Labour’s pledge to improve mental health in young people and the NHS welcomed by the BPS

The commitment from Labour to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health staff for the NHS and the proposed introduction of Young Futures hubs have been welcomed by the British Psychological Society. 

The pledges match the BPS's calls to protect the mental health of children and young people and focus on preventative services. The BPS is also pleased to see a promise to protect social class under the Equality Act by first enacting socio-economic duty to help promote equality and opportunity.

Responding to Labour's manifesto commitment to growing the mental health workforce, Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of the British Psychological Society said:

"It is encouraging to see Labour's renewed focus on mental health throughout their manifesto. Prevention is more cost-effective than cure and having an additional 8,500 mental health professionals in the NHS will make a significant impact to ensure people can get the support they need, while also easing the burden on an increasingly overstretched and burnt-out NHS workforce."

Commenting on the Young Futures programme, Dr Raczka said:

"It is positive to see a commitment from Labour to introduce a network of community youth hubs designed to prevent children from being drawn into crime. 

"We've made it clear that Early Support Hubs need to be rolled-out nationally, with long-term and sustainable funding so this commitment from labour to focus on community services for young people is welcome. These services will only help improve the psychological and emotional wellbeing of children and young people."

Commenting on protecting social class under the Equality Act, Dr Raczka said:

"It was also promising to see Labour commit to enacting socio-economic duty in the Equality Act, the first political party to do so. This is a vital first step towards the inclusion of social class as a protected characteristic.

"Such a move would ensure a reduction in prejudice and discrimination towards working class people and improve education, health and work-related outcomes for everyone in society."

This general election, Psychology Matters. All political parties must ensure they take a psychological approach to policymaking which places people first. Read the BPS's manifesto for the 2024 General Election.