We’re deeply concerned by reports of planned cuts and closures across NHS mental health services in England, particularly at a time when demand for mental health support remains high. 

The reports come just days after the Government announced a £343 million investment to expand community mental health support, including up to 159 new mental health facilities. 

We welcomed this investment as an important step towards making mental health support more accessible and helping people receive care earlier. 

But both are needed – new community services and the existing services people already rely on. 

NHS mental health cuts raise concerns about access to support 

The latest reports raise serious questions about whether the Government’s expansion plans are deliverable if existing services are being cut at the same time. Cutting services and clinical staff risks reducing access to support and putting further pressure on an already stretched system. 

They also raise questions about the Government’s commitment to growing the mental health workforce. It recently announced that an additional 8,500 mental health workers have been recruited, yet services are now reportedly facing cuts to clinical staff. 

Counselling and psychotherapy workforce ready to support services 

There is a skilled counselling and psychotherapy workforce ready to contribute to meeting rising demand, particularly through prevention and early intervention. 

Thousands of BACP members are already working in communities, with many more having the capacity to support the Government’s expansion plans. Sustainable funding and commissioning are needed to make use of this workforce. 

Cuts to NHS services will also put additional pressure on third sector counselling services which are already experiencing growing referral and signposting from the NHS. These same services are struggling without sustainable long-term funding which has resulted in some closing waiting lists and a growing rate of service closures. 

Government must protect existing mental health services 

Dr Lisa Morrison, BACP Chief Regulation and Standards Officer, said:  

“The new Minister for Mental Health, Alison McGovern, must urgently address these reported cuts and closures. 

"Coming so soon after the Government’s announcement of new community mental health centres and emergency mental health departments, they raise serious questions about whether its expansion plans are deliverable.

"We need both – not one at the expense of the other. 

“There is a skilled counselling and psychotherapy workforce ready to support earlier intervention, but services need the funding to make use of it. Cuts to NHS services will also put even greater pressure on a third sector already struggling without sustainable funding. The system is breaking under the weight of demand outstripping capacity. 

“Mental health is as important as physical health. The Government must protect existing services while investing in the additional capacity needed to support people earlier, before they reach crisis point.”