Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve access for people living with mental illness to new and innovative treatments.

We know that one size does not fit all when it comes to mental health, and that is why a range of innovative treatments are needed. We are considering this in the new Mental Health Strategy for England we are currently developing, to be published later this year. We have launched a Call for Evidence to shape the strategy which closes on 10 July 2026.

The Government is committed to accelerating mental health research into innovative treatments, including through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). We have awarded over £100 million to NIHR research programmes on mental health since July 2024 which are driving discoveries into better treatments and care pathways to enhance the lives of people living with mental health conditions. For example, £1.5 million was awarded by the NIHR in October 2025 to 17 innovative health technology projects to reduce waiting times for children and young people who need mental health support.

We also work closely with wider research funders like Wellcome who have just launched a global research prize with Nature, looking to accelerate breakthrough interventions for depression, anxiety, and psychosis.