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The Labour Party and Mental Health

ended 04. September 2023

In a letter to Keir Starmer published earlier, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tooting, has today resigned as Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health because “you made clear that you do not see a space for a mental health portfolio in a Labour Cabinet”. You can see her full resignation letter on Twitter >> here <<. If you have any thoughts on this, please send them across ASAP as this story is BREAKING.

2 responses from the Newspage community

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Jenny BlythVerified
Small business owner at Storm in a Teacup Gifts
Mental Health is the one of the most essential things that this country needs support with and for Keir Stamer to say he doesn't see a portfolio in his cabinet is not only short sighted but potentially fatal.

As someone with a vested interest in mental health support I have backed Dr Khan for a very long time and have worked hard to raise the issues in the mental health services within my own community.
We have people not just slipping through the cracks but actually at danger whilst in the care of mental health teams.

Our mental health as a country took a beating during Covid and now during the cost of living crisis the rise in depression and stress is exponential. As a small business owner I find myself dealing with new levels of stress and the thought that Kier Starmer does not seem to care worries me.

I cannot in good faith say I would continue to support the Labour Party in an upcoming election with this news.
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Dr Suhail Hussain0
Private GP at Dr Suhail Hussain
It is no surprise to see Starmer backing away from this pledge, as with so many purported causes he said he would not abandon. It is clear that where significant sums of money are required Labour are not willing to commit. As a GP with over 20 years’ experience I have seen the debacle that passes for mental health care. People are left waiting for talking therapy for months, can’t get to see a psychiatrist and put on (ineffective) SSRIs by overstretched GPs. Not tackling this problem directly will lead to more ill health – both mental and physical – as there is a direct correlation between psychological ill health and physical problems. We haven’t even got on to deal with the biggest killer of young men; suicide – totally shocking, but not unexpected.