Mind statement on the Women’s Mental Health Taskforce report
The government’s Women’s Mental Health Taskforce has set out its recommendations for healthcare that integrates gender and trauma into its approach. The taskforce, which was chaired by Minister Jackie Doyle-Price and Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive of women’s charity Agenda, has published its findings in a report today.
The taskforce was formed last year to look at why mental health is worsening among women and the reasons women are experiencing inadequate support from mental health services.
Mind’s Director of External Relations, Sophie Corlett, was involved in the development of the report and the taskforce also listened to women with lived experience of mental health problems to ensure their views were reflected in it.
Responding to the report, Vicki Nash, Head of Policy and Campaigns said:
“We at Mind welcome the publication of the Women’s Mental Health Taskforce report and it’s right to see mental health recognised as a key part of healthcare planning.
The report outlines crucial recommendations including explicitly taking into account women’s needs in the development of mental health policies, making sure healthcare across the NHS considers the impact which trauma can have on people’s lives. The recommendations also acknowledge that the societal roles women have as mothers and carers are important in planning for mental health services and treating people with mental health problems.
Too many women struggle to get appropriate and timely support from mental health services and are sometimes left further traumatised by the treatment they receive. We also regularly hear how women are left feeling like they do not have a voice in decision-making about their mental health treatment. This can’t continue.
Tangible action must now be taken to deal with the rising rates of mental health problems among women and girls. These recommendations must be implemented and change will only be possible with government action. The NHS must use this report to improve women’s experiences of mental health services so they get the help they need, when they need it. We expect mental health to be a priority in the upcoming Long-Term Plan for the NHS in order to make the recommendations in this report a reality.
This report is a positive step but to truly transform women’s experiences, we need the whole government to work together so there is a joined up approach which tackles problems with social care, justice, housing, health and benefits. Only then will women with mental health problems get the support they deserve.”
