This week we have celebrated World Mental Health Day. I am so proud of every single constituent who has sought support for their mental wellbeing. There is zero shame in doing so; just as most of us experience physical illness from time to time, sadly the majority of us will at some stage experience common mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. I think we’ve seen a healthy see change in how we approach and discuss mental wellness as a country in the past few years, but none the less, coming forward to say “I’m not ok” still take bravery.

It’s therefore imperative that when people do come forward, the support they need is there. I know from some heart-breaking local cases that tragically this has not always been the case. Whilst I know GPs locally by and large do an incredible job, some constituents tell me about feeling fobbed off to read a website, or experiencing frustratingly long wait times for talking therapies. When by definition you are coming forward for support at a vulnerable moment, this can feel extremely discouraging.

Because people can’t get the mental health support they need, they reach a crisis point, which is worse for them, worse for their families, worse for their employers and more expensive for the taxpayer. There is really no greater business case for significant investment, not to mention it being the right thing to do.

Keeping our minds well should never be an afterthought. Under the next Labour government, mental health will be given the same priority as physical health. We will recruit 8,500 more mental health workers, and guarantee patients treatment within a month. We will build a system which focuses on early intervention, because the more help we can get to stay well in the first place, the more we can prevent the sort of acute ill health that ruins lives and costs more to treat.

We will invest properly in our children and young people’s mental health too, ensuring every child has access to part-time counsellors in schools. Getting people in the habit of talking through their feelings at a young age encourages healthy help-seeking and self-caring behaviours for life.

I know that on a personal level, like so many people, I wouldn’t have the resilience necessary to do my job if I didn’t protect a little time each month to talk a daily walk, spend time with family, or put the world to rights over a pint with a friend. We need to look out for ourselves and each other, and our health services need to be there for us fully, too.