In our last bulletin (4th September) we urged you to show your support for the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No.2) Bill which will be debated in Parliament on 14th September for the first time. The Bill seeks to repeal three archaic pieces of legislation which discriminate against anyone who has experienced mental health problems by preventing them from being a member of a jury; a company director and an MP if detained under the Mental Health Act for 6 months or more.

MHNE recently met with Kevan Jones MP to discuss our concerns and Mr Jones confirmed that he supported MHNE’s efforts to highlight such an important issue and will be attending the Bill’s first debate on 14th September 2012. When MHNE asked Mr Jones why he felt this was such an important issue his response was:

“This Bill is a significant step towards stamping out discrimination against people who have, or who might currently be experiencing mental ill health and I will be working hard to ensure that the Bill is thoroughly debated  as it makes its way through Parliament. I would encourage MHNE members and anyone
else who wants to see an end to discrimination on the grounds of mental ill health to contact their MP and ask them to show their support by attending the Bill's first debate on the 14th September and subsequent readings thereafter also. The law needs to change, and sooner rather than later.”

We would like to thank those of you who have already contacted your MP and would urge all our members to do the same. To find out who your local MP is click here and either tweet or email your MP via these easy to use templates supplied by Mind.