In a recent statement from Gillian Keegan, Minister of State for Care and Mental Health, the Minister outlined her commitment to work with the sector over the coming year to review the 2012 Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. An additional £1.5 million is being made available to top-up the existing £4 million grant fund, to help support the suicide prevention voluntary and community sector to meet the needs of people at risk of suicide, or in crisis.

The general public, people of all ages with lived experience of mental health conditions and those who support people with mental ill-health are urged to respond to a 12-week call for evidence to inform a new 10-year mental health plan and a refreshed national suicide prevention plan seeking views on what can be improved within the current service, particularly in light of the pandemic which has led to record levels of people seeking treatment.

It is actively seeking views on several key questions which will be addressed in the plan including: How can we all promote positive mental wellbeing? How can we all prevent the onset of mental ill-health? How can we all intervene earlier when people need support with their mental health? How can we improve the quality and effectiveness of treatment for mental health conditions? How can we all support people living with mental health conditions to live well? How can we all improve support for people in crisis?

You have until 5 July to submit your response. You can find out more here www.gilliankeegan.com/news/call-evidence-new-10-year-plan-improve-mental-health