“We cannot afford to repeat the failures of the past” – Mind Chief Executive comments on opening of Module 10 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry
Ahead of the opening of Module 10 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry which will examine the ‘Impact on society’ Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, issued the following comment. Dr Hughes will be appearing at the Inquiry on February 19.
Dr Sarah Hughes, said:
“The pandemic created a national mental health emergency in multiple, profound ways. Anxiety, bereavement and isolation affected millions, while people with existing mental health problems saw vital support reduced or disrupted when they needed it most. The Inquiry’s decision to examine the mental health impacts of the pandemic is essential to learning the lessons and ensuring this does not happen again.
“The evidence is clear that the pandemic did not affect everyone equally. Racialised communities, people in poverty, disabled people and those with severe mental illness faced disproportionate risks and worse outcomes. These inequalities were not new — Covid simply served to further expose and intensify existing failures in the system.
“Our message is simple: we cannot afford to repeat the failures of the past. Mental health services were already overstretched and unable to cope with growing need even before the pandemic hit. We need long-term investment in services, better training and support for the workforce, and a system built on parity of esteem and resilience — one that delivers high-quality, accessible support every day and can withstand the pressures of any future national emergency. This Inquiry is a critical opportunity to learn lasting lessons and to build a mental health system that protects everyone, at all times.”
