Seizing the moment Rethink Mental Illness supporters have been critical to pushing mental health up the agenda. 10,000 of you challenged cuts to mental health services. Your voice has been heard at the highest level. Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England said this Wednesday: “The tide of public opinion is shifting in favour of mental health and wellbeing. People are rightly no longer willing to put up with mental health as the poor relation to the rest of the health service.”

Seizing the moment NHS England have launched a taskforce that will set new priorities for improving mental health services. You need to play a major part in this. We must not lose the momentum of this last year. We have an unfinished task together to turn parity of esteem into reality.

What is parity of esteem? “My family and I all have access to services which enable us to maintain both our mental and physical wellbeing.” “If I become unwell I use services which assess and treat mental health disorders or conditions on a par with physical health illnesses.”

What’s the challenge? Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) Mental health service providers Health and Wellbeing Boards Local authorities (councils) NHS England (specialist services) From this to this

Successes to date... Introduction of waiting times and access standards for mental health services (ongoing programme to 2020) Physical health of people affected by mental illness moving further up the agenda - a quality improvement target for all mental health trusts in 2014/15 Crisis Care Concordat Mental Health Intelligence Network

.....but there’s still work to do Funding for mental health has been cut by 8% since 2010 Detentions under the Mental Health Act are rising year on year People affected by mental illness are disadvantaged by the WCA and miss out on employment support if they want to go back to work People affected by mental illness still experience stigma and discrimination

The next 6 months are crucial We have to be ready to ensure that mental health stays on the agenda of the new government. We need to exert pressure on local decision makers in your communities so that mental health gets the support it so desperately needs. That is why we need your help.

We need you! After the General Election in May, we need to make sure that the new Government sees our issues as one of their highest priorities. Your boots on the ground are what will make the difference.

Questions? You can contact the campaigns team at for advice and information on any aspect of campaigning!

Take a break

This summer.... We hope you will join us for: A picnic in the park

Or rather... Get your MP to join YOU for a picnic to discuss the issues you face and your mental health priorities for the next Government.

Why a picnic? We need to reach out to new MPs and reinforce existing relationships A picnic is different... and therefore likely to generate local media coverage You can do it as a group

What we will ask of MPs To set up a meeting with their local CCG and find out if spending has been increased in real terms as directed. To write to the Prime Minister calling for year on year real increases in funding for mental health.

How you can help We want to reach min 25 MPs but we would rather meet 50! You can sign up to set up a picnic You can take part online

How will we help you?  Provide a picnic basket and blanket.  Cover the costs of snacks for your picnic.  Put you in contact with other Rethink Mental Illness campaigners near you.  We will provide templates for writing to your MP.  We will provide media support.

Over to you Take 5 minutes to discuss what you think you need from us to take part in the picnic campaign Take another 5 minutes to brainstorm on a name for the campaign