I feel incredibly proud to know Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillor Ben Lawrie who has talked about his experience of Depression in this short film. It takes courage and You should be aware before you watch it that it includes his description of an attempt to take his life. He wants to share his experience to […]
Op-eds
The dire state of mental health services
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recent report on mental health provision is damning. Titled Maintaining momentum: driving improvements in mental health care, Rob Behrens’ analysis confirms what we already know: mental health services are in crisis and people are suffering and dying because of it. The case studies are harrowing. Mr Behrens’ says: The […]
Bercow, Ten Years On – the #SLCN campaign
I CAN, the children’s communication charity, and The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have launched Bercow: Ten Years On. This report delves into the support, or lack of support, children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) receive in England. Over 2,500 people were consulted about speech and language therapy provision for children and […]
Mental Health is not a finished campaign – we need you more than ever.
I was excited to be speaking with many of our dedicated members, and many energised new members at the fantastic conference in Southport this past weekend. To my joy, I found that mental health is still very much a key focus for our Party. In Coalition, thanks to Norman Lamb, Paul Burstow before him, and […]
Does Vince look fat in this?
Not a question I’ve heard, but I got your attention! The way we view men and women is still fundamentally flawed. I imagine our Lib Dem male MPs have several suits they use in cycle, only having to choose a shirt and tie. But our women MPs? It’s a different matter, though it shouldn’t be. […]
#TreatMeWell campaign launched today
Mencap has launched its Treat Me Well Campaign today, calling for those with Learning Disabilities to be given reasonable adjustments in hospitals. The facts are shocking. Every year, 1200 people with a learning disability die avoidably in hospital care. I blogged this morning on the disgraceful state of PIP and ESA assessments, many suffered by […]
#timetotalk – Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Today is Time To Talk Day – a day to talk about mental health with friends, family and colleagues. Time to Change organises #timetotalk on the first Thursday in February each year. Lib Dem Voice would love to have your stories and thoughts on mental health – please send them in and we will post […]
How you can support LDV’s #timetotalk Day posts
You can’t be truly free if you are constantly fighting illness without the support that you need. That is why Liberal Democrats are so passionate about making sure that people have the right mental health support. For five years during the coalition years, Liberal Democrat ministers were at the helm of pushing through positive change. […]
The January Blues: Desolation
Warning: discussion of suicide Last week in my county division, someone stood at the edge of a motorway bridge with the intention of jumping off. Fortunately, the emergency services got there in time and their life was saved. I know personally the devastation that suicide can bring on family and friends. My close relative died […]
The January Blues: Desolation
Warning: discussion of suicide Last week in my county division, someone stood at the edge of a motorway bridge with the intention of jumping off. Fortunately, the emergency services got there in time and their life was saved. I know personally the devastation that suicide can bring on family and friends. My close relative died […]