Psychological therapies 'should be at the heart of election manifestos'

Political parties need to put psychological therapies at the heart of their election manifestos, it has been claimed.

Mental health charity Mind, along with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, launched a new campaign yesterday (March 1st), calling on political parties to promise that within five years the NHS will offer evidence-based psychological therapies to all who need them within 28 days of requesting referral.

National Institute fir Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines currently recommend a number of therapies for people who have mental health problems but many people struggle to get access to them, the charity noted.

Paul Farmer, Mind's chief executive, said that talking therapies provide a lifeline during periods of mental distress for many people.

Professor Lord Layard added: "Our politicians must guarantee that children and adults with mental health problems get as good professional care as people who are physically ill."

Last week, the charity said a new book, In Our Own Words, about experience of self harm has been launched.