Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrea Jenkyns and Tobias Ellwood

Monday 25th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood) (Con)]

T7. In England, one in six people report or experience a common mental health problem in any given week. In both the Ministry of Defence and in service veteran communities there is an additional stigma that prevents individuals from seeking help. What steps is the Department taking to reduce the stigma and to support military charities such as the RAF Association that are actively supporting these individuals?

[Mr Ellwood]

My hon. Friend touches on such an important issue. If we are to retain people in the armed forces, we need to provide the necessary support on mental health issues. The Prime Minister herself has said that she wants to see parity between mental and physical health, which is exactly what the 2017 mental health strategy seeks to secure.