New Horizons is a new strategy that will promote good mental health and well-being, whilst improving services for people who have mental health problems. It will build on the National Service Framework for mental health which comes to an end in 2009.
New Horizons recognises that:
- Around one in four people will suffer from a form of mental illness at some point in their lives
- One sixth of the population suffers from a common mental health problem at any time
- 1 in 100 people suffers from a serious mental illness such as psychosis
- More than 1.3 million older people suffer from depression or other mental illness
- 6 million people in Britain have depression and/or anxiety disorders – few get effective treatment
- One in ten mothers suffers from post-natal depression
A series of ‘listening events’ starts this month and they will seek views on what the new strategy should cover. Events include:
- April 22 – London
- April 29 – Yorkshire
- April 30 – South Central
- May 12 – West Midlands
- May 15 – East of England (tbc)
- May 22 – East Midlands
- June 2 – South East Coast (tbc)
- June 10 – South West
To contribute comments or suggestions for the New Horizons programme, or to be kept up to date on developments, please email: newhorizons@dh.gsi.gov.uk