England is witnessing the “biggest expansion of mental health services in Europe”, according to health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has promised that an extra £1.3bn would be invested annually in mental health services by 2021.

With one in four people expected to suffer from mental illness at some time in their life – whether it’s a new mother struggling with postnatal depression, a teenager with an eating disorder, or an older person isolated and lonely at home – the financial commitment is welcome.

Government pledges to reform the Mental Health Act 1983 – the law that allows the state to step in and detain people in crisis – also offers hope to others, particularly those whose lives are overshadowed by serious illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

[For more on this story by Debbie Andalo, go to https://www.theguardian.com/he...amp;utm_medium=email]

Photo: A large proportion (80%) of NHS trusts are concerned that funding will not reach where it is needed most. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo