Major new mental health service investment confirmed by government

Mental health services across the country are to benefit from a new funding investment of nearly one billion pounds.

Announced this week by prime minister David Cameron, the overall purpose of the initiative will be to address the taboo surrounding mental health in the UK and improve the quality of services provided to vulnerable patients.

A total of 290 million pounds will be spent to provide specialist care to mothers before and after having their babies, while 247 million pounds will be invested in liaison mental health services in emergency departments.

Meanwhile, the first ever waiting time targets will be introduced for teenagers with eating disorders and people experiencing psychosis, with over 400 million pounds also being used to provide 24/7 treatment in communities as a safe and effective alternative to hospital.

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: "A sea change in public attitudes, coupled with an increasing range of effective mental health treatments, mean that now's the time to tackle the huge unmet need that affects families and communities across the nation."

Around one-quarter of people in the UK are expected to develop a mental health issue such as depression or anxiety this year alone, while suicide has become the leading cause of death for men under 50.