RADAR Welcomes Harper's Challenge To End Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Conditions In Parliament, UK

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 30 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The challenge to the Prime Minister by Mark Harper MP, Shadow Minister for Disabled People, to remove Section 141 of the Mental Health Act which strips an MP of their seat in Parliament if detained under the Act for more than six months, and his tabling of an amendment to the Equality Bill on this issue, are both very welcome and long overdue.

This unacceptable discrimination against people with mental health conditions by placing them in the same category as criminals, who also lose their seat in the House (as opposed to people off sick for more than six months with physical health conditions, who do not), has never been acted upon, but the very existence of this measure helps to create a climate of stigma and fear for people with mental health conditions.

RADAR welcomes and thoroughly supports Mr. Harper's efforts to consign this measure, which recalls the days of Bedlam and tickets to see the "lunatics", to history, where it belongs.

David Stocks, RADAR Empowerment Project Manager, said:

"I welcome Mark Harper MP's statement regarding the removing the legislation that allows the removal of an MP from office if they have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. It is legislation that belongs to the Dark Ages and not to the 21st century. The existence of such legislation is symbolic and by its removal a clear message will be sent out that diversity is embraced in all levels of leadership."

"With a bipolar mental health condition myself I have long campaigned for such changes. I now have the chance to help others attain leadership positions through RADAR's Empowerment Programme - a programme that celebrates human diversity, providing people with the confidence and skills required for leadership. The abolition of this act will go a long way towards bringing this diversity into positions of leadership in Parliament."

Notes

1. RADAR, founded in 1977, is the UK's largest disability campaigning network with over 1000 individual and organisational members. RADAR stands for the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation.

2. RADAR is a charity run by disabled people that depends on the financial and voluntary support of others including public donations. To find out more please visit our web site http://www.radar.org.uk

Source
RADAR