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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 21h

We join @rethinkcharity.bsky.social
in urging the government to invest in mental health services - and the dedicated professionals working in them - to ensure everyone living with mental health needs can access the right support, at the right time.

#MentalHealth

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 21h

🚨74% of people living with mental illness are not getting the right treatment at the right time.

We know the mental health workforce are already being pushed to their limits. But with 1.8 million people on NHS #MentalHealth waiting lists, the government must act now.

Rethink Mental Illness @rethinkcharity.bsky.social · 2d

Our new report, Right Treatment, Right Time 2025, shows the devastating impact that waiting times have on people living with mental illness.

Things can’t go on like this. We must cut mental health waiting times.

Read the report 👉 www.rethink.org/RTRT2025

We asked hundreds of people living with mental illness about their experiences. 74% said they did not get the right treatment at the right time.

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 7d

The Fair Pay Agreement is a long-overdue recognition that #SocialCare is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay & conditions.

The £500m commitment is a start but we need sustained workforce investment to:

✅improve conditions
✅tackle staff shortages
✅support longer-term reform

A photo of two woman sat on a safe together in conversation. There is a blue overlay across the image. White and yellow text reads 'social care is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay and conditions.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 14d

We know Giles will be a valuable addition to the mental health workforce, and look forward to seeing him and our other trainees develop over the next two years.

#SocialWorkers #MentalHealthSocialWork

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 14d

Giles shares his motivations for training with us as a mental health social worker:

“I think it comes from a place of always wanting to work with people directly, having valued that in my previous roles in the charity sector.

I want to help people get the best out of everything on offer.”

Photo of Giles, a white white man with short dark hair. He is stood up and smiling at the camera wearing a grey top and blue jeans. Next to him white text reads 'Training as a social worker feels like a really exciting opportunity get out on my feet and engage with the local community.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 17d

There are endless misunderstandings about the role of a mental health #SocialWorker.

We love this Community Care article exploring the value of the role: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/27/from-pet-sitter-to-domestic-abuse-advocate-the-unseen-life-of-a-mental-health-social-worker/

Photo of two women sat down facing each other. The woman on the left has a laptop and is making notes on paper as well. Across the text a screenshot of an article headline reads 'from pet sitter to domestic abuse advocate: the unseen life of a mental health social worker.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 23d

Difficult social situations can contribute to mental health ill health, but improving the social factors in someone’s life can be transformational.

Mental health social workers empower people to manage the social factors in their lives, providing life-changing support.

#SocialWorkMatters

Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'We need a social approach to mental health.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 23d

Social workers can support with the things that matter most to us all. Housing. Family. Employment. Community.

When someone is experiencing #MentalHealth problems, they may need support in all areas of their life.

#SocialWork #MentalHealthSocialWork

Photo of a front of a house, with an orange filter over it. White and black text reads 'Housing. Relationships. Employment. They can all impact our mental health.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 26d

This is something we said loud and clear in our evidence to the Committee earlier this year, and it's what we've been calling for in our #SocialWorkMatters campaign:

Responding to whether social workers will be in the next NHS workforce plan - Think Ahead

Mental health social workers must be properly recognised as part of the NHS workforce. We were so pleased to hear Andrew George MP raise the vital question of whether social workers will be included in the next NHS workforce plan at this week’s Health and Social Care Select Committee session. This is something we said […]

thinkahead.org

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 26d

Mental health social workers must be properly recognised as part of the NHS workforce.

We were so pleased to hear Andrew George MP raise the vital question of whether social workers will be included in the next NHS workforce plan at this week’s Health and Social Care Select Committee session.

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 29d

Visit Samaritans' website for information and resources: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day/

If you need support:

📞call Samaritans on 116 123 (anytime day or night)
📧 email Samaritans [email protected] (can take several days for a response)

World Suicide Prevention Day

Every year, on 10 September, organisations around the world get together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

www.samaritans.org

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · 29d

Starting a conversation about suicide can save someone’s life.

This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay we’re sharing this important message from Samaritans.

Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal - you don’t have to be an expert.

Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'Just start the conversation. You never really know what a difference you could make.'

Teal background with yellow and white text that reads 'If you're having suicidal thoughts, talk to Samaritans. Call free on 116 123.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Sep 9

📣 We’re #Hiring! Join our mental health charity as our new Business Development Manager.

