Think Ahead (@thinkaheadmh) — Bluesky Profile

23 hours ago

📣 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

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4 days ago

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

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1 week ago

Wishing all of our Hindu friends, followers, trainees and social workers a Happy Holi. 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️

#HoliFestival #HappyHoli

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1 week ago

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/

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1 month ago

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!

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1 month ago

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 💙

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1 month ago

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/

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1 month ago

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.

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1 month ago

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

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1 month ago

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/

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1 month ago

"[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

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1 month ago

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.

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1 month ago

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.

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1 month ago

Five priorities for fixing community mental health services - Think Ahead In our latest blog, our External Affairs Officer, Florence, reflects on the recent Health and Social Care Committee report into Community Mental Health Services and highlights the five most pressing areas for change. Community mental health services are under enormous pressure: people are waiting too long for care, staff are overstretched, and outcomes remain deeply […]

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:

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1 month ago

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/

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2 months ago

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/

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2 months ago

🎅 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!

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2 months ago

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! ❤️

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2 months ago

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

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2 months ago

Clarity, not caricature, must lead the mental health debate Over the past week, the public discussion on 'mental health overdiagnosis' has been loud, confusing and at times steeped in myth and storytelling. But what is the truth? Are we over-diagnosing?

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.

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2 months ago

"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...

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2 months ago

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.

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3 months ago

Mental health social work: a missing piece in the NHS workforce plan - Think Ahead In our latest blog, our External Affairs Officer, Florence, sets out why strengthening the mental health social work workforce is more urgent than ever. The workforce is the heart of the NHS, but right now staff across the system are under immense pressure trying to deliver high-quality care without the time, resources or support they […]

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

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3 months ago

"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.

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3 months ago

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

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3 months ago

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.

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3 months ago

❓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.

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3 months ago

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.

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3 months ago

Mental health social work: a missing piece in the NHS workforce plan - Think Ahead In our latest blog, our External Affairs Officer, Florence, sets out why strengthening the mental health social work workforce is more urgent than ever. The workforce is the heart of the NHS, but right now staff across the system are under immense pressure trying to deliver high-quality care without the time, resources or support they […]

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:

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3 months ago

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.

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