MENTAL HEALTH ACTION WEEK, 16th TO 22nd APRIL 2006

Early day motion 1950, tabled 30 March 2006 by Lord Lansley (Conservative). Signed by 57 members.

That this House congratulates the Mental Health Foundation on using Mental Health Action Week, 16th to 22nd April 2006, to raise awareness of the issues facing those struggling with an alcohol addiction; is concerned by the close link between heavy drinking and a high incidence of mental illness; calls on the Government to ensure that those who turn to alcohol as a result of mental illness receive appropriate treatment; understands that depression is one of the conditions which may lead someone into alcoholism; is therefore further concerned by the result of the survey by the magazine Pulse which found that 78 per cent. of general practitioners were dissatisfied with the availability of services for those suffering from depression; notes that the same Pulse survey found that almost all general practitioners feel forced to prescribe anti-depressants as they are unwilling to make patients wait for treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy; believes that appropriate use of psychological therapies can be a far more cost-effective use of NHS resources than widespread prescribing of anti-depressants; is alarmed that research by the Conservative Party has confirmed huge disparities in the availability of psychological therapies despite their efficacy and cost-effectiveness in long-term treatment; is deeply worred that these disparities mean that some patients are waiting as long as 84 weeks; and, in the light of this evidence, further calls on the Government to take urgent action to address this postcode lottery.

Signatures by party: Conservative 38, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 5, Labour 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.