£2billion pledge for mental health

PHILIP Hammond promised to end the stigma of mental health that forces ‘too many to suffer in silence’.

He confirmed an extra £2billion a year for specialist mental health support services in A&E units, schools and the NHS 111 helpline, as reported in yesterday’s Mail.

It will also fund a fleet of mental health ambulances equipped to assist patients with depression or suicidal thoughts.

This autumn, the NHS will publish a ten-year plan setting out how this money will be spent and efforts to avoid waste.

Mr Hammond said the funding boost would provide ‘comprehensive mental health support’ all over the country.

He added: ‘There are many pressing demands on additional NHS funding, but few more pressing than the needs of those who suffer from mental illness.

‘I can announce that the ten-year plan will include a new mental health crisis service with comprehensive mental health support available in every major A&E, chil- dren and young people’s crisis teams in every part of the country, more mental health ambulances, more safe havens in the community, and a 24-hour mental health crisis hotline.

‘These new services will ensure that people suffering from a crisis, young or old, can get the help they need, ending the stigma which has forced too many to suffer in silence and ending too the tragedy of too many lives lost to suicide.’

He also reiterated a Government vow to pump an extra £20.5billion in the NHS every year from 2023.

John Appleby, of the Nuffield Trust think-tank, said: ‘After a financial squeeze of many years, much of this new money will be needed just to get the basics back on track.’

Sean Duggan, of the Mental Health Network representing mental health service providers, said: ‘It is positive to see specialist crisis teams for younger people will be set up... as we know how important it is to address mental illness early.’