A compassionate country would care as much about people’s mental wellbeing as their physical health.
Unfortunately, that is not the case in Britain today. Those with poor mental health are not getting the treatment and help they deserve.
This situation has been made worse by Covid. During the first lockdown the number of under 18s referred to mental health services rose by 80,000 and the tally of adults needing emergency treatment reached record levels.
The lack of mental health provision means there are not enough beds, specialist nurses or psychiatrists.
That is why the Mirror is demanding the Government ends the lottery in mental health support, establishes mental health hubs across the country and cuts the waiting time between referral and treatment.
We also need to ask why so many people are struggling with their mental health.
That includes looking at the role of social media, the pressures of work and our education system.
And it means recognising that poor housing and deprivation are major factors behind people’s poor mental health.
If experts are to help, they need more money, more support, more understanding.
