A Labour MP has told the House of Commons how his nephew took his own life following a period of depression.
Speaking during prime minister’s questions, Karl Turner said more needed to be done to help people with mental health issues.
“Last year my 25 year old nephew Matty committed suicide after a very short period of depression. His GP had reared him for talking therapy counseling but warned him it would be at least six months before he got an appointment,” Turner said.
He told Theresa May getting help for mental health issues on the NHS was currently a “dangerous waiting game” and asked the prime minister to “sort this crisis out”.
May told MPs it was a “terrible tragedy” but insisted there was “record levels of funding” in the NHS for mental health. “It’s why we have established concept of parity of esteem for mental health and physical health,” she said.
“I accept there is more for us to do in this area to ensure those with mental health problems are properly treated are portly given the care and attention they need.”
But Labour’s Luciana Berger accused May of making “yet another broken promise” as spending on mental health had actually been reduced in some clinical commissioning groups.
Useful websites and helplines:Mind, open Monday to Friday,9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393 Samaritans offers a listeningservice which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.) Get Connected is a freeadvice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk