Our response to Mel Stride's latest proposals

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April 2024

Dear friend,

We are sure you share our dismay ([link removed]) at the sounds coming from Westminster today, threatening to restrict access to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Reducing entitlement to essential financial support will put people living with mental ill health at risk and do nothing to boost economic activity. We will be making the case to government about the dangers of their proposals. We’ve shared our concerns about the recent uptick in harmful rhetoric on mental health in a recent blog ([link removed]) and podcast episode ([link removed]) .

In other news, last week we released a new report ([link removed]) alongside the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition exploring what’s driving the rise in school absence. Our research shows that school absence rates have risen in tandem with mental health problems and rising waiting times for support for children and young people.

We believe a new approach to school absenteeism is needed: one that addresses the mental health and other barriers preventing children from attending school, and makes sure that children get the support they need both inside and outside the school gates.

Zainab Shafan-Azhar
Policy & Public Affairs Assistant
Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
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Not in school

Rates of school absence have risen significantly since the pandemic. This briefing finds that this rise is being fuelled by escalating rates of mental health problems among children and young people, long waits for support, and higher levels of child poverty.

The Government’s approach to improving attendance should address the wider barriers, make increasing access to mental health support a priority, and reduce the use of sanctions.
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Check out this video for a simple explainer of what’s driving the rise in school absences
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Building a mental health workforce for the future

Expanding the mental health workforce is one of the major challenges the NHS faces today. But we don’t just need a bigger workforce. We need one that is primed and ready to meet future needs.

This briefing sets out how we can grow and diversify the workforce and ensure that high-quality mental health support is available to all who need it in the years to come.
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Has mental health culture gone too far? Thea Joshi welcomes Andy Bell to unpack recent harmful comments from government ministers and explore what's driving the backlash against mental health awareness.

Listen on Spotify ([link removed]) , Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) or Soundcloud ([link removed]) . A full transcript ([link removed]) can be found on our website.
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Claims of ‘sick note culture’ distract from the real causes of mental ill health ([link removed])

by Ed Davie
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What does new NHS Planning Guidance mean for mental health services? ([link removed])

by Andy Bell
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* Proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment would harm people with mental health difficulties ([link removed])
* Poor mental health and long waits for support are fuelling school absence, say charities ([link removed])
* Government must follow evidence on mental ill health and work ([link removed])
* Concerted action needed to build a more diverse mental health workforce for the future ([link removed])

If you’ve enjoyed reading this newsletter, please consider making a donation towards our work. We can’t continue the fight for equality in mental health without your support.
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Copyright (C) 2024 Centre for Mental Health. All rights reserved.
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