Up to 159 new NHS mental health centres will open across England from this autumn, bringing crucial support directly into neighbourhoods
New centres in communities are designed to catch problems early, so fewer people reach crisis point in the first place
People in crisis will get dedicated mental health emergency care rather than a long wait in a busy A&E
People struggling with their mental health will get help earlier and closer to home, with 159 new NHS mental health facilities opening across England under plans announced today (6 August 2026).
Backed by £343 million, the rollout is the biggest redesign of mental health services in a generation. It includes:
100 new community mental health centres, offering walk-in support without a referral and without a months-long wait
59 dedicated mental health emergency departments giving people in crisis specialist care in a place designed for them
Demand for mental health services has risen sharply, particularly among children and young people, with around 1 in 5 people experiencing a common mental health condition each year. Too often, people only receive support once they reach crisis point, leaving families without the help they need and placing greater pressure on NHS services.
The new centres will make it far easier for people to get the right help the first time they ask for it, by bringing mental health and specialist teams together under one roof - working alongside GPs, councils, the voluntary sector and families, with direct links into housing and employment support.
The first sites open from autumn this year, with further facilities following from March 2027.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
Nobody should be left to struggle with their mental health alone. But every day, thousands of people are waiting months for help, then finding the only door open to them is a busy A&E.
These new centres will be a lifeline for so many. They will bring NHS services closer to home, making it easier to get support before problems get worse, and ensuring those in crisis get the right care in the right place.
On the steps of Downing Street, I said we would build a country that acts sooner when people need help. Today is just the start of making that a reality.
The announcement comes as the Health and Social Care Secretary visits a community mental health centre in Sheffield, one of 6 already operating in England.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
Too many people are only getting mental health support when they reach crisis point, after struggling for far too long to get the help they need.
These new community mental health centres will help people get support earlier and closer to home, making it easier to get the right care before problems escalate. And when someone does need urgent help, new mental health emergency departments will be able to make sure they are seen quickly by specialist teams in the right setting.
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