House of Commons · General Debate
25 January 2023 · 1 other contributor
Opened by Dean Russell Con Watford
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Dean Russell raised concerns about first-aid (mental health) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Moves for a Bill to mandate mental health first-aid training as part of regular workplace safety requirements, emphasising the rising prevalence of mental health issues post-COVID and the economic benefits of such measures. He highlights that mental health is underfunded and often stigmatized, but with increased awareness and support through training, lives can be saved and businesses can benefit from reduced absences and improved productivity.
Argues that mental health first-aid training should become a mandatory part of the workplace to reduce stigma and provide support for employees suffering from mental health issues. He mentions the Centre for Mental Health's estimate of 10 million more people needing mental health support due to the pandemic, and cites Deloitte’s report which states that £56 billion is lost annually by UK businesses due to mental health-related absences.