Rethink: Miliband is right to say mental health is an ‘afterthought’ for NHS
In response to Labour Leader Ed Miliband’s statement that mental health is an ‘afterthought’ for the NHS, Paul Jenkins, CEO of the charity Rethink Mental Illness said:
“Mr Miliband is absolutely right to highlight how badly people with mental health problems are being let down. Just 13% of the NHS budget goes towards treating mental health, even though it accounts for 23% of the health problems they treat. Until that basic inequality is resolved, people with mental health problems will continue to get a raw deal.
“Just 1 in 10 people with severe mental illness, for example, are currently getting access to all the treatments recommended for their condition. We would never accept this state of affairs for people with cancer and we should not accept it for people with mental health problems.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact Rachel Hobbs, Media Manager for Rethink Mental Illness on 0207 840 3138 or email rachel.hobbs@rethink.org
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 Hobbs
News and Media Manager, Rethink Mental Illness
0207 840 3138
Tweet me! @Rachel_Rethink
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