Date Published: 10 October 2012

World Mental Health Day

The UK nursing organization the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has recently issued a statement about the importance of mental health.

Speaking on World Mental Health Day, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

" Mental health has an incredibly wide-ranging impact on individuals, and people with mental health problems can require support with their physical health, their work and their family lives. It is important to recognise the importance of good mental health as well as the enormous difference mental health services can make.

_ However, mental health services are feeling the pinch due to NHS savings, and mental health nurses are telling us that hastily implemented changes are jeopardising the improvements which have been made over the last ten years.

_ Proposed cuts could result in a loss of around 90 posts at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Mental Health Trust and a loss of 40 posts from community mental health teams in North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.

_ The mental health charity Mind reports that since the recession calls to their advice service have increased by 100%, indicating that good support and advice for people experiencing mental health problems is more important than ever. Despite this, services up and down the country are losing their funding and struggling to survive due to budget cuts.

_ We would urge the government to ensure that continued investment is made so that people with mental health problems get the help they need and which we know improves many lives."

Dr Carter's comments not only reflect the importance of mental health but also raise issues about the funding of mental health services in the UK where mental health services are largely provided through the NHS supported by charities such as Mind.

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