Mental health must get same priority as physical health, says Rethink Mental Illness
Commenting on figures released today by former Care Minister Paul Burstow, which reveal a ‘postcode lottery’ on mental health spending, Paul Jenkins, CEO of the charity Rethink Mental Illness said:
“These figures highlight how patchy mental health care is across the country, which our members know only too well. Just 10 per cent of people with severe mental illness are currently being offered talking therapies for example. We have supporters who have sat on NHS waiting lists years for this basic treatment, which should be available to everyone who needs it.
“As our Schizophrenia Commission reported last year, only a small minority of people with severe mental illness are getting the level of care that NICE says they should. We wouldn’t accept this state of affairs for cancer, why should people with mental illness have to endure it?
“Until mental health is given the same priority as physical health, people with mental illness will continue to suffer substandard treatment.”
It comes as a new Commission on mental health is launched today, led by the Liberal Democrat MP and backed by the think-tank CentreForum.
ENDS
For more information, contact Rachel Whitehead, News and Media Manager for Rethink Mental Illness on 0207 840 3138
Notes to editors
Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness.
For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other. We run services and support groups that change people’s lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness.
We directly support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone.
We give information and advice to 500,000 more and we change policy for millions.
For more information go to www.rethink.org
Rachel Whitehead
News and Media Manager, Rethink Mental Illness
0207 840 3138
Tweet me! @Rachel_Rethink
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