If you have a passion for driving new business growth and supporting new projects, apply now: https://thinkahead.org/workwithus/opportunities-at-head-office/

Closing: 5pm, Tuesday 16 September

#CharityJobs

The image is a job advert. White background with black text that reads 'We're hiring: business development manager'. The black text is highlighted in yellow. Underneath this bullet points outline the job as part-time 30 hours a week, offered as a 6 month fixed-term contract and a salary of £34,400. White text says that the advert closes on Tuesday 16 September.

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Sep 8

Discover more about the relationship between community and #MentalHealth:

Community and mental health - lived experience insights - Think Ahead

Two of our lived experience partners and Sarah, our Involvement Lead, share what community means to them. They discuss the importance of community and peer support, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Saffron Community, to me, means connection, shared passion, as well as safety, and belonging—something that offers a sense of grounding when the world […]

thinkahead.org

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Sep 8

Good community mental health support can be life-changing for people with mental health needs.

Saffron, one of our lived experience partners, shares:

🗣️ “The best community mental health support I’ve experienced has been person-centered, trauma-informed & flexible.

Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'I've encountered barriers like long waitlists, lack of tailored support, funding and just a simple lack of knowledge.'

Photo of a calendar with the word appointment written on one of the dates. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'The best community mental health support I've experienced has been person-centred, trauma-informed and flexible.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Sep 1

To meet today’s mental health challenges, the contribution of social workers must be recognised, properly resourced & expanded: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/why-social-workers-are-vital-for-mental-health-services/

#SocialWorkMatters #SocialWork

Photo of Lyn Romeo, a white woman wearing a black top, sat down in front of microphone. There is a blue overlay across the photo. Across the photo white and yellow text reads 'to meet today's mental health challenges, their contribution must be recognised, properly resourced and expanded.'

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Sep 1

Social workers are vital for mental health services. They bring professional expertise, compassion & a commitment to social justice.

Lyn Romeo, former Chief Social Worker for Adults & one of our trustees, advocated for the role of social workers at @basw-uk.bsky.social conference this summer.

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 29

“It's a privilege really to be able to help people who are going through difficult times with their mental health and give them some support.

We’re really glad to have Lewis & the rest of our 2025 cohort, training with us, at a time when a strong mental health workforce is needed more than ever.

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 29

🗣️“I've always been interested in social justice and I think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.”

Lewis, one of our 2025 trainees, shared with us his motivations for wanting to work in mental health and train as a social worker.

Photo of Lewis stood up. Lewis is a white man, with brown curly hair wearing a red top, green jacket and blue denim shorts. Next to the photo of him white text reads 'I've always been interested in social justice and think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 26

Read why #SocialWorkMatters:

Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead

Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

thinkahead.org

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 26

Misunderstood, undervalued, overlooked: social workers only make up around 2% of the mental health workforce.

🚨We’re calling on the government to recognise the value of social workers and include them in its upcoming NHS Workforce Plan.

Orange background with white and black text and an image of the front of a document reading 'NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.' Above the image text reads 'There are 151 pages in the NHS workforce plan. Mental health social workers aren't mentioned once.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 19

Supporting people with social issues like employment & housing, they offer life-changing support.

The government must recognise their value if they are serious about ensuring everyone gets the support they deserve:

Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead

Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

thinkahead.org

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 19

🚨 There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness.

Mental health social workers are vital professionals who can make such a difference to people’s life - but we need more of them.

#SocialWorkMatters

Graphic of 8 icons of people. 7 of them are are a teal colour and one of them is yellow. Underneath the eight figures black text reads 'There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness.'

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Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 12

If the government is serious about its aims of moving from “sickness to prevention” and “hospital to community”, it must recognise the potential of mental health social work.

Ready why #SocialWorkMatters:

Social work matters – our case for investment - Think Ahead

Social work matters – but it’s continuously undervalued and overlooked by policy makers. This World Social Work Day we’re launching our Social Work Matters campaign to ensure that everyone with severe mental illness has access to a mental health social worker. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in frontline roles but want to be sure […]

thinkahead.org

Think Ahead @thinkaheadmh.bsky.social · Aug 12

📢Everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker.

Mental health social workers provide life-changing support – but the profession is continuously misunderstood, undervalued and overlooked.

Green background with white and yellow text that reads 'everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker.'

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