Joint call for parity of esteem on World Mental Health Day

To mark World Mental Health Day 2012 (Wednesday 10 October), Professor Sue Bailey, the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, has been joined by her counterparts abroad in calling on governments to ensure mental health is given the prominence it deserves.

The joint statement, signed by the Prof Bailey and Dr Maria Tomasic, President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and Dr Suzane Renaud, President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, reads:

“On World Mental Health Day, we call on governments world-wide to give mental health equal billing to physical health and ensure that health and social care budgets reflect the prevalence of mental health problems.

During a lifetime, one in four people is likely to experience a mental health problem, affecting the quality of their lives and relationships. Mental illness has a profound global impact and should be treated with equal importance as physical illness. There is no health without mental health.”

In the UK, the call for parity has been backed by Kevan Jones MP, who said: “World Mental Health Day allows us an opportunity to further challenge the stigma attached to mental illness.

“Great strides have been made in the UK on this, but it is only through continued pressure from medical professionals, charities, parliamentarians and others that parity with physical illness can be achieved here and around the world.”

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is undertaking ongoing work into the parity of esteem for mental health, working with government, other health professionals, the voluntary sector and the general public to highlight the importance of mental health and mental health services.

For further information please contact Gary Ward, Temporary Media & Communications Manager, Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext 6298; email: gward@rcpsych.ac.uk