Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham has called for better mental health services in the North East at an event organised by the mental health charity Mind last week. Kevan met with local campaigners and representatives from Middlesbrough Mind and Tyneside Mind to hear the experiences of people living with mental health problems in the North East.
Kevan Jones said: “I was pleased to attend the recent Mind event in Parliament, and to hear from local mental health campaigners. Mental health problems affect a huge number of people and it is vital that we continue to strive to improve mental health services.”
Louise Rubin, Parliamentary Manager at Mind, said: “Supporting constituents with mental health problems is one of the biggest challenges an MP faces today, so we were really delighted to see Kevan Jones at our event this week. Every year, mental health problems will affect one in four people in their constituency, which is more people than will develop heart disease or cancer.
“All parties have committed to valuing mental and physical health equally and we’ve now reached a critical stage in determining the future of mental health and wellbeing in our country. Much of the power to make a difference now sits with local decisions makers so MPs play a vital role in securing good quality support for people in their constituency, as well as promoting mental health at a national level.”