The milestone means the government is more than halfway towards its target of hiring an extra 8,500 mental health staff by the end of this Parliament. 

It comes ahead of publication of the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, which will see patients will get better access to support directly through the NHS App, including self-referral for talking therapies, without needing a GP appointment.

By embracing the latest technology across the health service, the plan lays the foundation for patients to access mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the app. This could include opening the door to things like AI-driven virtual support as a first port of call, or health and well-being advice only currently accessible through paid-for apps.

In addition, 85 new dedicated mental health emergency departments will be built with £120m secured in the recent Spending Review. The new emergency units will be staffed by specialist doctors and nurses, providing around-the-clock support for patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Patients can walk in or be referred by GPs to the units, which are set to be open 24/7 and designed to provide a calm environment in contrast to the noise and chaos of major hospitals

Alongside this, a Neighbourhood Mental Health Model, providing open access to specialist services and holistic support in community locations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is already being piloted in six locations.

Further plans for mental health due to be set out in the 10-Year Health Plan include utilising developments in pharmacogenomics, providing patients with personalised prescriptions and treatments. 

Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: ‘Patients have faced the crisis of access to mental health services for far too long, and this government is determined to change that through our Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS. 

‘That's why we're putting digital front doors on mental health services for patients up and down the country and harnessing technology to provide 24-hour care. And we're creating more opportunities for support not just through the NHS App but through care in your community too.  

‘We are already over halfway towards our target of recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and through our upcoming 10 Year Health Plan we will get more people back to health and back to work.'

Alongside the reforms, the government is continuing its rollout of mental health support teams in schools, with almost one million more young people to benefit in education settings this year.  

In addition, plans to set up Young Futures Hubs will make it easier for young people to access mental health, career and pastoral support in their communities, with youth workers, mental health support workers and careers advisers on hand to support young people's mental health.

The public are also encouraged to take positive actions to look after their own mental health, including through creating a personalised Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters NHS website.