Mind in Bexley will be assisting with the creation of the annual Big Mental Health Report

Mind has launched a transformational new research project – called The Big Mental Health Report.

The Report has an ambitious vision to provide the first comprehensive picture of the nations’ mental health in England and Wales.

A graphic with the front cover of the printed copy of the Great Mental Health Report

Mind and partners have brought together data about mental health problems, stigma and discrimination, alongside real people’s experiences, to give a full picture of the state of mental health right now.

The first report is available to download here: Big Mental Health Report 2024

Across eight years, the project will look to address three key challenges around the mental health crisis in England and Wales:

  • There’s no single annual influencing ‘moment’ in England and Wales that focuses on the state of each nation’s mental health, how the picture has changed, and what can be done about it.

By providing an annual, research-based influencing ‘moment’ for England and Wales, The Big Mental Health Report will change the way that mental health is understood by the sector, general public, policymakers and broader influencers. By establishing a comprehensive baseline for year-on-year comparative analysis of mental health, we’ll be able to track changes and understand exactly where the need is greatest and what would make a difference.

  • While there are useful data sets on prevalence of mental health problems, on stigma, on inequalities, and on many aspects of public attitudes, there’s no single source of truth that brings all of this together in one place.

The Big Mental Health Report will bring together key internal and external intelligence to give an overarching view of mental health in England and Wales. Mind will lead the project but will share learnings widely, within the federation, mental health sector and beyond, to maximise our collective impact.

  • There’s no clear consensus in the mental health sector or more widely about the priority issues for government to address.

This annual ‘temperature check’ of the mental health of each nation will help to make sure that mental health continues to rise up the political agenda. Mind can translate these insights directly into our own external communications and campaigning priorities to support a shift in awareness and action.

By identifying the most worrying trends and providing evidence of what works – and what doesn’t – we can present a clear picture of what the government’s mental health priorities should be. Resulting policy or legal changes could change the lives of millions of people with mental health problems in England and Wales.

The project will also help to inform service design and provide a renewed basis for innovation in the sector as a whole. By identifying need and opportunities at a local and regional level as well as national, Mind be able to work with local Minds to target interventions where they’re most needed and provide commissioners with robust data and intelligence to support spending decisions.

The project will be drawing qualitative and quantitative evidence from a variety of sources. These will include:

  • Analysis of existing data – including the NHS Mental Health Dataset and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.
  • Key intelligence from Mind’s own service footprint such as data and insights from our helplines and Side by Side community.
  • Data and insights from local Minds on the ground.
  • New survey data about adults and young people nationally, regionally and locally.
  • In-depth qualitative interviews/‘deep dive’ analysis on strategically important areas such as serious mental illness, the mental health of young people, those from racialised communities, and those facing poverty.

To achieve all this, Mind will work in close collaboration with the wider federation and external partners, such as Centre for Mental Health.

The entire project is being funded by the Exilarch’s Foundation. The Exilarch’s Foundation was created by Sir Naim Dangoor and is now run by his sons. Since it was established in 1980 the foundation has generously initiated, guided and supported many causes, mainly relating to education and health.

The report was launched with an open letter to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, signed by Mind Chief Executive Dr Sarah Hughes and Sheridan Hammond, the Chair of Federation Leadership Group, as well as other leaders in the mental health sector.

You can read the open letter here: www.mind.org.uk/media/0zvnuvph/letter-to-pm-1.pdf