Stuart Anderson MP has encouraged his constituents to take part in a call for evidence to improve mental health published by the Department for Health and Social Care. The 12-week consultation seeks views on what can be done to improve the current service and develop the Government’s understanding of the causes of mental ill-health. Stuart has welcomed the consultation, which will inform a new ten-year plan to level up mental health services and put it on an equal footing with care for physical health.
Before entering politics, Stuart served in the Armed Forces. Just days before his eighteenth birthday, he suffered a high-velocity gunshot wound to the foot and was then told that his foot and possibly his lower leg would have to be amputated. The weeks of surgery went better than expected and he undertook an extensive rehabilitation programme which enabled him to return to active service within a year. Since becoming an MP in 2019, Stuart has been a vocal advocate for greater investment in mental health support. He was delighted when the Government unveiled plans to invest £500 million through the Mental Health Recovery Plan to support groups most impacted, including children and young people.
Stuart has now spoken of his determination to ensure that those at risk from falling into mental ill-health are quickly helped through earlier, targeted help. He wants as many health and care professionals, those with lived experience of mental ill-health, and members of the public in Wolverhampton to share their views on how support and services should adopt for the future before the call for evidence closes on the 5th of July 2022. The results will shape a refreshed National Suicide Prevention Plan and inform action being taken through the NHS Long Term Plan to better address how local services can work together to meet the practical, social, and emotional needs of the populations they serve. The plan is already seeing an extra £2.3 billion invested in mental health services in England a year. It includes expanding talking therapies to ensure 1.9 million people can access them by 2023/24 and so that an additional 345,000 children are able to access NHS-funded services or school and college-based support by 2024.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “Following the life-changing injuries that I sustained during my time in the Army, I suffered a ferocious battle in my mind. I was blessed to have come through this ordeal with the help of my family and friends. I recognise that others have suffered far worse, so I am determined to see better support provided earlier on. I believe that early intervention would have made my journey a very much better one. That is why I welcome this call for evidence. It is an opportunity to listen to those with lived experience of mental ill-health and those who know and support them. It will ensure that we can level up services available to improve the mental wellbeing of the nation I am proud to have served.”
Take part at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/mental-health-and-wellbeing-plan-di…
