Tory govt. and mental health - would it be a disaster?

[JaceyBee]

Have posted this in 'politics' too but thought you guys may have a better perpective on the issue:

I work in mental health and like many people am concerned about what will happen to our service if the conservatives get in next month.

Historically I believe mental health has not been a priority for the tories, maybe this has changed now, I know they intend to monitor the mental health of ex-servicemen and women more carefully which has got to be a good thing I suppose.

However it was Labour who brought in the Increased Access to Psychological Therapies in order to shorten waiting lists for counselling/therapy in primary care and relieve burden on GP's for common mental health problems.

I just can't see myself ever voting tory, would they be disastrous for people who work in mental health, and more importantly our patients? What do others think???

Not sure but did notice recently when I was referred for therapy that there was practically no waiting time in my area. In orevious years I have had to wait 6mths or more. Not sure if the difference was due to how I was refered or just more therapists being employed by the NHS.
Not sure how to vote.

Mine is rubbish a six month wait for any counselling at all and they didn't even bother referring me when I was at my worst so now I am well enough to follow it up I have another six months to wait. I'm having to go private! I live in the South East. Should I complain to someone? It doesn't seem good enough to me.

I wasn't even offered anything, other than ADs. No mention of counselling. I imagine the situation would be worse under a Conservative government. GPs need better mental health training. I went to the GP with insomnia and anxiety and he prescribed me ADs that made the insomnia worse. I thought I was going to die three days later from lack of sleep!

I won't be voting Tory anyway. David Cameron used to be my MP!

Frankly I don't know who would be worse. It really is very hard to tell. This govt. seem to be in love with CBT as the answer to everything. It is the new religion along with the offerings from the pharmaceutical companies. I do find CBT quite like stating the grindingly obvious to the uninitiated. Perhaps it's improved over the years!

Mental health is such a low priority for politicians. Stupid, stupid politicians.