Christine Jardine’s column is a bit different this week. She writes about how her late husband, Calum, was affected by Bipolar Disorder. Calum Macdonald was a brilliant journalist, working for the Herald in Glasgow for many years. Although they were separated at the time of his death from a heart attack during the 2017 election […]
mental health
Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 #EmpowerHalfHour
The Where’s Your Head At? campaign launched a Workplace Manifesto on Monday. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019, this campaign is raising awareness of how employers and businesses can better support their employees’ mental health and well-being. It is a straightforward manifesto which the campaign is calling all employers to sign. The principals, […]
Great news that the Mental Capacity Bill is set to pass final stages
I have been watching the progress of the Mental Capacity Bill closely. One of the reasons I, and many activists I’m sure, became involved in politics was because of our concern over mental health, the marginalised, and mental capacity issues. Indeed, my other half researches in this area, so I have an in-house expert on […]
When it comes to mental health, all’s fair in love and leafleting
We all feel it. Brexit is a battleground. It’s muddy trenches that stink to high heaven whichever side of it you’re on, and like sticky quicksand it’s near impossible to escape. What’s more, the confrontational atmosphere is contributing to a mental health crisis in our political system, one that needs addressing fast. For someone used […]
10 April 2019 – the overnight press releases
Report proves need for a transformational investment in mental health The Liberal Democrats have called for a “transformational investment in mental health” following a report by the Children’s Commissioner for England which shows over a third of local areas have cut real terms spending on ‘low level’ children’s mental health services. Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson […]
Ruby Wax is appointed Chancellor of Southampton University – with a focus on mental health
Embed from Getty Images This is very refreshing news. American actress, comedian, mental health campaigner, lecturer and author, Ruby Wax has been appointed Chancellor of Southampton University. Southampton University is a research-intensive establishment with around 25,000 students. It is a founding member of the leading Russell Group of British Universities. Its notable alumni have included […]
Lib Dem bill to bring in mental health checks for new mums
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. And today, in advance of IWD 2019 our Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse will introduce a Bill to improve mental health care for new mothers. I welcome this legislation. As a mother of three, I am well aware of what is currently offered to new mothers. It is not enough. This campaign […]
Lib Dem bill to bring in mental health checks for new mums
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. And today, in advance of IWD 2019 our Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse will introduce a Bill to improve mental health care for new mothers. I welcome this legislation. As a mother of three, I am well aware of what is currently offered to new mothers. It is not enough. This campaign […]
Claire Tyler writes: Children need better access to mental health care
Mental health care in this country needs radical transformation. Both adult and children’s mental health services continue to be plagued by long waiting times, lack of access to treatment and chronic staff shortages. For children, the average wait between their first symptoms developing and being able to access treatment is estimated to be a horrifying […]
Norman Lamb’s message for Time to Talk Day
Today is Time to Talk Day. Norman Lamb was probably the best Minister we had in the Coalition years. He did so much to try to change the culture of the NHS on mental health. And what I particularly liked was that there was no bullshit from him. If something wasn’t good enough, he owned […]