“Investment in early intervention and prevention services vital,” BPS urges government ahead of Spring Budget

The government should commit to targeted investment in prevention and early intervention measures in the forthcoming Spring Budget, that's according to the British Psychological Society in its latest Spending Review Submission.  

The BPS recommends: 

• Funding in prevention and early intervention services that are accessible and available within local communities.
• Additional investment for expanding mental health services for mothers and fathers.
• Increased spending on specialised Parent-Infant Mental Health Services and Early Attachment Services across the UK.
• Sufficient funding for older peoples' health services that enables them to age well at home and in the community.
• Targeted investment in an expanded workforce for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
• Long-term ring-fenced funding for dedicated, psychologically led mental health support for health and care staff.
• Extra investment committed to expanding the mental healthcare workforce within primary care.
• An increase in funding for local authorities to ensure that every maintained educational setting has a linked Educational Psychologist based in their local authority. 

President of the British Psychological Society Dr Roman Raczka said: 

"Without urgent and substantial investment in prevention and early intervention services, people across the country will only continue to get sicker. The government has a moral duty to ensure that the health and wellbeing of people is treated as a priority. If funding for improving the nation's mental health support services is forthcoming, then substantial long term economic savings will follow.

"We call on government departments to consider the evidence we have presented on the savings that can be gained through health and wellbeing investment. This will only help inform the decisions made in this Spending Review."