GSD calls for cross party support on mental health

The GSD has called for cross-party support for its initiative of establishing a Parliamentary Select Committee on mental health in a bid to improve support and resources in mental health.
This comes as the Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi yesterday wrote to the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Together Gibraltar Leader Marlene Hassan-Nahon to propose that Parliament establish the cross-party Committee.
The Select Committee would report on such improvements to mental health provision in Gibraltar it considers should be made.
“The issue of mental health and mental well-being is a big issue for this community,” the GSD said in a statement.
“There should be a cross-party effort where we all strive to improve support and resources in mental health to ensure people are well looked after.”
At the last meeting of Parliament, the Government confirmed that nearly 4000 people had been prescribed antidepressants and anti-psychotics in 2019.
“Those statistics are of course only reflective of the public health services and do not reveal the statistics derived from the private medical sector,” the GSD said.
“The complete picture could be more serious. This is only one manifestation of issues giving rise to concern. It is important to understand whether anything can be done to increase support in this area or to address causes.”
The party said NGOs and professionals working in the field do a sterling job but that the time has come to take a “holistic and cross-party” approach to this key area.
“We hope that other political leaders will support this GSD initiative and back the call for a cross-party effort in this area,” Mr Azopardi said.
“A Select Committee could then take evidence from professionals and persons affected to hear their personal experiences of current services and views on how to improve this crucial area. Rather than detract from any work that the GHA or Government may itself be doing to improve public services any work done by the Select Committee on Mental Health will complement such work.”
“The Committee can take a wide-ranging approach to this area and consider causes as well as consequences. This is not just about the services that should be there to support sufferers after the event.”
“We also need to focus on creating a better lifestyle environment to minimise any external factors that contribute negatively to mental well-being. As a society the sooner we carry out this in-depth work the better.”