daily
December 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. Our work is making an impact, but we need your support. Please donate today to help us fight for better mental health for all www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/support-us/d...
Our impact in 2025. We published 16 reports and briefings on a huge range of topics including crisis and acute care, physical activity and severe mental illness, substance use, and barriers and facilitators to voting. We trained 908 people in Individual Placement and Support (IPS) to help people with mental health problems into paid work. We hosted 21 events welcoming 1,079 attendees to explore topics including children and young people’s mental health and severe mental illness. Through our Councils network, we equipped 420 people to support better mental health in their communities. We shared 44 blogs, embedding lived experience within our work and influencing policy.
December 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
The Mental Health Act has just received Royal Assent. @andybell-centremh.bsky.social says "For too long, the law has lagged behind our understanding of what people need to protect their rights and dignity. It's vital that the new Act is implemented swiftly and equitably. 👇
shorturl.at/GORf3
Text: The job of changing the Act is not done. It’s barely started. But with an updated legal framework in place, it’s time to make it work.
December 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
The UK Benchmarking Network provides a UK wide snapshot of mental health services across all four nations, spanning community and inpatient care for children, adults, and older people. @andybell-centremh.bsky.social dives into the latest data 👇
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/mental-healt...
Mental health services in the UK in 2025: what the latest NHS Benchmarking survey tells us - Centre for Mental Health
Andy Bell dives into the latest data on mental health services across the UK, gathered by NHS Benchmarking Network.
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:09 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
"Let’s drop the minimising headlines and build services, and a public conversation, that match the evidence and the lived reality." Our latest blog from @lisamcnally.bsky.social discusses the dangers of framing mental distress as mere “stress” 👇
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/life-being-s...
Quote from Lisa McNally: "When serious distress is dismissed, people stay ill longer, relationships strain, productivity falls, and the costs of crisis care and lost participation mount... Pretending the rise [in mental health problems] is merely “over diagnosis” won’t make the problem go away; it will entrench it.”
December 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM
centreformh.bsky.social
Today saw the launch of Youth Matters, the first national youth strategy in almost two decades, a ten year commitment to improving outcomes for young people. Find out more about what this means for mental health in our latest blog from our Associate Director of Policy Kadra Abdinasir bit.ly/492hq8N
Youth Matters: A new national strategy and a critical moment for young people’s mental health - Centre for Mental Health
Kadra examines the details of the new national youth strategy for England, launched today.
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
centreformh.bsky.social
Traumatic experiences are the norm among people in prison. Our new report Dealt an ACE evaluates the impact of Pact’s (the Prison Advice and Care Trust) project which supported young men in prison who have experienced childhood trauma.
Text graphic which reads: Up to 90% of young people who have offended have experienced highly stressful, and potentially traumatic, events during childhood. Young people in custody are significantly more likely than their peers to have experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Below the words is a line of 10 simple illustrations of people - 9 in green and one in white, representing the 90% of young people in prison affected by ACEs.
December 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM