Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out the work of women's mental health taskforce to date.

The Women’s Mental Health Taskforce (WMHTF) was set up in early 2017 in response to the findings of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) which found a significant rise in mental ill health among women, particularly between 16-24 years old. The Taskforce’s objective is to develop proposals and deliver action collaboratively to improve women’s mental health, and is co-chaired by myself and Katherine Sacks-Jones, Director of Agenda.

The WMHTF brings together experts on women’s mental health and involves key national organisations responsible for policy, commissioning and delivery of services, including system partners such as NHS England and Public Health England.

The first meeting of the Taskforce was held in February 2017 and discussed the findings of the APMS and key issues for the Taskforce.

The next WMHTF meeting is being held in November 2017. The Taskforce’s key findings will be made available in summer 2018.