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"Working together and toward a common goal we can build connected communities equipped and resourced to respond effectively to a wide range of needs.”

Mental health services are under significant pressure and face challenges to keep up with increasing demand.

“There needs to be a re-focus in mental health policy away from medicalisation and mental ill health to prevention, early intervention and mental wellness."

“Councils have proved how critical they are in providing services during COVID-19, working closely with schools and other partners to provide support to children and young people, but have had to divert all their early intervention spending into more acute services due to overstretched budgets."

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to the latest ONS figures on suicides in the UK.

 “Every suicide is a tragedy and it is worrying that today’s analysis has shown particularly high rates among males and in certain age groups, including a long-term increase in under-25s."

"Suicide prevention is a public health priority for local government and every council has a suicide prevention plan in place. Councils are already working closely with schools, railway operators, businesses, hospitals and the police to prevent suicide and help those affected by it."

Commenting on research undertaken by the London School of Economics (LSE)  and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance about increasing access to perinatal mental health care, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “As this stark research highlights, perinatal mental health problems occur during the period from conception to the child’s second birthday. If untreated and unsupported, these mental health problems can continue to affect mothers, and their families for years afterwards. In the UK, one in five are affected by maternal

To achieve true parity of care between mental and physical health, we need a root and branch overhaul of mental health services, which focuses on prevention and early intervention, particularly for children and young people.

"It’s good to see mental health finally getting the attention and profile that it deserves and this report has rightly focused on the input of people who have been directly affected by the Act."