For too long mental illness has been a hidden injustice in our country and dangerously stigmatised. Last week, the Prime Minister announced that a new Conservative government will introduce fresh policies to transform how we deal with mental health to ensure that those suffering from mental health problems get the care they deserve.

Currently, in this country if you suffer from mental health problems there is not enough help. To address this we will amend the outdated Mental Health Act with a Mental Health Treatment Bill to confront discrimination and the unnecessary detention of mentally ill people.

We will provide support to every school in the country, ensure that mental health is taken more seriously in the work place, and raise the standards of care with 10,000 more mental health professionals in our health service. 

To date this government has invested more in mental health than ever before, spending £11.7billion a year on mental health. We have also introduced the first ever waiting times for mental health treatment with the first ever standards for both talking therapies and early intervention in psychosis.

I have consistently argued for improvement to mental health provisions in Cheadle constituency particularly for young people suffering from eating disorders. That is why I am pleased that under a new Conservative government, every child will have access to mental health services, so they get the support they deserve.

As over half of mental health problems start before the age of 14, I welcome the plans for every primary and secondary school to have staff trained in mental health first aid and a single point of contact with local mental health services. Moreover, proposed changes to the curriculum will teach children more about mental wellbeing whilst reforms to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will ensure that children can access treatment in their local area.

• Having 10,000 more staff working in NHS mental health services by 2020, to raise standards of care.
• Replacing the flawed 1983 Mental Health Act to confront the discrimination and unnecessary detention that takes place too often.
• Giving every child access to mental health services, so they get the support they deserve. This includes teaching children more about mental wellbeing and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
• Introducing more protection at work for those suffering from mental health problems, to help alleviate discrimination through amending the Equalities Act to protect those with mental disorders from discrimination at work.
• Guaranteeing funding for helplines, places of safety and crisis cafes. Funding for helplines, such as the Samaritans will be guaranteed and funding for community places of safety and crisis cafes will be maintained.