General Election Mental Health Hustings in Edinburgh
A Mental Health Hustings took place at Edinburgh’s Augustine United Church on Tuesday 18th June with five political parties ahead of the General Election.
The event was run by three charities – Change Mental Health, Penumbra Mental Health and Health in Mind – who joined together to emphasise that mental health must be prioritised and become top of the agenda at the upcoming election.
A survey from Change Mental Health’s sister charity Rethink Mental Illness has found that 4 in 10 people say mental health will be important in shaping their decision on which party to vote for at the election.
You can view the Hustings back through the video below and read a summary below.
Representatives from the five parties included Vicky Nicolson (SNP), Christopher Cowdy (Conservatives), Michael Davidson (Labour), Simon Jay (Greens) and Sally Pattle (Liberal Democrats).
Topics explored lived experience, tackling stigma, early prevention and better access to services. Sally Pattle stated that there is a “mental health emergency” while Simon Jay spoke about needing to go further as “mental health is part of everyday life”.
There was a particular focus on children and young people, with all panelists talking about the need to build resilience in young people. Christopher Cowdy suggested that “we need to create a generation better prepared for future challenges”.
Elsewhere, panelists were asked about their priorities for mental health, with Vicky Nicolson mentioning the need for more focus on the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme – one delivered by Change Mental Health in Highland, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway and the Western Isles. Michael Davidson said that there is such a close link between physical and mental health, with a need for parity.
View photos from the event below.
other news
