Up to 159 new NHS mental health centres to open across England

People in Newcastle and across England are set to get mental health help earlier and closer to home, after the government announced on 6 August 2026 plans for 159 new NHS mental health facilities. The £343 million rollout includes 100 community mental health centres, offering walk-in support without a referral, and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments for people in crisis. The announcement did not say where the new facilities will be located.

The first sites open from autumn this year, with further facilities following from March 2027. Some community hubs will be newly built, while others will be in libraries, banks and other community or high-street locations. They will bring 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 new mental health emergency departments will be located with existing emergency departments and will work closely with ambulance and police services. They will provide same-day specialist support for people in crisis who are medically fit and do not need treatment in A&E. The rollout will take the number of dedicated mental health emergency departments in England to 82.

According to the announcement, 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. 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."

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."

The plans are the first phase of a wider rollout set out in the 10 Year Health Plan and form part of a forthcoming mental health strategy. Brian Dow, deputy chief executive at Rethink Mental Illness, said the expansion was "a vital step", building on the promising results of existing pilot sites.