NHS England’s Director for Long Term Conditions Martin McShane has today welcomed the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week by the Mental Health Foundation.

He praised the Foundation’s work, this year highlighting issues around anxiety.

Dr Martin McShane said: “We welcome the results from the Mental Health Foundation report which show just how many people are affected by anxiety.

“Depression and anxiety make up 66 per cent of the mental health need in England as well as 30 per cent of GPs’ workload, therefore it is imperative we provide good access to the invaluable therapies which help patients, whatever their age, manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.

“The introduction of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme has been a major step forward in improving access to psychological therapy services for people with mental ill health, and NHS England wants to build on that greater access. IAPT has also introduced a very welcome culture of routine outcome measurement; an ambition that NHS England has for all mental health services.”

Mental Health Awareness Week 2014 takes place from May 12-18.

NHS England will be running a series of stories and blogs during the week to help raise awareness. Watch the website for more information.