The Centre for Mental Health has today published a new briefing: A Mental Health Commissioner for England, which explores the opportunity for the creation of this new statutory role.
In its report on the Government’s draft Mental Health Bill, a Committee of MPs and Peers made a recommendation for the establishment of a Mental Health Commissioner for England. This briefing draws on international evidence from Commissions in other countries (including Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia) about how something like it could add value in England.
Race Equalty Foundation supports the Centre for Mental Health’s belief that a Mental Health Commissioner for England would add a new dimension to government that would benefit all of us. By helping to put mental health at the heart of government, the Commissioner could change the way decisions get made – supported by a ‘mental health policy test’ that could be used by all departments to improve their impact on the nation’s wellbeing. Also, by establishing this role, mental health would no longer be an area with an inconsistent public health profile and importance within government, reliant on short-term interest or hard-won attention.
Read the briefing here.
