Norman Lamb: “Strengthened commitment to mental health will transform people’s lives”

On Monday 20th January, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, together with Lib Dem Care Minister Norman Lamb launched their action plan for mental health, "Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health".

The document sets out the Government's 25 key priorities for improving mental health care and support, and clear steps for delivering on those priorities.

Care Minister Norman Lamb commented:

"When at least one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, making sure they get the support they need to live independent and fulfilled lives is essential in delivering a stronger economy and a fairer society.

"Rectifying the profound injustice in the priority given to physical health over mental health has been one of my highest priorities as Health Minister. This renewed and strengthened commitment to mental health will transform people's lives."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

"All too often, attitudes to mental health are stuck in the dark ages; full of stigma and stereotypes. It's time for us to bring mental health out of the shadows and to give people with mental health conditions the support they need and deserve.

"Today we're calling for action - across the NHS, the mental health sector and wider society - to champion change, to transform outdated attitudes and practices and to improve the lives of people with mental health problems.

"We recognise that we've got a mountain to climb. But we're working hard to ensure that the needs of those with mental health problems are considered not just in the NHS, but also across our public sector: with better support in education, employment, the justice sector, housing and elsewhere."

Local Lib Dem Gary Fuller said:

"Mental health has long been the lesser cousin of physical health services in the NHS. There should be no barriers to treating mental ill health, and mental ill health should be no barrier to getting on in life in a fair society."

"Mental ill health, when left untreated, creates a massive burden on the individual, the economy, and society. The stigma attached to mental health can cause irreparable damage to individuals, and to families."

"This announcement fills me with hope that positive changes will occur in mental health services, and in society as a whole. The result of such positive changes will benefit everyone."

Notes

1. The full announcement is available at ow.ly/sKoxI