📣 Next week is #SocialWorkWeek2026! Don’t forget check out the free online events programme from Social Work England🗓️
Go to https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/social-work-week/social-work-week-2026-programme/ to see what’s on and book your place.
#SocialWorkWeek #SWW2026 #SocialWork
It’s #InternationalWomensDay 💜
Give To Gain reminds us that when women thrive, everyone benefits.
Today we’re celebrating mental health social workers who create safety, connection and opportunity every day.
#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #GiveToGain
Wishing all of our Hindu friends, followers, trainees and social workers a Happy Holi. 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️
#HoliFestival #HappyHoli
Mental health social workers should be formally included in the 10-Year Workforce Plan, and everyone with severe mental illness should have access to one.
Read our full recommendations: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/five-priorities-for-fixing-community-mental-health-services/
We’re delighted to share that Michela, one of our Think Ahead participants, was awarded the Silver Award for Newly Qualified Social Worker at the 2025 Social Worker of the Year Awards🌟
We’re incredibly proud of Michela and the impact she continues to make in mental health social work!
Today is #TimeToTalkDay. 💬
A simple conversation can make a big difference. Talking about mental heath helps to reduce stigma and build understanding. Let’s keep the conversation going 💙
Nearly half of those struggling with problem debt live with a mental health issue. We must embed a social approach into clinical social care interventions. Read our recommendations for the Casey Commission - Independent Commission on Adult Social Care. Think Ahead
We need a joined-up #SocialCare system that’s able to provide responsive, preventative care with a social-first approach.
Read our recommendations to the government’s Independent Commission. https://thinkahead.org/publication/submission-to-the-independent-commission-on-adult-social-care/
The Care Quality Commission's annual report on the Mental Health Act makes clear that people are waiting too long for the mental health care they need.
At Think Ahead, we believe a strong, well-supported workforce is vital to protecting rights and delivering timely care.
We've submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care. This Commission will recommend how to reform the adult social care system. Casey Commission - Independent Commission on Adult Social Care. Think Ahead Logo
At the top of the graphic is a Think Ahead logo and Casey Commission - Independent Commission on Adult Social Care. Read our full recommendations on the website - thinkahead.org/news.
We've submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care.
We're calling for:
1. Modern, integrated systems
2. Social, holistic support
3. Workforce investment
https://thinkahead.org/publication/submission-to-the-independent-commission-on-adult-social-care/
#AdultSocialCare
Cut out photo of Ben, a mental health social worker with Think Ahead, and his quote: "We work closely with the NHS Community Mental Health Team, with the shared goal of making a positive difference to people's lives."
Closer working across local authority and NHS mental health teams is essential for joined-up care.
Ben works in the Cheshire West Specialist Mental Health Social Care team, in the same office as his local NHS Community Mental Health Team.
https://thinkahead.org/story/bens-story/
!["[Mental health] workforce shortages and retention issues are acute. High turnover, limited career progression and poor recognition of mental health social workers compromise continuity of care and integration."
Health and Social Care Committee 2026 Community Mental Health Services Summary 2024-26
In the bottom right of the graphic is a front cover of the Health and Social Care Committee's report into Community Mental Health Services in the UK.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4oau7tjdnazsjq5utibbsjup/bafkreigzsxjvmprih3kfbrur4zfyvimywrobuewqt5k2temgstylvuu4oq)
"[Mental health] workforce shortages and retention issues are acute. High turnover, limited career progression and poor recognition of mental health social workers compromise continuity of care and integration." Health and Social Care Committee 2026 Community Mental Health Services Summary 2024-26 In the bottom right of the graphic is a front cover of the Health and Social Care Committee's report into Community Mental Health Services in the UK.
"The 10 Year Workforce Plan must deliver for the mental health workforce and we recommend every person with a severe mental illness have access to a named mental health social worker." Health and Social Care Committee 2026 Community Mental Health Services Summary 2024-26 In the bottom right of the graphic is a front cover of the Health and Social Care Committee's report into Community Mental Health Services in the UK.
The Health and Social Care Committee has identified priorities to improve community mental health services.
The bottom line: support and retain the workforce.
Read our recommendations:
https://thinkahead.org/news-item/five-priorities-for-fixing-community-mental-health-services/
#SocialWorkMatters
Today, we’re supporting Samaritans for #BrewMonday ☕
‘Blue Monday’ might be a myth, but struggling with mental health is very real - and it can happen any day of the year. Today is a good reminder to check in with loved ones, start a conversation, and let people know they’re not alone.
Falling NHS waiting times are welcome, but they tell only half the story. Physical health has targets; mental health does not.
Until mental health is treated with the same urgency, true progress remains out of reach.
The Committee’s findings have provided a clear, evidence-based route forward to ensure our community mental health services can provide the care people need.
Now we need action.
