In the ten years since the seminal Marmot Review, health inequalities have widened and improvements to life expectancy have not only stalled, but declined for the poorest in society. These inequalities have been brought into sharp focus during COVID-19 with BAME communities and deprived groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. With the NHS acknowledging that “COVID-19 has shone harsh light on some of the health and wider inequalities that persist in our society”, Policy Foresight is holding a series of timely live webinars to examine the COVID-19 response and recovery.

One in four adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem every year, and the life expectancy of people with severe mental illnesses can be up to 20 years below the average. Across the UK, those in the poorest 20% in society are twice as likely to be at risk of developing mental health problems and emerging evidence is pointing to a widening of pre-existing inequalities in mental health as a result of COVID-19.

The current crisis has created a ‘tsunami of anxiety’ and according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, the depression rate among adults has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic. Therefore, it is more crucial than ever for local partners to work together to expand mental health services in every community to ensure that every person is able to access the support they need.

This timely Policy Foresight live webinar provides an important platform for key partners from the NHS, clinical commissioning boards, mental health providers, public health, local authorities, third sector and other statutory agencies to explore how to enhance partnership working, drive local improvements in mental health services and explore innovative solutions that ensure those services are able to match the increased need for support in every community.

Key Discussion Themes:

• Exploring the national picture and progress made since the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health
• Addressing the rising prevalence of mental ill-health post-COVID
• Raising awareness, promoting and facilitating mental wellbeing through the Better Health: Every Mind Matters programme
• Tackling health inequalities in mental health: Delivering effective services for harder to reach groups including LGBTQ+, minority / BAME, asylum seekers / refugees, disabled people and those from deprived areas
• Tracking and responding to the longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19
• Ensuring everyone has access to the support they need: expanding Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
• Ending the cliff edge – Improving the transition from CAMHS to Adult Mental Health Services and providing a comprehensive offer from 0-25
• Improving mental health support for university students through the pandemic and beyond
• Utilising collaboration: Integrated Care Systems (ICS) to better understand, commission and respond to local mental health need
• Enhancing joined-up working between NHS, clinical commissioning boards, mental health providers, public health, local authorities, police, community organisations and the voluntary sector to improve AMHS services in every area
• Explore best practice and innovative solutions that drive improvements in mental health

Resource - February 2020: Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On

Research - 8th September 2020: COVID-19: Mental Health and Wellbeing Surveillance Report

Latest News - 9th September 2020: Public Health England Launches New Every Mind Matters Campaign

DHSC Policy Paper - 23rd November 2020: Staying Mentally Well This Winter

Latest News - 13th January 2021: Open Consultation: Reforming the Mental Health Act

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