Anna Freud responds to the government’s plans for a new mental health strategy
Our CEO says a prevention-first, cross-government approach must put children and young people at its heart.
Last week (15 May 2026), the government announced it will develop a new ‘once-in-a-generation' cross-government mental health strategy, with a focus on shifting care from intervention to prevention. As part of this, it has opened a Call for Evidence, inviting organisations like Anna Freud - alongside other mental health experts, clinicians and frontline workers - to share views on how to transform mental health care for children and adults in England.
Anna Freud has been calling for a shift to prevention and early intervention for some time, including through our 2024 Thinking differently manifesto and submission to the 10 Year Health Plan consultation.
In response to this news, Professor Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud, said:
“Last week’s announcement – which came at the end of Mental Health Awareness Week - is a welcome and significant step. For years, we have called for mental health care to be reimagined, and for a fundamental shift towards prevention.
“For too long, mental health policy has been dominated by crisis response. A strategy with prevention at its heart creates the chance to build support around children, young people and families before distress escalates. It also recognises that mental health is shaped not only in clinics, but in schools, homes, communities, workplaces and the digital spaces where young people spend so much of their lives.
“We estimate that, every 20 seconds, a referral is made for a child or young person to access mental health services in England. That is around 4,000 referrals every single day.1 Young people are growing up amid profound change, from economic insecurity and disrupted pathways into work, to digital pressures, social isolation and the erosion of community spaces. A strategy that genuinely improves mental health must address the wider systems around young people, including education, social care, youth services, employment, housing, and technology. That is why a cross-government approach is so important.
“Prevention means creating conditions that help young people to thrive. This includes trusted relationships, timely help, stable and inclusive education, safe online and offline environments, along with opportunities to build a sense of agency, connection and skills in an increasingly challenging world.
“We will join other experts and clinicians across the country in contributing to this Call for Evidence. We urge the government to give children and young people a meaningful role in the design, delivery and evaluation of the strategy. With half of mental health conditions starting before the age of 14, their voices, alongside evidence from research and clinical expertise, are essential for ensuring that this strategy is effective, sustainable and delivers for those who need it most2.”
Find out more
Anna Freud is a mental health charity, transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation.
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond, we are exploring how to turn evidence into action to support the mental health of children, young people and families. Join us in turning evidence into action by feeding into this Call for Evidence.