Responding to the launch of the government white paper on reforming the Mental Health Act, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Mental health inequalities have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and this white paper is an excellent opportunity to update the law and improve support for everyone who needs it. We strongly support the objective to give people a stronger say in their treatment.
“Councils play a significant role in mental health, both in terms of its statutory duties under mental health legislation and supporting treatment and recovery.
“The challenges with the current Act are also indicative of a system that is under strain because of increased demand and reduced funding. Any reform of the Mental Health Act needs to include ongoing funding for councils’ mental health services, so they can continue to invest in effective support to meet existing, new and unmet demand.”
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