Improved mental health “vital for a healthy society”

A new initiative has been launched by the Department of Health aimed at raising understanding of mental wellbeing.

The New Horizons programme was launched by care services minister Phil Hope and seeks to form a “powerful alliance” to target the root causes of mental illness.

A consultation has been published that will gather the input of organisations in sectors ranging from the NHS to the criminal justice system.

Value for money, innovation, tackling stigma and cross-agency collaboration are some of the issues covered in the document.

Mr Hope said that a higher level of mental health among individuals can help prevent them from making decisions that can damage their general health, such as having an unhealthy diet or taking drugs.

“Better mental health and wellbeing is vital for a healthy society,” he stated.

Earlier this week, the minister attended a summit of experts in the field of dementia research, which was held at the Royal Society.