Biggest ever drive to tackle mental health in Britain announced by Cameron

A revolution in the way people in Britain with mental health are helped was unveiled Monday by Prime Minister David Cameron.

He announced a nationwide program costing 1.5 billion U.S. dollars saying the time had come for Britain to stop sweeping mental health issues 'under the carpet'.

Funding helps provide specialist care for mothers before and after having their babies and the first ever waiting time targets will be introduced for teenagers with eating disorders and people experiencing psychosis. Anorexia currently kills more than any other mental health condition among young people.

One in 5 new mothers develop a mental health problem around the time of the birth of their child, with around 30,000 needing specialist help.

Around 364 million U.S. dollars will be spent on providing mental health services in hospital emergency departments, with almost 600 million U.S. dollars allocated to enable 24/7 treatment in communities as safe and effective alternatives to hospital.

A spokesman for Britain's Department of Health said today: "With 1 in 4 expected to develop a problem such as a form of depression or anxiety this year alone, and suicide now the leading cause of death for men under 50, the Prime Minister says it is time to stop sweeping mental health issues under the carpet and a frank and open discussion is needed on how we can tackle the issue."

Urging people with mental health problems to seek help, Cameron said: "Mental illness isn't contagious, and there's nothing to be frightened of. We need to be far more mature about this with less hushed tones, less whispering; more frank and open discussion.

"We need to take away the shame and let people know that they're not in this alone, that when the clouds descend, they don't have to suffer silently. I want us to be able to say to anyone who is struggling, 'talk to someone, ask your doctor for help and we will always be there to support you'."

Paul Farmer, CEO of Britain's biggest mental health charity,MIND, said: "This is a significant moment for mental health and we are pleased to see the Prime Minister giving it the attention it deserves. Mental health is hugely important in any discussion about improving life chances. Mental health problems can affect anyone, from mums-to-be preparing for their first child to older people at risk of isolation."

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: "Improving mental health has rightly now shot up our national 'to do' list. Putting mental and physical health on an equal footing is a far reaching idea whose time has now come. A sea change in public attitudes coupled with an increasing range of effective mental health treatments mean that now's the time to tackle the huge unmet need that affects families and communities across the nation." Endit