New mental health action plan outlined by government

The government has outlined a mental health action plan as part of its ongoing effort to ensure mental and physical health issues are treated with the same level of priority.

Speaking at a mental health industry conference, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg outlined 25 action areas for health and care services that will make a difference to the lives of mental health patients. 

Key measures will include giving patients a greater level of choice over their care strategy, the introduction of specific new waiting time standards and the expansion of the Friends and Family Test programme.

Meanwhile, talking therapies will be made available to more people, a greater focus on children with mental issues will be introduced and funding will be allocated to better housing for affected patients.

Mr Clegg said: "It's going to take all of us working together to achieve the change in attitudes to mental health that we need, to create an environment together where it's OK to talk about mental health."

NHS figures have previously revealed that mental illness is the biggest cause of disability in the UK, with sufferers of severe conditions dying 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population on average.