Rethink welcomes government plans to improve mental health strategy
Thursday, 2 September 2010
12:00 AM
Paul Jenkins, chief executive of mental health charity Rethink, says:
"We welcome the government's commitment to improving mental health strategy. We know from firsthand experience of running IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) services that appropriate psychological therapy at the right time can have a profound impact on an individual's recovery. We are also pleased to see that the government recognises the disparity between mental and physical health, and that plans are afoot to introduce outcome measures which include mental health.
"We urge the government to make sure that it pays attention to the whole spectrum of mental illnesses, including severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Any reshaping of mental health strategy must address the needs of all service users, not just those "on the cusp of depression".
"In order to effectively improve mental health services, we hope the government will engage with all key stakeholders, including mental health charities, to ensure that the voices of service users and carers are adequately heard."
Paul Burstow's comments can be seen at w.communitycare.co.uk
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