In a passionate speech in the House of Commons Yesterday (16th), Charles Walker MP highlighted his concerns about proposed changes to mental health law. Labeled the 'mental health champion' for Hertfordshire, Charles spoke about the real stigma facing people with mental health problems. He mentioned a meeting with a local service user who describes the day to day challenges which the label Schizophrenia posed and reminded others in the House that mental health problems can affect us all.

In concluding, the concerns of the Mental Health Alliance were also highlighted. Charles said:

'79 members of the Mental Health Alliance would not be supporting the Lords amendments or opposing the Government’s original drafting if the Bill would not massively extend the scope of the existing provisions to people who for good reasons should not be covered by the new legislation. I cannot believe that the 79 members of the MHA have got it wrong, or that the BMA and the Institute of Psychiatry have got it wrong.....The MHA is purely dedicated to looking after the interests of those who suffer from mental illness and I take their advice very seriously.

To read the debate, click on the link below.

Simon
Viewpoint Webteam