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Mental health improvement programmes underinvest in prevention and early intervention, risking long-term sustainability.

Conclusion
The improvement programme led by NHSE focuses on the expansion of treatment for people who have already developed mental ill health, with limited investment in areas relating to prevention and early intervention such as mental health support teams in schools.48 Stakeholders highlighted to us the importance of wider social and economic factors such as housing and employment on good mental health. They felt that the current service model is not sustainable without prioritising public health approaches; including preventive measures to stop people from developing mental illness in the first place or early interventions to reduce the need for more intensive treatments.49
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 24 September 2023. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 3.1 yrs
Report published 21 Jul 2023