More on the blog:
Image shows a black male social worker smiling with the person he's supporting, a white middle-aged man, Think Ahead logo and text that reads: 5 PRIORITIES FOR FIXING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Health and Social Care Committee report on Community Mental Health Services clearly endorses 5 key issues we raised in our submitted evidence.
The bottom line: we must support the workforce.
https://thinkahead.org/news-item/five-priorities-for-fixing-community-mental-health-services/
Photo of Ben, a mental health social worker, smiling. He has long, light brown hair and a beard, wearing a white dotted shirt. Next to his image, is his quote: "I love the unpredictability of mental health social work. It's fulfilling in a completely different way than I expected."
What’s on your 2026 career development list? Ben’s aiming for Approved Mental Health Professional training.
He's worked with Cheshire West Council specialist mental health team since joining our programme in 2024, and now he’s ready to take the next step.
https://thinkahead.org/story/bens-story/
Graphic shows text that reads: "Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating" over a turqoise background, with Christmas lights, presents, a waving Santa and Think Ahead logo.
🎅 Happy festive holidays from all at Think Ahead! 🎄
Our offices are closed from today, Wednesday 24th December, reopening Monday 5th January.
We wish all of our trainees, alumni, staff, partners and followers a relaxing festive break!
Photo of a mental health worker and her client sitting on a sofa. She is comforting the woman by holding her hand and placing her other hand on her shoulder. Text reads: "Thank you! to all mental health and social care teams working over Christmas."
Many people working in the mental health and social care sectors will be continuing to support people in need this Christmas.
So to all those who are working through the festive period, THANK YOU from everyone at Think Ahead - we appreciate you! ❤️
Mental health and substance use needs are still treated separately, despite being deeply connected. This leads to fragmented care and poor outcomes. DHSC’s Delivery Framework sets out a vision for joined-up care. We’re launching training to help make it happen. Email training@thinkahead.org
As this blog from @rethinkcharity.bsky.social sets out, people can’t simply “self-diagnose” their way to long-term benefits.
Over-diagnosis is more nuanced than headlines suggest.
"The review will examine trends across mental health, ADHD and autism diagnostic thresholds and variations in clinical practice; social, economic and cultural drivers of rising demand, impacts on employment, education and the NHS, and options for earlier intervention and system reform. Guided by evidence rather than conjecture, we should be confident that this review will provide clarity and, crucially, help ensure people get the right support at the right time."
Public debate on mental health “over-diagnosis” has been loud since the government announced its review into service demand.
We support the review – a clear, evidence-based picture of what’s really happening is essential.
But clarity must go hand in hand with action...
Mental health social workers stand up for people's rights and ensure their safety
Mental health social work is built on respecting people’s rights and understanding their needs.
Social workers are specially trained to interpret the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Human Rights Act to ensure those rights are protected and personalised support is in place.
Mental health is not just a health issue - it's very much a social one.
We need more mental health social workers.
Read more from our External Affairs Officer, Florence Makin👇
https://thinkahead.org/news-item/mental-health-social-work-a-missing-piece-in-the-nhs-workforce-plan/
#SocialWorkMatters
"Improving mental health outcomes requires scoordinated action across health, social care, housing, education and employment, not treating each issue in isolation. We need the whole-person, systems-aware approach of mental health social work." Florence Makin External Affairs Officer, Think Ahead
We need to take a holistic, whole-person approach to mental health care.
Coordinated action across NHS and local authority teams in health, social care, housing, education and employment.
Helping people stay well within their communities, reducing the need for emergency or hospital-based care.
Mental health social work is the missing part of the NHS workforce puzzle. We need more mental health social workers. #SocialWorkMatters
Social factors influence wellbeing:
- Stable employment
- Financial pressures
- Secure housing
- Relationships
- Isolation
- Trauma
So where is the recognition and investment in mental health social workers within NHS workforce planning?
#SocialWorkMatters #MentalHealth #SocialCare
They might:
• Work with other mental health professionals such as nurses, psychologists, or psychiatrists.
• Connect people with support from services such as supported housing and drug and alcohol services.
All of this ensures that the right support is in place for someone at the right time.
❓What does a mental health social worker do?
We’re breaking down the role so everyone understand the vital role they play in supporting people with mental health needs.
Mental health social workers connect people to other support they might need.
A clear message from the Health and Social Care Committee. Mental health social workers are essential, and people with SMI should have access to a social worker they can rely on.
Read the full report: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-psychiatric-morbidity-survey/
And read why mental health social work is vital:
Graphic shows seven people icons with one person highlighted in a different colour, and text that reads: 1 in 7 adults with severe mental health symptoms requested treatment in the past year which they did not get. (Source: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey)
The findings from the latest Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey are clear: poverty, debt, and unemployment drive poor mental health.
We can’t improve mental health without addressing the conditions people live in.
This is why #SocialWorkMatters.
