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Programme launched to improve mental health care and well-being

A cross-Government programme of action has been launched to improve the mental well-being of people in England and drive up the quality of mental health care.

New Horizons: a shared vision for mental health is a comprehensive initiative that will be delivered by ten national Government departments.

It also brings together an alliance of local government, the voluntary sector and professionals, as well as local communities and individuals to work towards a society that values mental well-being as much as physical health.

New Horizons covers a lifetime - from laying down the foundations of good mental health in childhood, through to maintaining mental well-being into older age. It also emphasises the importance of prevention through to effective treatment and recovery.

New Horizons also outlines the benefits of reducing the burden of mental illness and unlocking the benefits of well-being in terms of physical health, educational attainment, employment and reduced crime.

The document has been launched alongside plans to support people with mental health problems back into employment.

Work, Recovery and Inclusion: is a cross-government delivery plan for England to support people in contact with secondary mental health services into work. It forms part of the Government response to the Perkins Review, an independent review of how we can strengthen employment, health and wider state support to help people with mental conditions on out of work benefits..

Working our way to better mental health: is a cross government framework designed to improve well-being at work for everyone, and deliver significantly better employment results for people with mental health conditions, supporting them into work, helping them to stay in work and assisting them to return to work more quickly after sickness absences.

To find out more, visit:

• New Horizons (opens new window)

Information sharing and mental health

This guidance sets out some of the issues relating to the exchange of information between mental health trusts and outside organisations and individuals. It sets out when, why and how information can safely be exchanged for the benefit of the individual and the public.

• Information sharing and mental health

Improving access to child and adolescent mental health services

This joint DH/DCSF guide states how the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard, (NHS Operating Framework for 2009/10) applies to non-emergency consultant-led CAMHS services and pathways. This guide does not set any new standards or targets. It shows how accessible low-wait CAMHS can be achieved and provides good practice examples.

• Reducing waiting times policy and practice guide (including guidance on the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard)

All recent updates

• What's new in mental health