On 5 July 2018, the National Health Service turns 70. Since 1948, the service has sought to supply care which is free at the point of delivery, based on need rather than whether people could afford to pay. This was in many ways a dramatic departure from previous models. But what of the role of mental health care within this vision?
Society’s perception of mental health, and how to care for people in distress, have in many ways been transformed. But we’re patently aware of how much more change is needed to truly provide the mental health care people need, when they need it.
To mark 70 years of the NHS, we’ve gathered a range of perspectives to reflect on the role of mental health care within the NHS past, present and future. We’re celebrating all the NHS has achieved. But we’re also looking at what needs to change to ensure the vision behind the NHS – everyone receiving the care they need – becomes a reality for mental health.
