Context
The UK's mental health system is strained, with long waits for treatment. Rethink Mental Illness reported that 12 times as many people are waiting for mental health treatment compared to physical health treatment; nearly one-third attempted suicide during wait periods.
Question
Our mental health system is still suffering from the strain of 14 years of Conservative government. Rethink Mental Illness has reported that 12 times as many people are now waiting for mental health treatment than for physical health treatment, with nearly a third attempting suicide while waiting and one in five losing their jobs. What are the Government doing to tackle those long waits and offer support to people before they reach crisis point?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Dr Zubir Ahmed)
The 10-year health plan will build on existing work to reduce waiting lists, including an extra £688 million of real-terms investment this year. The Government have already recruited 6,500 mental health staff out of the promised 8,500 by the end of Parliament and are introducing 24/7 mental health crisis support services through NHS 111. Additionally, the Mental Health Bill is in its final parliamentary stages to modernise legislation.
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