Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has continued his campaign to improve the nation’s mental health, meeting with experts and leading charities to discuss what more can be done.
Recently the Penrith MP met with physician and television personality Dr Alex George to discuss his role as the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador within the Department for Education, as well as Baton of Hope organising committee members Andrea Sparke and George Sullivan ahead of their UK-wide tour inspiring hope to save lives.
Both conversations came back to the need for better intervention before mental health issues turn into crises. Dr Alex George spoke about his work on Early Support Hubs, which could provide young people a central point to access wellbeing support as soon as they notice the onset of symptoms and without needing an appointment. Moreover, the Baton of Hope delegation referenced their own mental health experiences and the benefit earlier support would have given those affected with their long-term outcomes.
Having triggered an Inquiry on Rural Mental Health on the EFRA Committee, and having worked closely with suicide-prevention campaigners 3 Dads Walking to get safe age-appropriate suicide awareness on school curricula, the Veterinary MP is also continuing his push to get more people mental first aid trained in schools and workplaces, as well as widening access to mental health support in rural areas and with at-risk professions.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“I will keep banging the drum when it comes to improving mental health but as the experts keep telling me, raising awareness and talking about mental wellbeing is crucial to breaking the stigma around it and make it easier for people to access the support they need.”
"We need to focus on preventative measures to avoid crises and it is clear we need to implement proactive early intervention mental health strategies. One of these will be getting age-appropriate suicide awarness on school curricula to keep our young people safe but we can't stop there - I'm also keen to see more mental first aid trained staff in businesses as well as better outreach for rural communities and at-risk professions.
“The next big step is my upcoming meeting with the Prime Minister and the 3 Dads Walking. This is great opportunity to bring our concerns to the highest level of government and I look forward to continue banging the drum on this issue.”
A passionate advocate for better mental health, Dr Hudson has long campaigned for parity of esteem between mental and physical health since he raised the issue in his Maiden Speech. As part of his Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee role, he triggered an official Inquiry into Rural Mental Health which has explored the unique challenges faced by countryside communities and will be delivering a report to Government imminently. This draws on his own experiences as a vet on the frontline of the Foot and Mouth Crisis where he witnessed the community-wide trauma affecting people.
For more information on what Dr Hudson is doing on the topic of mental health visit: www.neilhudson.org.uk/campaigns/caring-more-rural-mental-health
