More than one million people with mental health problems will receive help for their condition by 2014, as the Government plans to invest £400m in psychological therapies.

Deputy Prime minister Nick Clegg and health secretary Andrew Lansley launched the 'No Health Without Mental Health strategy' and outlined plans which aim to ensure that mental health awareness and treatment is given the same prominence as physical health for both children and adults.

Research indicates that at least one in four people and 10 per cent of all children and young people experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, with some getting support from those in social care jobs, whilst others receive no help at all.

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of the charity YoungMinds, said: "We commend the government for putting children and young people at the heart of its mental health strategy for the first time."

According to Community Care, the £400m funding will come from existing budgets of primary care trusts (PCTs) over the next four years. PCTs will have to improve counselling services and evidenced-based psychological therapies so patients will be able to require referrals from their GP.

Mental health sufferers will also be able to contact the provider directly for a self-referral consultation, meaning there will be access for everyone that needs it.

Mr Lansley said: "This cross-government strategy will finally place good mental health at the heart of everything we do. For the first time, people of all ages with mental health problems will be able to receive personalised care to reflect their own needs."

"The NHS will also no longer focus its attention on treatment alone- but will move towards early intervention and prevention to deliver outcomes for patients which are among the best in the world."