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The plans include 100 new Community-Based Mental Health Centres and 59 Mental Health Emergency Departments.

The new community mental health centres will offer walk-in support without the need for a GP referral, helping people access care before their mental health reaches crisis point.

Many of the centres will be based in community locations such as libraries, former banks and other high street buildings rather than traditional healthcare settings. They will bring together mental health specialists, GPs, councils and voluntary organisations, as well as services offering housing and employment support.

The aim is to provide more joined-up care while making services easier to access.

Alongside the community hubs, 59 dedicated Mental Health Emergency Departments will provide specialist support for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Located alongside existing emergency departments, these units will offer same-day assessments in a calmer environment for patients who do not require physical treatment in A&E.

This will more than triple the number of specialist mental health emergency departments in England, increasing the total from 23 to 82.

The first new facilities are expected to open from autumn 2026, with more sites following from March 2027.

Of the 159 planned locations, 57 will be newly built while 102 will involve converting existing buildings into mental health facilities.

Funding includes £187 million for the community mental health centres and £156 million for the emergency departments.

New facilities are planned across every region of England, including Greater Manchester, Birmingham, London, Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, Sussex, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Hertfordshire, although final locations remain subject to approval.

The community hubs are the first part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, which focuses on shifting mental health care from crisis response to early intervention and prevention.

An upcoming Mental Health Strategy is expected to expand on these plans by considering the role of schools, employers, councils and voluntary organisations in supporting mental wellbeing.

By improving access to local services and specialist crisis care, the government hopes more people will receive help earlier, reducing waiting times and easing pressure on hospitals while improving outcomes for those experiencing mental health difficulties.