Collective Voice responds to the mental health and wellbeing plan

In September 2022 the government published a mental health and wellbeing plan discussion paper.

Our response to the paper focuses on the question:

“What can we change at a system level to ensure that individuals with co-occurring mental health and drug and alcohol issues encounter ‘no wrong door’ in their access to all relevant treatment and support?

This includes people in contact with the criminal justice system.”

In particular, we recommend:

• The government ensures the implementation of the Drug Strategy fulfils Dame Carol’s mental health recommendations, in particular, the new Health Education England led workforce strategy must include provision for improving the skills and competencies of people working across all parts of the health and social care system who support people experiencing co-occurring conditions.
• The government and NHS England ensure the implementation considers the needs of particular groups of people experiencing co-occurring conditions including women and family and carers who experience their own profound mental health harms.
• The government clearly sets out its policy intent regards alcohol, including its vision and funding for treatment and recovery services which support people experiencing mental ill health and alcohol problems.