To mark World Mental Health Day (WMHD) we’ve worked with our partners to issue the following statement in support of the NHS and its workers:

Lord Darzi’s report into the state of the nation’s health and wellbeing is a blue-flashing light. He has called for urgent support for our NHS. As professional organisations with members both working in the NHS, and supporting health and social care staff, we know that without the workforce, there is no NHS. 

At the heart of ensuring the health service thrives is making sure all staff have access to high quality, counselling and mental health and wellbeing services. 

On World Mental Health Day 2024, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the British Psychological Society (BPS) are coming together as professional bodies dedicated to high standards in evidence-based practice and experience, to highlight the need for adequately resourced services, compassionate leadership, and essential time for reflective practice and clinical supervision, so that our members can deliver the best care to all our NHS patients, and the staff they depend on. 

We are committed to working together, in partnership with the NHS across the UK, to help shape improved practice for our members working in health and social care and for all NHS staff who undertake such vital work.

Lynne Gabriel, President BACP

Dr Saiqa Naz, President BABCP

Dr Roman Raczka, President BPS