Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide additional support for people with mental health problems that have been (1) caused, or (2) exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic.

We published Staying mentally well this winter in November 2020, in an online only format. This sets out the support being made available for people in the winter months. This plan includes advice on wellbeing, information on accessing mental health services, support in communities and support for frontline health and social care workers.

Talking therapies will continue to be made available remotely so people can access help safely from home and the National Health Service will work to ensure the option of face to face support is provided where it is clinically safe to do so. For those with severe needs or in crisis, all NHS mental health providers have established 24 hours a day, seven days a week urgent mental health helplines.