Following the publication of the Government’s mental health strategy, No Health without Mental Health in February 2011, the Mental Health Strategic Partnership has published two briefings aimed at general practice and community organisations.

The Mental Health Strategic Partnership brings together seven national mental health voluntary sector organisations to work with the Department of Health to support effective communication about mental health policy and practice in England. The partnership is made of:

• Afiya Trust
• Centre for Mental Health
• Mental Health Foundation
• Mental Health Helplines Partnership
• Mental Health Providers Forum
• Mind
• National Survivor User Network
• Rethink Mental Illness

The two 4-page briefings explain in practical terms the ways in which general practitioners, community groups and voluntary organisations can improve life chances for people with mental health conditions:

1. No Health without Mental Health: a guide for general practice (PDF file 346KB) outlines the steps that primary care staff can take to ensure that mental health problems are identified early, and that people suffering from mental health problems are given support to stay in work. The briefing also underlines the importance of treating the physical as well as mental health of people with a mental illness.
2. No Health without Mental Health: a guide for community organisations (PDF file 286KB) explains how community groups and voluntary organisations can work together with services to promote good mental health and tackle the inequalities in mental health service provision faced by marginalised and vulnerable groups.