Mental Health Taskforce recommends greater access to interventions for physical activity

Chaired by Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, the Taskforce was established by the NHS to build consensus on how to improve services for people of all ages.

The Taskforce assessed the state of current mental health care across the NHS, highlighting that one in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime and the cost of mental ill health to the economy, NHS and society is £105bn a year.

It proposes a three-pronged approach to improving care through prevention, the expansion of mental health care such as seven day access in a crisis, and integrated physical and mental health care. The Report sets out over 20 recommendations including:

Public Health England should prioritise ensuring that people with mental health problems who are at greater risk of poor physical health get access to prevention and screening programmes. This includes primary and secondary prevention through screening and NHS Health Checks, as well as interventions for physical activity, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and access to ‘stop smoking’ services. As part of this, NHS England and PHE should support all mental health inpatient units and facilities (for adults, children and young people) to be smoke-free by 2018.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance, in partnership with Mind and the Professional Players Federation, is working with the sector to promote positive mental health through the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. The Charter has over 220 signatories committed to creating a culture change around mental health. Find out more and how to sign-up here.

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