Our mental health priority
We work with the healthcare system to share people’s experiences of mental health services - as well as the impact that wider determinants of health and health inequalities can have on mental health - in order to improve mental health services for local people. As part of our mental health priority we also provide information and advice to help people navigate the complex mental health landscape.
Our ultimate goal is that the population of Surrey know what services are available to help support their mental wellbeing, understand how to access these and are able to do so.
Recent work under this priority
Our recent work under this priority includes:
- We have conducted research to examine access to and experiences of emotional and mental health support for people who have a learning disability. You can read the full report and a useful one page summary here - Making mental health inclusive: supporting people with learning disabilities - July 2025. Over the next few months we’ll be working with our system to review our findings and discuss where improvements can be made.
- In May 2025 we attended a health promotion event at HMP Coldingley to hear about experiences of healthcare whilst in prison. 14 men shared their experiences of physical and mental health support with us. Learn more here - What we're hearing from the prison population - May 2025.
- One of our Healthwatch volunteers undertook research at her university campus to explore students’ understanding and awareness of mental health services – read more here - Student-awareness-of-mental-health-services-July-2025.pdf
- Following our successful visits to two mental health in-patient settings (read our reports here - Enter and View Ashmount - April 2025 and Jasmine House Enter and View Report - April 2025) we’re conducting Enter & View visits at two more mental health in-patient settings. The reports will be pubished on our website over the coming months.
Reports and bulletins relating to this priority can be found under the mental health category of our reports section on our website.
You can find out more about the mental health support available in Surrey on our mental health support page.