I write this petition from a place of deep passion and concern for our nation's mental health, fueled by my own experiences and those of countless others who face daily struggles. The silent epidemic of mental health issues is debilitating families, communities, and countries worldwide. Yet, the government continues to prioritize physical health over mental health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Despite this staggering fact, mental health still remains a sidelined issue in the health policies of our nation.

We urge the government to acknowledge the importance of mental health as it does physical health. Mental health must be included in major health milestones and comprehensive plans. We require a shift in perspective, a change in approach – one that considers mental wellbeing as integral to overall health.

The neglect of mental health in our societal systems and policies has consequences, leading to what we're facing today - a mental health crisis. It's high time we address and prioritize this silent emergency equally if not more, as it pertains to the very essence of our humanity—the mind and the soul.

Join us in challenging the government to take mental health as seriously as physical health. Please sign this petition and lend your voice to this vital cause.

The last three years I have struggled with severe depression.Every year I end up in a really dark place.It is exhausting having to pick myself back up everytime.My last depressive episode lasted from this June to December.When your severely depressed you feel nothing.The colour goes out of the world you don't feel happy or sad you just feel numb,you just exist and hold on to hope that one day you will get through it.

Getting more funding into mental health in the NHS is one way I feel i could try and help others who are struggling.I know that creating a petition hardly ever leads to change but atleast it raises awareness about the lack of services in mental health. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2013 at 24 years old after being ill whilst pregnant,i went through a very traumatic pregnancy.At that time mental health wasn't talked about as much.The stigma was worse.Over the years I have witnessed how a lack of funding affects Mental Health services.Not enough psychiatrists, psychologists,talking therapies.Psychiatrists would rather work in the private sector as there is more money to earn.The mental health act hasn't been changed since the 1980s and it Is 2024/2025.How has this been allowed to happen?

The mental health crisis in this country isn't just going to go away.We need real change not empty promises that never amount to anything.

People deserve better.Young people deserve better.

Anonymous 

2011 /2012 i had become pregnant at 24 after coming back from volunteering abroad.I had suffered a very severe depressive episode before this.My behaviour started to change overnight.I was cold angry full of rage which was not my personality.My mother had taken me to ST Tydfils hospital in Wales.I was also suffering with severe morning sickness.I had been in an abusive relationship before i was pregnant.I was not offered any mental health support.During that time the temperatures were below freezing.I became homeless, i walked around in the bitter conditions in the day and night.It got to the point that i was so cold i lay down outside a veterinary practice.I had given up i hadnt been believed when i tried to tell people that my ex had being physically and mentally abusing me.I was trauma bonded to my ex.I had also been getting counselling from womens aid before i went volunteering abroad.Someone had seen me outside the veterinary practice,he was a fire fighter so i got up and went to a phone box to phone an ambulance for myself.Still i was offered no mental health support.I was actually going through mania but the mental services did not believe i was mentally ill.My ex took a restraining order out against me but i broke my bail conditions.I was arrested taken to the police station.I was put in a suit thats supposed to stop you hurting yourself.

The next day i went to court.Mental health refused to come down to the court as they said there was no evidence that i was mentally ill.As i was a danger to myself i went to prison for a couple of days i I was on a hospital wing just to stop me from making myself more ill and walking around in the bitter cold.I still was refused any mental health help.I was still suffering with severe morning sickness.Whilst in prison i got seriously ill i was taken to a hospital in Bristol.I was severely dehydrated and i was put on a drip.My weight had gone down to 6 and a half stone.I spent a month on remand.I was seen by a psychiatrist whilst in prison who said i had a personality disorder.I was given a suspended sentence and had to go to probation.The judge could see i was clearly unwell but i still was not taken in as an inpatient in St Tydfils hospital.I kept getting more and more ill until i was going through psychosis.My mother had to plead with mental health services to see me.This was now March 2012.I went through a very traumatic time and i also had an overactive thyroid.From the December till the March i was not given the mental health treatment i clearly needed and i could have died from hypothermia they let me down..I made a complaint to the health board about 3 years later.They said they did not make any mistakes.If they had given me the support and treatment i urgently needed.i would never have gone to prison and i was very lucky that i survived this traumatic time.I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2013.

The story above is what happens when there's less funding in mental health care.There must be laws against this.