Mind Cymru launches manifesto

Posted Wednesday 6 October 2010

Mind Cymru launches its manifesto today, outlining the key priorities for mental health in the run up to the Welsh Assembly elections next year. We are calling on all political parties to take action to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the population of Wales and ensure high quality services to support the one in four people in Wales who experience mental distress. 

After asking people across Wales what they considered to be the most important challenges to improving mental health, Mind Cymru chose five issues that came up most often, such as tackling discrimination and improving access to talking therapies. Between now and the elections in May 2011 we will use the manifesto to lobby all candidates to make mental health a priority in Wales. 

There have been some significant advances in mental health policy and practice in Wales, but urgent improvements are still needed in many areas. The overall cost of mental health problems in Wales is estimated to be £7.2 billion a year, and only 21% of people with a mental health condition are in employment. 

Welsh Assembly Members Andrew Davies (Welsh Labour), Andrew R. T. Davies (Welsh Conservatives), Veronica German (Welsh Liberal Democrats) and Helen Mary Jones (Plaid Cymru) will be debating the manifesto at a launch event in Cardiff later today. 

The following documents are available to download:

• Mind Cymru Manifesto (full copy in English)
• Mind Cymru Manifesto (full copy in Welsh)

• Summary Manifesto (English)
• Summary Manifesto (Welsh)

Each item in the manifesto will be supplemented by a more detailed e-briefing over the coming months. To receive these briefings or find out how to get involved in the campaign, please contact: 

Ruth Coombs,Manager for Influence and Change 
e: r.coombs@mind.org.uk
T: 029 2034 6575                

or 

Rachel Bowen, Policy and Social Inclusion Officer
e: r.bowen@mind.org.uk
T: 029 2034 6588     

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