The portfolio was further expanded in October 2018, on World Mental Health Day, to include suicide prevention.

This occurred while the UK government hosted the first ever global mental health summit.

[2] In July 2019, Nadine Dorries was appointed to the position in the incoming Johnson ministry, with additional responsibility for patient safety.

[5] The minister committed to an increase in government spending on mental health as a result of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Johnson's tenure was unusually short, due to the collapse of the government in the following month.