Our campaigns

Keeping politicians informed

We keep politicians up to date on the issues that matter to you by providing briefings, asking questions and attending meetings in Westminster.

We also provide advice and support to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health (APPGMH). Many of our briefings are available on this website, so you can send them to your MP.

Crisis care campaign

A mental health crisis can happen to anyone. For many it is the point where we hit rock bottom and need help, urgently. We know that good crisis care exists that is compassionate and kind. But we need it available everywhere.

Download this short briefing for MPs which summarises what they can do to fight for good crisis care for their constituents. It also highlights the state of crisis care nationally and the findings of our 2011 report, 'Listening to experience'.

Welfare

Mind fights to protect the interests of people on benefits with mental health problems on several fronts: the language used around benefits; the specifics of the Work Capability Assessment; changes to Disability Living Allowance; and the content of the new Work Programme.

Download our briefing on the impact of the Work Capability Assessment and our recommendations for improving it.
Download the Disability Benefits Consortium's briefing on the differences between Atos and Capita's delivery of assessments for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Download our response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee's Inquiry into the experience of service users on the Work Programme.

Mental health services

Improving the quality and quantity of mental health services is the highest priority for our supporters. One in four people will experience a mental health problem, yet services remain unacceptably poor and underfunded compared to those for physical health. We want people with mental health problems to receive greater choice in the treatment they receive and timely access to quality services.

Download our briefing on provision of mental health services and our recommendations on how they can be improved.
Download the All Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health's inquiry report on NHS reforms. Mind provides assistance to the group and helped produce this report. It contains recommendations for MPs and the Government on how to make the reforms work for people with mental health problems.

Public Health

Public health services aim to prevent ill health. In terms of mental health, public health services can prevent people who may be at risk from developing mental health problems, and improve the quality of life and physical health of people with existing mental health conditions.

Download our written evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Public Health and Primary Care's inquiry in to the future of a sustainable NHS, in which we believe there is a need for an enhanced role for public mental health.

Social Care

We work to ensure that social care provides practical support to help people to live lives that are as independent and fulfilling as possible. We know that it can also provide valuable support to help people with mental health problems stay well in the community and reduce the need more expensive and less desirable acute mental health care.

Download our submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group Local Government and All Party Parliamentary Group Disability Inquiry on social care reform for working age disabled people
Download our briefing on 'Section 117 after-care' services and the draft Care and Support Bill

Stigma and Discrimination

Nine in 10 people using mental health services report that stigma and discrimination has a negative impact on their lives. It can stop people from seeking help, contribute to personal isolation and prevent people realising their potential. We believe everyone with a mental health problem should be treated fairly, positively and with respect. We run Time to Change with Rethink Mental Illness to end mental health discrimination.

Download our submission to the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into electoral conduct in the UK. It highlights our 2010 general election compact on mental health as an example of best practice for guidance on good electoral conduct.
Download our briefing for MPs and Peers on the Mental Health Discrimination Act 2013. It details the aims of the Bill (as it then was) and the social context behind the need for reform.

Parliamentary Debates

Mind writes briefings for MPs and Peers for Parliamentary debates on a range of topics. These are concise overviews of our policy work and contain recommendations for how politicians can help improve the lives of people with mental health problems.

Download our briefing for politicians on mental health in the new parliamentary session, 2013-2014. It highlights priority areas for MPs and Peers to focus on over the coming year.
Download the joint briefing we produced for the Backbench Business debate on mental health in May 2013.
Download our briefing for an adjournment debate on schizophrenia care in December 2012. It outlines what can be done to improve services helping people who are experiencing an episode of psychosis.
Download our briefing for Peers on the provision of mental health services. The House of Lords debated the issue in October 2012.
Download our briefing for MPs on the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and Atos healthcare. MPs debate their constituents experiences of the WCA in an adjournment debate in Westminster Hall in September 2012 and again in the Main Chamber of the Commons in January 2013.
Download our joint briefing on key mental health issues that we sent to MPs before a landmark four-and-a-half-hour debate on mental health in June 2012. During the debate, four MPs spoke out about their own mental health in what was an emotional first for the House of Commons.

Help for constituents

Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have produced a guide on mental health for MPs and their staff. It contains information on mental health problems, guidance on supporting constituents, and a list of resources and sources of help.

Download a copy of the MPs and Staffer's Guide to Mental Health.

Please get in touch if you would like a hard copy for your office.