GOVERNMENT IS JUST A WORD FOR THE THINGS WE DO TOGETHER: Leaked report reveals scale of crisis in England’s mental health services: Damning confidential report reveals suicides are rising and 75% of those needing help are not receiving it. [archive]

A leaked report by a government taskforce has painted a devastating picture of England’s mental health services . . .

The study, overseen by Paul Farmer, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, makes clear that the situation is dire despite promises of reform. “Many people struggle to get the right help at the right time, and evidence-based care is underfunded,” the draft report says. “The human cost is unacceptable and the financial cost is unaffordable.”

The taskforce’s study, A Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, publication of which was delayed for months by ministers, adds that controversial changes introduced in 2012 to the health service may even have made things worse by complicating the way treatment is delivered.