New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health, Strategy launched

A new era for mental health

The Government launched the New Horizons strategy with its shared vision for mental health, together with the publications on employment and mental health in unison with key stakeholders on 7 December 2009 marking the end of the national service framework (NSF) for mental health, widely acknowledged as the catalyst for a transformation in mental health care. Produced by the Department of Health, it has the backing of 11 government departments. A united and ambitious vision New Horizons heralds a dynamic new approach to whole-population mental health and supports continued transformation of specialist services. It aims to address the inequalities that different groups in society experience, both in accessing services and in levels of mental health. It sets out the national direction of travel from 2010 and brings together agreed principles and priorities under one banner, aligning them with the NHS Next Stage Review (Darzi) and other Government policies such as Putting People First.

New Horizons is an immensely important step forward that recognises the need to address the mental well-being of the whole population, as well as ensure the continued improvement of service delivery and support for recovery for those with mental health problems. For mental health policy and practice what is also encouraging is the emphasis on cross-government action, in recognition that the responsibility for mental health and well-being goes far wider than the NHS and social care. New Horizons has received support from across the mental health community, including leaders in the NHS, local authorities and the third sector.

Improved health and well-being

There is growing evidence that early intervention, prevention, and the promotion of better mental health and well-being across the entire population is vital for a healthy society. A key part of New Horizons is a new framework for developing well-being that will address the broader determinants of poor mental health and identify evidence-based ways to deal with them. Better care When any one of us experiences mental health problems, the services we access should be high quality, responsive and personalised. They need to be focused not only on treatment outcomes, but on wider quality of life issues, strengthened by efforts to promote social inclusion and tackle stigma and discrimination of every kind.

Counting the cost

New Horizons is based on hard evidence that poor mental health is a national concern of real economic significance. Around one in four people experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and, as well as the personal cost to relationships, jobs and physical health, the cost to society is rising. Mental health problems are already estimated to cost the nation £77bn a year. Getting mental health right benefits society both financially and socially.

An integrated approach

New Horizons is taking a broad, inclusive approach, building on vigorous and collaborative efforts from across the mental health sector, spearheaded by the Future Vision coalition of key stakeholders. It draws also on other relevant studies such as the Foresight report, aiming to achieve better awareness and commitment across Government departments, local authorities, private and voluntary sectors, employers, education and other agencies.

Shared views for a shared vision

The engagement process that began in 2007 including consultations that involved diverse stakeholders and people with experience of poor mental health, as well as carers, clinicians and commissioners culminated in the formal announcement of the new strategy today.

New Horizons – dawn of a new era for mental health policy and practice

New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health, can be downloaded here. The cross-government mental health strategy that replaces the 10-year National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health, sets out the twin aims of both improving quality of life and well-being across the whole population, and improving the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health. It also takes a lifespan approach, and the impacts of wider social and environmental issues such as positive parenting, stigma, employment, housing, income and social inequalities.