Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. Yesterday we marked World Mental Health Day, and this Government is steadfast in its commitment to improve the protection of and support for mental health and well-being. This is demonstrated through my appointment as dedicated Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being and the positioning of mental health as a priority in our programme for government.

As we emerge from the pandemic, the mental health impact of coronavirus is becoming even clearer. Services are reporting an increased number of referrals with more complexity. Each month, although our local primary mental health services teams receive more than 5,000 referrals, more than 17,000 people are receiving care and treatment from specialist mental health services. There is increasing demand for people needing psychological therapies and crisis support, with more than 1,200 referrals to crisis resolution and home treatment teams each month. Against this backdrop, I am acutely aware that the current cost-of-living crisis is likely to add to the challenge.

We are reaching the end of our 10-year 'Together for Mental Health' and 'Talk to me 2' strategies, and I want to take this opportunity to update Members on progress, the independent evaluation of these strategies and our next steps. We have come a long way since the publication of both strategies, and the services, support and investment that we have today demonstrates a significant step change compared with what was in place in 2012. In that time, our annual ring-fenced investment to the NHS for mental health has risen from £577 million to £760 million. We've also committed a further £50 million in 2022-23, rising to £90 million in 2024-25 to support mental health and well-being.