Spending review: 'Troubling silence' on mental health waiting lists

Today the chancellor announced the decisions made in her spending review, which sets out how money will be allocated across government departments in the coming years. While the review isn't intended to be a detailed breakdown of spending in different departments, we remain concerned at the lack of a clear plan to ease pressure on mental health services and reduce waiting lists.

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said:

“The chancellor’s investment in the NHS and housing is a step forward, but there is still a troubling silence around how the government will tackle lengthy waiting times for mental health support. Over 1.6 million people are currently on mental health waiting lists. These aren’t just statistics, but family members, friends, colleagues and constituents who are falling into crisis, being hospitalised and put at increased risk of suicide because they wait months or even years for essential treatment.

"The government has proven it can reduce backlogs for physical health treatment, but it risks undermining its own mission if it ignores the challenges in our mental health services. Support in our schools is welcome, but it’s not a substitute for a comprehensive, cross-government strategy on mental health. We need a clear plan, backed by resources, to address the root causes of the mental health crisis and bring down waiting times. In tandem, we're calling on the government to rethink the proposed cuts to social security, which rather than bolstering the workforce will withdraw people’s financial lifeline and push many into poverty and crisis.”