"In making the case for mental health to receive the attention and funding it merits, it’s vital to have robust, reliable, up to date evidence about our local population, their use of services and health. The Strategy Unit’s research has been invaluable in helping us work with our partners to review how mental health services are planned, commissioned, funded and delivered in our local area. Their expert analysis shines a light on the shocking fact that people who use mental health services live up to 20 years less than the general population. This will help us make the case for parity of esteem on behalf of the patients / service users, families and local communities we serve."