Category: Advocacy

CQC Survey Reveals Ongoing Challenges in Community Mental Health Services

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) 2024 Community Mental Health Survey highlights persistent issues within NHS community mental health services in England. Key findings include:​

  • Access and Waiting Times: 40% of respondents did not receive support while waiting for their first appointment, and 42% reported that their mental health deteriorated during this period.​
  • Crisis Care: While 78% knew who to contact during a crisis, 27% did not receive the help they needed, and 47% reported that their families or carers were not offered support during such times.​
  • Care Planning and Involvement: Over a third (38%) did not have a care plan, and 43% had not had a review meeting to discuss their care. Additionally, 36% reported having no choice in how their care was delivered. ​
  • Support for Broader Needs: Significant numbers of respondents did not receive help or advice for joining community activities (44%), finding work (69%), or accessing financial advice or benefits (67%).

These findings underscore the need for comprehensive improvements in community mental health services to ensure timely access, effective crisis support, and holistic care planning.​

Read the full report: CQC – Community Mental Health Survey 2024

Strengthening Suicide Prevention: From Policy to Practice

The Suicide Prevention Consortium’s 2025 report, Suicide Prevention Principles: From Policy to Practice, outlines two fundamental principles for effective suicide prevention: ensuring ‘no wrong door’ to accessing support and providing person-centred care. The report emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts, inclusive practices, increased staff awareness, and robust workforce support to translate these principles into actionable strategies.

Read the full report: NSPA – Suicide Prevention Principles: From Policy to Practice

The King’s Fund: New Report Highlights Mental Health Challenges Faced by Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the UK

The Mental Health Foundation’s 2025 report sheds light on the significant mental health challenges experienced by asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. It emphasizes the need for trauma-informed policies and better support systems to address these issues.​

Read the full report: The Mental Health of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the UK – 2025 Edition

A Roadmap to a Smokefree Country: New Report Calls for Bold Action

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health has released its 2025 report, A Roadmap to a Smokefree Country, outlining urgent steps to end smoking in the UK within a generation. Central to the plan is a proposed ‘polluter pays’ levy on tobacco companies, aiming to raise £700 million annually to fund cessation programs and reduce health inequalities. The report also recommends stricter regulations on youth vaping and a cap on tobacco industry profits. With smoking remaining a leading cause of preventable illness and death, the report urges all political parties to commit to a fully funded, long-term strategy to make smoking obsolete.

Read the full report: A Roadmap to a Smokefree Country – APPG on Smoking and Health

The Kings Fund: Public Satisfaction with NHS and Social Care Hits Record Lows

The latest British Social Attitudes survey reveals that public satisfaction with both the NHS and social care services in the UK has reached unprecedented lows.

  • NHS Satisfaction: Only 21% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the NHS, marking the lowest level since the survey began in 1983. Key concerns include long waiting times, staffing shortages, and difficulties accessing services like A&E and dentistry.
  • Social Care Satisfaction: Satisfaction with social care services remains at a mere 13%, the lowest ever recorded. Major reasons for dissatisfaction include inadequate pay and working conditions for care workers, insufficient support for unpaid carers, and many individuals not receiving the care they need.

These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and increased investment in both sectors to address the growing concerns of the public.​

Read the full report: The King’s Fund

Stress Awareness Month 2025

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how stress affects our daily lives and what we can do to manage it. While stress is a natural response to challenges, prolonged stress can impact both mental and physical health.

Our library offers a wealth of information on mental well-being. This month, take a moment to check in with yourself and explore ways to build resilience. Small steps toward self-care can make a big difference.

The King’s Fund: Understanding the Health of Ethnic Minority Women in England

The King’s Fund’s recent report delves into the health disparities experienced by women from ethnic minority groups in England. It reveals that while some groups have lower overall mortality rates than their White British counterparts, they face higher incidences of certain preventable conditions and maternal mortality. Factors such as socio-economic status, cultural assimilation, and structural racism contribute to these inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for culturally competent healthcare services and targeted policies to address these disparities.

Read the full report: The King’s Fund

New Books for Our Teenage Collection!

Looking for something fresh to read? We’ve just added some fantastic new books to our Teenage Collection! Whether you need advice on mental health, body image, social media, or identity, these books have got you covered. From Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys to Social Anxiety Relief for Teens, there’s something for everyone.

Come check them out at the library!

Children’s Mental Health Week 2025

This Children’s Mental Health Week (3–9 Feb), this week encourages young people to express themselves and be heard. Libraries offer safe spaces and books that support mental wellbeing, helping children feel understood and empowered.

Let’s help them find their voices and make a difference!