Over 10% of MPS asked for mental health help

MORE than one in 10 MPS have sought help for mental health problems in just one year, data shows.

The report came as politicians warned life atwestminster makes them feel “lost” and “lonely”, while bullying online and from party managers can be hard to deal with.

Exclusive Freedom of Information figures show 69 MPS out of 650 in the House of Commons made an appointment with the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner provided by the Parliamentary Health andwellbeing Service in the 2021-22 financial year.

Another 50 sought assistance in 2022-23, followed by 39 in 2023-24.

A BBC documentary will today highlight the mental health crisis among our politicians, with a warning that “anger and division” is making life a misery for MPS.

Conservative Elliot Colburn – who shocked colleagues in February by revealing he had attempted to take his own life – said eight MPS later told him they had been through similar struggles.

One former Minister said newlyelected MPS were shocked to discover how little power they had.

The MP, who was not named, told BBC Radio 4: “You’re immediately incapable of making a difference.

And I felt completely lost. And actually really lonely.”

Anne Milton, a former deputy chief whip, said the archaic systems of Parliament were based on bullying and intimidation. She said: “The whipping system can be very damaging.

“Traditionally, the whip’s office would withdraw funding from an MP’S constituency.they might contact their political party locally.”

The impact of regular social media abuse was also highlighted as a factor by many politicians.

Carolyn Harris, deputy leader of Labour in Wales, said: “You cannot say anything because the minute you try to justify what happened or put up a defence out, it gives it legs. My mental health was absolutely shot after that.”