The public need assurances that this government is serious about mental health
We’ll make sure this new Government doesn’t forget about those of us with mental health problems. We know the public is increasingly concerned about mental health and we will continue to hold this Government to account for its actions, says Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind.
“The millions of us living with mental health problems deserve urgently to hear what our new Conservative Government will do to support us and improve our lives.
“Brexit has taken centre stage for three years while pressing problems have been ignored. We cannot wait any longer for meaningful change. Throughout the campaign, we called for all parties to press play on mental health. Yet with only three mentions of it in the Conservative manifesto, compared to 41 in 2017, the public need assurances that this government is serious about mental health.
“Commitments to reform the Mental Health Act, as promised in 2017, were welcome. But that reform is already long overdue and behind schedule. And a promise to treat mental health in the same way as physical health is encouraging but we need to know what that means in practice in terms of spending money on vital services, staff and buildings, where there has been a noticeable lack of focus on mental health. Hundreds of candidates pledged to prioritise these areas during campaigning.
“We also need to see an understanding that too many people with mental health problems are trapped in poverty because of a broken welfare system and lack of protections in the workplace. Lives are at risk unless our new government urgently prioritises reforming Universal Credit and other benefits.
“We’ll make sure this new Government doesn’t forget about those of us with mental health problems. We know the public is increasingly concerned about mental health and we will continue to hold this Government to account for its actions.”
