By Charlotte Webster-
Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is set to launch the government’s ambition to put mental health on an equal footing to physical health across the world.
In what is set to be the first ever annual ministerial mental health summit in London today, key political figures, innovators, experts, policy-makers and people with lived experience of mental health from around the world will come together at the 2-day summit to agree global action to tackle mental ill-health.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who spearheaded the Heads Together initiative, will join ministers and delegates from more than 50 countries at the summit. The group will jointly participate in a variety of discussions and expert panels, encouraging them to rethink their current attitudes towards mental health. Statistics indicate that 1 in every 4 people in the Uk suffer from mental health issues, and many are not even aware of it. Mental health can be caused by depression, heightened anxiety, rejection, drug or mental health abuse, and even genetic factors.
Mental health sufferers can alleviate the impact of the condition by taking medication or being acutely conscious of the symptoms and negating them by acting differently. As Health Secretary, Hancock has a huge task ahead of him in addressing the problem of mental health, usually underestimated in many circles.
The global ministerial mental health summit is hosted by the UK government in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The event will also see the launch of a short film from Time to Change called ‘It’s time to talk (about mental health)’. The film features A-list American actress Glenn Close and contributors from Nigeria, India, Kenya and the UK.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
This summit is a landmark moment in changing the way mental illness is perceived and treated globally. The world must unite and take this opportunity to deliver parity for mental health so it is treated the same as physical health.
Countries from across the world are in London today to agree action to tackle one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. Whether it’s challenging discrimination, promoting well being at work, adopting new technologies, or empowering young people to take steps to a healthier future, long-lasting commitments will be made at this summit which will be a step towards achieving better mental health care for all.
Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said:
After generations of mental health being the poor relation to physical health, many of us hope that this first ever global mental health summit will be a tipping point that prioritizes more action on mental health. We’ve made major progress on mental health stigma in England, and hope the Summit acts as a springboard for change across all countries and cultures, so that there is no shame attached to mental health anywhere in the world.