James Gray MP has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, asking him to encourage the reform mental healthcare in the UK. In the letter, James gave his support for the Child Mental Health Charter, and supported the calls upon the Government to make this the blueprint for new Mental Health legislation in 2019.
James Gray MP stated:
“I am glad to have been able to support this initiative which seeks to support the emotional well-being and mental health of children. Action is needed to tackle the stigma and discrimination that people with mental health problems experience in the provision of healthcare services. We need to recognise that mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated as such.
It was fantastic that this Charter provides such a well thought out and thorough approach to the provision of mental health care services, that can go some way to supporting both the children, and their parents and carers. I truly hope that the Government will carry out the Prime Minister’s pledge to reform mental health legislation soon, as it is an extremely important issue.”
The Child Mental Health Charter was announced on the 15th March 2019, and it focuses on the needs of children and their emotional well-being. The Charter calls upon the Government to bring forward Mental Health legislation in 2019 following the Prime Minister’s November 2018 pledge to reform the 1983 Mental Health Act. Mrs May’s vision for a new NHS plan affirmed that resources from a total investment of £2.3bn would be allocated to support 350,000 children and young people living with mental health conditions, and offers an opportunity for Parliament to act now to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.