Addressing health inequalities has been a priority in mental health for years, as highlighted in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and the NHS Long Term Plan. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more important than ever. The virus and its social and economic impacts are disproportionately impacting specific groups, including black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. While government investigates the causes of this, NHS England and NHS Improvement are committed to supporting local health systems to better address inequalities in access, experience and outcomes of mental healthcare.

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The advancing mental health equalities strategy published in September 2020 outlines the core enabling actions NHS England and NHS Improvement will take with the support of the Advancing Mental Health Equalities Taskforce – an alliance of sector experts, including patients and carers, who are committed to creating more equitable access, experience and outcomes in mental health services in England. It sits alongside the NHS Mental Health Implementation Plan 2019/20–2023/24 and as such is similarly focused in scope. This strategy is also an important element of the overall NHS plans to accelerate action to address health inequalities in the next stage of responding to COVID-19.

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This webinar lead by Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE will introduce advancing mental health equalities strategy and summarise the core actions that NHS England and NHS Improvement will take to bridge the gaps for communities fairing worse than others in mental health services