Mental health appointment applauded by charity
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October 12, 2018
Mates in Mind, the charity that aims to raise awareness of and address the stigma of poor mental health in the UK construction industry, has welcomed the appointment of Britain’s first minister for mental health and suicide prevention as a significant step in prioritising the nation’s mental wellbeing.
While the NHS has stated that 120,000 more people are getting specialist mental health treatment in 2018 compared to three years ago, it remains a significant challenge across the UK and within the construction industry, this complex issue remains particularly prominent according to Mates in Mind.
In response to the appointment of Jackie Doyle-Price, minister for mental health, inequalities and suicide prevention, Mates in Mind’s executive director said: “Whilst there has certainly been a marked change in the way mental ill-health is being seen across society, it still remains a sensitive and challenging issue for society, and employers. Greater awareness of the prevalence and extent of the challenge is increasingly understood, but how this can be better managed and more importantly, redressed, is far more complex and will take concerted effort on many levels Increasingly, employers are recognising their role in this agenda as well. But we believe we are very much in the early stages of this journey. This ministerial appointment and the funding for Samaritans suggests that the government accepts such a position.”
