Mind

Behind the headlines and the stigmatising language about disability benefits are real people - millions of them. People who are scared about what this news might mean for their day-to-day lives. If that’s you, know this: you are not alone. We see you. We hear you. These changes, if they do happen, won’t come in immediately. And we will not stop fighting until the benefits system is fair, compassionate, and works for those of us with mental health problems.

Cutting benefits is short sighted. The UK government needs to shift focus and tackle the real barriers to employment.

Where's the evidence that mental health is being "overdiagnosed"?

It’s ok to take a break from social media 💙

We're in your corner 💙 This week, we wrote to Rachel Reeves. And our CEO, Sarah Hughes, met with the minister in charge of disability benefits to raise our concerns. We know these potential reforms are scary. We hear you. Changes wouldn’t happen overnight, and at first, they'd likely only affect new applicants. But one thing’s for sure - we won’t stop fighting for you, and pushing for a fair benefits system ✊ You can also read the letter in full on the Scope website ➡ https://lnkd.in/eYBRNDW4

Young people’s mental health is at crisis point - but we have an opportunity to make things better. Young Futures hubs could provide the change young people have been asking for - early, flexible support based in our communities. The UK Government has invested an additional £7 million into 24 hubs - a great start! But to truly make a difference, we need funding to be long-term and support to be nationwide. That’s why, today, the #FundTheHubs coalition is launching a blueprint explaining how to make it happen. 📄 Read it now and help us push for better: https://lnkd.in/ea6jhYxf

Afeefa is one of the 54,000 people behind the Mental Health Act. Her incredibly powerful words speak to many who have had similar experiences. It’s not good enough and it’s time to Raise the Standard. The Mental Health Act is outdated, not fit for purpose and needs reform. That’s why the UK government has brought the Mental Health Bill to Parliament this year. This will create the legislation to improve the Mental Health Act. With the right changes to the Mental Health Act, we can have a better say over treatment, tackle the Act’s racial inequalities and make the law work for young people. We’re going to keep fighting for the Bill to get through, so we can make things better for Afeefa, and the 54,000 others sectioned under the Act every year.

Today is the day! This afternoon, our '54,000 people behind the Mental Health Act' exhibition launches in Parliament to show MPs what needs to change in the Mental Health Act. This incredibly powerful piece of art, “A self portrait with a tally chart of the number of days I was detained for" by Nicole Lacey, is just one of many pieces that will be on display. We urgently need MPs to see it. To understand the feelings of the people behind these pieces of art. There’s still time for you to invite your MP using our easy template and help make mental health hospitals better for everyone. Invite them here - https://lnkd.in/eC2Z23mm

The Chancellor’s latest announcement on welfare cuts feels like a gut punch. Cutting benefits without addressing the root causes behind the increase in claimants - poor mental health, poor work conditions, and poverty - is short-sighted and dangerous. It risks worsening the mental health crisis, pushing vulnerable people further into financial hardship and further away from employment. Right now, millions in the UK are struggling, often waiting months or even years for mental health support. Benefits aren’t just economic - they’re a lifeline. So what should we do instead? ⬇ 1️⃣ Address root causes, not symptoms. Improve access to, and the quality of, mental health services. 2️⃣ Break employment barriers. Tackle workplace discrimination, offer flexible working, better sick pay, and mental health support at work. 3️⃣ Prevent poverty. Offer affordable housing, and maintain a robust financial safety net for people on benefits. We’ve seen before what happens when benefits are cut to the bone. It’s not just numbers that go down, it’s people’s health, their dignity, and their future. This is a choice and we’re going to fight for a different one. https://lnkd.in/ebxFsaeS

We need you. All of next week we’re holding an exhibition in Parliament to show MPs what needs to change in the Mental Health Act, with incredibly powerful poems and artwork like this from people who have been sectioned. The ask? We need MPs to see it. To understand the feelings of the people behind the artwork. Invite your MP using our easy template below and help make mental health hospitals better for everyone. This piece of artwork titled: Sectioned, will be one of many on display at the exhibition. Invite them 📩 https://lnkd.in/eC2Z23mm