Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg vowed he would protect mental
health services from cuts during the recession, after an appeal by
campaigners dressed as Cinderella characters.
Mr Clegg promised the campaigners from charity Rethink he would
fight for mental health services as he signed a pledge at his party
conference in Bournemouth on Monday.
The campaigners dressed up as the fairytale's characters to
highlight their belief that mental health is the Cinderella service of
the NHS.
Rethink said mental health receives only a fraction of the funding
awarded to other health conditions such as cancer, even though one in
four people will experience mental health problems at some point in
their lives.
After posting his promise in the "Pledge Pumpkin", the Liberal
Democrat leader, said: "At a time of recession, the need for mental
health services is greater than ever.
"People must get the right help at the right time to prevent their
problems escalating. It is a false economy not to invest in mental
health services."
Paul Corry, Rethink's director of public affairs, said: "We are
delighted that Nick Clegg has lent his support to our campaign to
protect mental health services during this difficult recession.
"For too long, mental health, like Cinderella, has been left in rags
and tatters. It is time for a fairy godmother to wave a magic wand and
invest in mental health so that it too can go to the ball.
"However, fairy godmothers - and politicians - need to be aware that a short-term commitment won't be enough.
"Mental health service users and carers don't want to see pumpkins and mice appear at the stroke of midnight."
The mental health campaigners, dressed as fairytale characters or
wearing T-shirts featuring the slogan Let Mental Health Go To The Ball,
encouraged MPs to stop and pledge their support as they entered the
conference zone in Bournemouth on Monday.
Rethink works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness
recover a better quality of life. It aims to provide hope and
empowerment through effective services, support those who need help and
campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding.
For further information on the charity and its work visit www.rethink.org or call 0845 456 0455.
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