Repeated basic errors, a failure to learn lessons and a lack of rigorous systems and procedures have contributed to the ‘non-natural deaths of hundreds of people with mental health conditions’ detained in psychiatric hospitals, prisons and police cells in England and Wales, according to a major new Inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Children’s mental health charity Place2Be has today launched the UK’s first Children’s Mental Health Week (Feb 16-22 February).

On Wednesday 11 February, in parliament, INQUEST launched “Deaths in Mental Health Detention: An investigation framework fit for purpose?” – a report based on INQUEST’s work with families of those who have died in mental health settings and related policy work.

A new survey by the mental health anti-stigma campaign Time to Change reveals that nearly 60% of people with a mental health problem are waiting over a year to tell the people closest to them about it. The data, which shows that stigma is still preventing people from getting support from their family and friends when they need it the most, is being released on Time to Talk Day (today, Thursday 5 February), when the nation is encouraged to break the silence surrounding mental health problems.