In the UK, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem. 1/5 of people experience suicidal thoughts. Around 1 in 8 people receive treatment for their issues. We want more people to be able to easily access mental health services and help reform the way society is right now so that the chances of people suffering mental health is lowered significantly.

We would like the following points to be raised, debated, and discussed in parliament.

1) People with a disadvantaged socio-economic background are significantly more likely to suffer mental health issues, more so if they are people of colour. Certain BAME groups are more likely to face certain mental health issues than other backgrounds. Giving children a better start in life and ensuring they have access to the right tools for a good start would help MASSIVELY. Making children access clubs, organisations, and mentoring for free is a way to help with things like confidence, development, and the chances of a stable, healthy life style.

2) Allowing for mental health issues to be taught across schools as part of the curriculum. We think that teaching things like talking about feelings from a young age would be a good way to help people open up and cope better as teenagers/adults. Allowing children in primary school to learn emotions and describe how they feel is a healthy way to start off. It normalises negative feelings and will reduce the stigma around talking about problems for the next generation. This education should also revolve around trauma-based mental health for teenagers and young adults to allow for less of a chance of ill mental heath due to traumatic experiences and to normalise getting help.

3) Funding for public mental health services has fallen by 8% since 2010. This has impacted bed shortages, emergency crisis reponses, and waiting teams. As a modern society we should all recognise and notice that mental health is more important than ever. Cuts to such important services are unacceptable with 11.2% of every 100,000 people comitting suicide in 2018. We want public serviced to have an increase in funding so they can function better.

I implore that you sign this petition and write to your MPs concerning the issues. We need this now more than ever. 

Thank you for your time.