James Evans, Conservative Senedd Candidate is calling on all political parties after May 6th to agree to put in place a five year funding plan for mental health services, so that organisations such as MIND have the certainty of funding to plan long term service provision to help tackle the mental health pandemic.
Britain is in the midst of what charity Mind has described as a ‘mental health emergency’. With anxiety and depression soaring, and rates of depression almost doubling during lockdown, calls to mental health helplines have sharply increased – charities are taking more calls, and the calls are lasting longer.
Charities such as MIND place a vital role in reaching out to residents across Brecon & Radnorshire. At a time when we have all been in lockdown, MIND is reaching more people than ever before, with telephone support, one to one counselling and the growing area of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which is accessed via online following referral from your local GP.
Following a meeting with MIND Mid & North Powys, James Evans says “I am committed to getting mental health on an equal footing to physical health. It needs investment and funding committed for a five year period to allow such great organisations such as MIND to have certainty and be able to plan into the future. This is something that touches us all at some stage in our lives. Powys has one of the highest suicide rates in the UK and is the main cause of death in men under 40. Other organisations such as the DPJ Foundation have brought great awareness to the issues in Farming and in the rural communities.
James Evans said “I want everyone to know it is OK to ask for help. It is OK to not be OK. Sadly not everyone has someone to talk to or somewhere to turn for help. I urge all of you to approach friends, neighbours, colleagues and ask them ‘Are you OK’? That simple question could save a life”.
