See Me Now

We’re calling on the UK government to roll out same-day open access mental health support across England.

Currently, rigid thresholds and long waiting times leave many people to get worse before they can get any help. And when they do get support, it often doesn't fully meet their needs. Mental health professionals are feeling the pressure too. They often feel unable to deliver the quality of care people need and are left feeling stressed and burnt-out.

We need to reimagine the mental health system. Open access mental health support should be available to everyone on the day they ask for help. This would give people early access to the right support that makes them feel seen as a unique person with unique experiences. It would ease the strain on our health services because the right support at the right time means fewer people become more unwell.

The upcoming 10-year mental health strategy is a crucial opportunity for the UK government to start this transformation.

Will you support our message? Join our campaign now and be the first to hear about ways to get involved!

Find out more about same-day open access and our five key recommendations for the UK government

<

A same-day open access model would mean that anyone seeking help can easily access a conversation with a professional who takes time to understand their individual needs and circumstances.

This initial conversation makes people feel seen and heard. It also makes it easier to find the best combination of support that will make the biggest difference to their mental health. That might be clinical support such as therapy or medication, peer support in their local community, or practical support such as help with housing or employment issues.

Properly identifying a person’s needs early on shortens waiting lists because it avoids people being bounced between services or being offered support that doesn’t actually work for them.

This isn’t a pipedream. In places where this approach has already been tested, mental health has improved and waiting times have fallen. Now we need to see same-day open access rolled out across the system, across England and for people with all different levels of need.

To start this shift, the UK government needs to take five key steps:

Commit to a transition towards same-day open access in the upcoming 10-year mental health strategy for England
Build on the implementation of same-day open access in Wales
Start to measure what matters for high-quality mental health care
Put in place the resources required to make the shift
Position mental health within a wider model of neighbourhood health

First name

Last name

Email address

Postcode

Nation

Hear more from us

Would you like to receive email updates about Mind’s work?

If you agree to be contacted by email, we will send you information about our campaigns. We will also share our latest news, and contact you about events and fundraising, and opportunities to shape our work.

Yes

No

Which language would you like to receive emails in?

Are you sure? Choosing ‘No’ means we can’t send you emails about campaigns, which we know you’ll love! You’ll also stop receiving other email communications from Mind.

How we process the information you provide

We take your privacy seriously and promise to never sell your data.

You can find out more about your rights, how we use your personal information and how we keep your details safe and secure by reading our Privacy Policy. For more information, to update your choices or to stop us sending you updates, contact our Supporter Relations team at [email protected] or on 0208 215 2243. Please note that when you update your communication preferences it can take up to 28 days to take effect.