Mental health services bearing the brunt of NHS cuts

11.16.03am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 14th May 2006

Mental Health Problem's will affect almost all of us

Commenting on the Rethink report A Cut Too Far, warning of the affects of NHS cuts on mental health services, Liberal Democrat Mental Health Campaigner, Simon Davey said:

"This is worrying evidence that mental health services are bearing the brunt of deficits in the NHS.

"The Government promised that mental health would be a priority, yet in too many parts of the country people with mental health problems are the forgotten victims of NHS cuts.

"The Department of Health is clearly unaware of the extent to which this is happening. Ministers are failing to act positively to assure mental health workers and carers that tackling the mental health crisis in Britain is a priority.

"We urgently need an audit of the state of mental health services, as well as a clear plan to tackle the worsening situation."

Simon went on to comment that one in four people will suffer a mental health problem at some point in their lives, higher than the proportion of th population hit my Breast Cancer or Aids. This is a shameful symptom of people's brushing these problems under the carpet and treating them with embarrassment.