PM’s mental health revolution

THERESA May yesterday pledged to tear up mental health legislation and boost staff numbers by 10,000 to treat NHS patients suffering from psychiatric disorders.

In the biggest shake-up in 30 years, the Prime Minister wants to ensure ‘every school’ is equipped to deal with problems such as cyber-bullying.

Mental health care has long been considered a ‘Cinderella’ NHS service and shortfalls in services provided were one of the ‘burning injustices’ identified by Mrs May last July in her first speech as Prime Minister.

The promise follows campaigns to raise the profile of mental health – such as the Heads Together initiative led by Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge. Yesterday, the Conservative leader pledged to scrap the ‘flawed’ 1983 Mental Health Act if re-elected after concluding it is ‘unfit for purpose’.

Policies designed to end discrimination in mental health treatment and make provision suitable for the 21st century will be implemented instead.

These will be designed to halt a steep rise in the number of vulnerable people being detained in police cells instead of being treated.

To back up the plans, 10,000 more NHS staff will be assigned to mental health work in the next three years to boost treatment. Mrs May promised to introduce ‘ sweeping’ reforms to the Equalities Act to prevent discrimination at work.

This would ensure sufferers from intermittent conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are given the same protection granted to those with problems that have lasted more than 12 months.

Under Mrs May’s plans, children in schools in England and Wales will be taught more about mental well-being, especially in relation to keeping safe online and cyber-bullying.

Janet Davies, of the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘The NHS needs to see hard cash to deliver any plans.’ Marjorie Wallace, of the mental health charity Sane, described the plans as ‘a major victory’ for campaigners.