As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Ruth Cadbury MP supported the Royal College of Occupational Therapists call for reducing mental health stigma and creating better wellbeing.
Ruth also visited the Human Library run by Hounslow Wellbeing Network Team to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. Instead of borrowing a book, people came to borrow a 'human book', giving the unique chance to talk face-to-face with someone who will share their experience around wellbeing.
Ruth Cadbury said: "We need your help to change the way people think and act about mental health problems. This Mental Health Awareness Week was a great opportunity to meet various mental health organisations and initiatives. The stigma around mental health must be thrown out and replaced with a parity of esteem between mental and physical health"
West London Mental Health Trust has a single point of access helpline 0300 1234 244 which operates 24/7.
The Wellbeing network is a social network that connects people, organisations and services to improve the wellbeing of local residents and to strengthen our community.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists asked MPs, Peers and Parliamentary staff to 'vote' in an anonymous ballot to highlight the issue of mental health in Parliament. The results of the ballot reveal that:
* Over 8 in 10 said they or members of their family have been affected by mental ill health.
* However 6 in 10 said they felt stigma would be attached to an MP if they publically disclosed they had experienced mental ill health
Julia Scott - Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, said:
"MPs have a vital role to play in reducing stigma and highlighting the valuable role that professions such as occupational therapists can play in better, more appropriate care for people.
"Early intervention and prevention must be the ambition, especially when we have the skills and expertise within the system to deliver this; it is wrong that a majority of those receiving treatments for mental ill health do so when their illness has reached a crisis point."
Attendees then met with people who have benefited from mental health occupational therapy services and spoke to occupational therapists about their work.