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<p>The Government is committed to supporting more cohesive and joined-up care between
mental health services and substance use services, to ensure people no longer fall
through the gaps of treatment.</p><p>We know that, between 2023 and 2024, 72% of people
starting drug and alcohol treatment also had a mental health treatment need. Furthermore,
approximately 30 to 50% of people with serious mental illness have co-existing drug
or alcohol use conditions. However, as the Royal College of Psychiatry’s report highlights,
too often, people with co-occurring substance use and mental health needs do not receive
the joined up, person-centred care they require and deserve.</p><p>In response to
this, the Department and NHS England are finalising the Co-occurring Mental Health
and Substance Use Action Plan. In developing this plan, NHS England and the Department
have worked with subject matter experts, including people with lived experience, academics,
clinicians, and service providers, to set out a path to improving service provision
for those with co-occurring substance use and mental health needs.</p><p>The action
plan will build on current structures and initiatives such the Commissioning Quality
Standard published in 2022. This standard provides guidance for drug and alcohol treatment
commissioners on improving services for people with co-occurring mental health and
alcohol or drug conditions and how local services need to work together so that people
can access the help they need.</p>
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