PLEASE NOTE: Change.org may ask you to donate - the NCPS is not asking you to donate, and any money would go to change.org to support their campaigning work.

Emma, Jack, Imogen, Matt and many others expected to find solace and recovery in the NHS when they sought mental health help. However, like many, they were faced with long waiting times, limited options, and support that did not meet their needs. The only feasible alternative required financial resources, and while they were able to find the money, it was a struggle. Many people simply can't afford it. For many, it feels like a struggle that shouldn't exist in a system meant to care for its people and keep them healthy and well.

The NHS is a beloved institution that provides world-leading care across the UK, but when it comes to mental health, patients are more likely to complete a course of treatment without improving than they are to have improved, and that's if they complete the course in the first place - many don't. One of the key factors that makes therapy effective is the relationship between the therapist and the patient, or client. It's not the type of therapy that makes a difference, so that's not something you can prescribe like a pill and know that it will solve the problem. 

Mental health is also deeply intertwined with physical health. According to the Mental Health Foundation, people with severe mental health issues are more likely to experience physical health problems. The reverse is true as well: better mental health often leads to better overall health and wellbeing. It follows, then, that providing comprehensive mental health support is not just a necessary service in its own right, but it also contributes to a healthier society overall.

With the government's Mental Health Strategy on the horizon, set to be published this autumn, we have a unique and critical opportunity to advocate for change. This strategy will guide NHS mental health commissioning for the next decade. If we want a future where everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to adaptable and effective mental health care, we must act now.

Our petition asks that this upcoming strategy include provisions for a broader range of accessible mental health services that cater to diverse needs. This must include:

1. Access to a broader range of talking therapies through primary care

2. The right to find a therapist you can work with, based on what matters to you: how they work, what they specialise in, whether they understand your background or speak your language

3. A funded alternative for people for whom the standard pathway has not worked, so that an unsuccessful course of therapy is never the end of the road, regardless of ability to pay

Statistics show that approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem at some point, according to the charity Mind. Yet, the disparity in opportunity for the right support hinders some people's recovery and wellbeing. We must challenge this and push for reforms that ensure equitable and effective mental health care for all.

Please sign this petition to urge the UK government to take decisive, inclusive action to support everyone's unique mental health needs.

You can find out more about the NCPS and our campaign at ncps.com

PLEASE NOTE: Change.org may ask you to donate - the NCPS is not asking you to donate, and any money would go to change.org to support their campaigning work.