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Mind said our By Your Side campaign had kick-started a long-overdue national conversation. The two-year pandemic has now made it a national emergency. Our examination of overstretched services and provision ‑ and support from loyal readers ‑ led Health Secretary Sajid Javid to label the campaign “brilliant”.

And on the back of our work he has promised root-and-branch reform, giving fresh hope to millions who suffer in silence.

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said: “The campaign has pushed mental health up the political agenda.

“To be successful his review must be based on the experiences of people with mental health problems – particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic.

“With 1.5 million people on a waiting list for treatment and a further eight million who would benefit from treatment but can’t get on the list, this plan must also come with additional funding for our overstretched mental health services.

“Rising infection rates and looming restrictions will present additional challenges for our wellbeing and mental health. Mind will be there for as many people who need us as we can but we can’t do it alone.”

Mind has begged the Government to commit £1.5billion to treat children and young people ‑ the hardest hit by the pandemic. 

Mr Javid’s revamp pledge three days before Christmas comes after we launched our campaign on November 3 encouraging those in peril to seek help.

It has garnered huge support from school teachers, parents, charities, celebrities, campaigners and politicians.

Mr Javid, 52, said his plan would set out the action needed to help everyone live “healthier, happier lives”.

He said: “The By Your Side campaign the Daily Express has been running has done brilliant work to raise awareness of this issue. It’s been really encouraging to see more conversations about mental health and this campaign will help so many people over the Christmas period.

“It’s so important that mental health and physical health are treated with the same urgency. For anyone who is struggling, my message is – it’s OK not to be OK. Please reach out, help is here for you.”

Creaking mental health services and unprecedented demand have left millions unable to get help. For others successive lockdowns have them suffering in silence, crippled by loneliness and depression.

Mr Javid will launch a consultation in NewYear and called on the public, charities, businesses and the mental health sector to help shape his strategy.

He added: “Around one in five adults experienced some form of depression in the first three months of this year – over double the figure before Covid.”

Last year Mind faced its highest level of demand since it was founded in 1946, after being approached by 20 million people ‑ about a third of the UK population.

And each month the charity’s infoline gets 8,000 calls, equal to 11 every hour.

There are now 1.6 million people waiting for mental health treatment and around 800,000 adults and 450,000 children and young people require secondary services.

Just one third of children who need mental health support are receiving it. Official data also shows a record number of under-18s are now seeking help.

Veteran campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, 81, said: “Properly supporting and resourcing our mental health professionals is an urgent priority. Mental health is crucial to our national health. We forget that at our peril.”

Comment by Paul Farmer

As we look forward to welcoming in 2022 following another challenging year, it’s a good time to reflect on the past couple of months.

Launched in early November, By Your Side ‑ Mind’s campaign with the Daily Express ‑ aimed to highlight the impact the pandemic has taken on the nation’s mental health and the increased demand for information and support, as well as raising much-needed funds.

Thanks to the Daily Express and its readers By Your Side has reached thousands and raised thousands, allowing us to continue our vital work, including taking calls to our Infoline.

This partnership has helped shine a light on the issues that matter most to people with mental health problems.

In recent months we’ve highlighted how many children and young people are facing long waits for mental health treatment or being turned away altogether and a disappointing Spending Review, with no funding earmarked for mental health services.

The campaign has helped push mental health up the political agenda, with a recent commitment from Health Secretary Sajid Javid for a long-awaited cross-government strategy on mental health.

In order to be successful, this review must be based on the experiences of people with mental health problems, particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic.

With 1.5 million people currently on a waiting list for treatment and a further eight million who would benefit from treatment can’t get on the list, this plan must also come with additional funding for our overstretched mental health services.

Rising infection rates and looming restrictions will present additional challenges for our wellbeing and mental health. 

Mind will continue to be there for as many people who need us as we can, but we can’t do it alone.

Paul Farmer is chief executive of Mind

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