Manifesto hat-trick on talking therapies
Posted: Wednesday 14 April 2010
In a major breakthrough for the We Need To Talk coalition, all three main political parties have stated their commitment to provide better access to psychological therapies in the next Parliament. During a week full of political promises and election activity Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have all released their manifestos for the upcoming general election and each one refers to the provision of talking therapies for those experiencing mental distress.
These commitments have been welcomed by the coalition and The New Savoy Partnership, the group of leading organisations campaigning to ensure that within five years the NHS is able to offer a full range of evidence-based psychological therapies to everyone who needs them within 28 days of requesting referral.
Speaking for the We Need to Talk coalition Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
It is heartening to see explicit mentions of talking therapies in the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat manifestos. This is a significant first step towards guaranteeing fair access to psychological therapies to all that need them.
Being able to access the right kind of therapy can have an immeasurable impact on the life of someone with experience of mental distress. Despite progress via the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, provision of psychological therapies remains hit and miss and some people are consistently not getting the therapy that is right for them. We are still hearing from individuals who have been on waiting lists for up to two years and about the devastating effect this can have on their mental health.
We would urge whoever forms the next Government to address this issue as a matter of urgency and we look forward to working with all three political parties to develop plans to ensure timely access to a full range of psychological therapies for those who so desperately need them.
The manifestos state:
Labour
“We will pioneer better mental health care and tackle the scourge of mental illness. Over the next Parliament more than 8,000 new therapists will ensure access to psychological therapy for all who need it as we seek to change our society’s attitudes to mental illness.”
Conservatives
“[We will] increase access to effective ‘talking’ therapies.”
The Liberal Democrats
“[We will] Improve access to counselling for people with mental health problems, by continuing the roll-out of cognitive and behavioural therapies.”
Notes to editors
- The We Need To Talk campaign is supported by The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy , The British Psychoanalytic Council, The British Psychological Society, The Mental Health Foundation, Mind, The New Savoy Partnership, Rethink, The Royal College of General Practitioners, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and Young Minds. Find out more at: http://www.weneedtotalk.org.uk
- Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. www.mind.org.uk
- For more information, interviews and a range of case studies please contact Mind press office on T: 0208 522 1743 M: 07850 788514 E: press@mind.org.uk ISDN line available: 020 8221 0817.
- Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case.