General Election 2019 Manifesto
We’ve waited long enough
It’s time for a fair mental health system
We know that people living with mental illness face challenges on a number of levels, from poor housing, an unfair welfare system, financial hardship and contact with the criminal justice system. Over the past year we have been encouraged by several developments across mental health.
We’ve seen a commitment to implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, a full independent review of the Mental Health Act, and people living with severe mental illness are now at the heart of the NHS Long-Term Plan. These are all strong developments but with fewer than four in 10 people having access to mental health services we know there is still a long way to go.
That's why we have launched our manifesto for the 2019 general election. We are asking all the main political parties standing to support our three key asks for the future government.
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Create a cross-government mental health strategy
Clinical care is only one part of a bigger package of support needed to give people severely affected by mental illness a meaningful life in the community. Housing, welfare and employment all are a crucial part of giving people severely affected by mental illness the best quality of life possible. Every government department must take action to make a difference. Every government department must take action to make a difference.
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Fair funding for mental health services.
It will take time to turn around the years of chronic underfunding of mental health services. That’s why we must continue to prioritise mental health funding so that people get timely and high-quality support close to home as soon as they first ask for help. We need greater ambition in how mental health services are funded so that people who are severely affected by mental illness are able to access the NHS help they need.
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Modernise the Mental Health Act
In 2019 The Independent Review of the Mental Health Act led by Professor Sir Simon Wessely consulted extensively with professionals, sector organisations, carers and people who have been subject to the Act. If implemented, the recommendations will do more to protect and care for the people subject to the Mental Health Act. It would mean people had more choice and say in their treatment. We are calling for the recommendations of the final report ‘Modernising the Mental Health Act: increasing choice, reducing compulsion’ to be implemented in a new mental health bill, along with sufficient capital funding commitment to upgrade mental health units.
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Ahead of the General Election on 12 December, we are calling on all parties to speak up for people severely affected by mental illness - you can help us by sharing our manifesto on your social media feeds.
We're also proud to be working with the Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Network, Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists to help ensure mental health is a priority for all political parties in this election. Read our collective manifesto in full below.