I, along with my family and friends and nearly 30,000 other people in derbyshire alone, depend heavily on talking therapy. As beneficiaries of these services, we appreciate the solace that accompanies having someone to share our worries with, without the stress of huge costs. Taking this platform away would not only rob us of a crucial therapy routine but also may imperil our primary outlet to air our thoughts and feelings, not to mention the potential loss of jobs. We strongly believe that removing talking therapy will significantly impact a multitude of people's mental health. 

In England, roughly one in four people experience mental health problems each year, with one in six people reporting a common mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week, according to Mind, a leading UK mental health charity. Given these facts, the essential role of talking therapy cannot be overstated. The NHS provides this service under the umbrella of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) initiative. It is a critical component in tackling these escalating figures and achieving better mental health outcomes.

Consequently, we implore the government to continue providing free access to talking therapy through the NHS. Join us in preserving this vital mental health service and prioritise public health. Please, sign this petition today.