I have always considered myself fortunate to have a steady support system, but it became painfully clear how fragile this support can be when my best friend of 37 years, along with several other dear friends, took their lives. The NHS, an institution meant to provide care, support, and hope, was regrettably unable to meet their needs in their most vulnerable times. This isn't just a statistic; these tragedies are personal, and they highlight the critical shortcomings in the mental health care system provided by the NHS.

For years, I struggled with my own mental health challenges under the supposed care of the NHS mental health team. Instead of finding resolution and support, I faced a frustratingly stagnant system where real, tangible help was elusive. What I experienced was the norm – long waiting periods, rushed appointments, and a system that treats mental health as secondary. Many, including my lost friends, have suffered the consequences of this lack of availability, attention, and appropriate care.

It's high time for a comprehensive overhaul of how the NHS administers mental health services. According to NHS England data, one in four adults will experience a mental health problem each year. Despite this, the NHS still prioritizes other health issues, allocating insufficient resources and attention to mental health which should be treated with the same urgency as physical health conditions. The mental health spending per person by the NHS is far below what is required to provide genuine, impactful care to those in need.

**Concrete changes are necessary:**
1. **Increase Funding and Resources:** The NHS cannot continue to rely on limited budgets that fail to address the growing demand for mental health services. We need a substantial increase in funding to hire more qualified psychiatrists, therapists, and support staff.
2. **Reduce Waiting Times:** Long waiting lists are a significant barrier to effective mental health care. Immediate interventions are vital, and structural changes are required to cut down these waiting times.
3. **Holistic Patient Care:** Integrate mental health services with general healthcare to provide a comprehensive treatment plan, ensuring that mental health considerations are included in routine medical check-ups.
4. **Expand Accessibility:** More community-based mental health centres should be established to make services more accessible to those in need, reaching individuals before they reach a crisis point.

5. **The teachings of basic CBT work in secondary schools.** Teach students to learn how to problem solve with day to day challenges with mental health and how to move forward from a young age-setting them up with stronger coping mechanisms for their future.

My hope is that these changes can stop the heartbreaking loss of life and give future generations a chance at the therapy, understanding, and time with professionals they genuinely need. I implore policy makers, stakeholders, and the broader community to recognize this crisis and press for significant reforms.

Please join me in calling for an overhaul of the NHS mental health system. Sign this petition and stand with all who have felt the sting of neglect and the urgent need for change in the mental health care provided by the NHS.