KEN HOLMES suggests that under the law of averages around 65 MPs have a current mental health issue (Letters, July 19).

So what? I have one too. What’s your point, Ken?

Andrew Butler, Selby.

 

• KEN HOLMES’ letter about Members of Parliament with mental illness displays ignorance and bigotry.

About a year ago, four courageous MPs, from the Conservative and Labour parties, stood up in Parliament to talk about their own experiences of mental health problems, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and post-natal depression. Parliament has a specific budget dedicated to supporting MPs with mental illness.

I know doctors, nurses, teachers, probation officers, church ministers, and many other people who take responsible roles within their communities, despite having mental health problems.

In York, almost 14 people in every hundred have depression each year, significantly worse than the England average of below 12 in each hundred. York also has significantly more hospital admissions for mental illness per head of population than the England average.

The Press should support the many York people who experience mental illnesses, not publish poorly informed letters. May God grant Mr Holmes wisdom to understand what mental illness really means, and compassion for those affected by it.

Ceri Owen, Frances Street, Fulford, York.

 

• I FOUND Ken Holmes’ letter on mental illness to be ignorant of the facts around mental illness.

I don’t know where he got his facts from, but I suggest he visits the Time to Change site at time-to-change.org.uk The site campaigns to end mental health discrimination. On there he will find many statistics, facts and myths on mental health. For example did he know one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year?

For him to suggest that members of Parliament are unfit to carry out their work if they have a mental health condition shows a complete misunderstanding about mental health. People with mental health conditions are more than capable of carrying at work in all areas of life, and should not be held back from applying for any position based on their mental health.

It is important people are open about their mental health and feel they can share their experiences with friends and colleagues. Mr Holme’s attitude is typical of the prejudice many people face and demonstrates the sort of response which keeps them from feeling they can talk about their condition.

Andrew Collingwood, Langwith Lane, Heslington, York.

 

• In response to the letter by Mr Holmes, of Cliffe Common, Selby, we at York Mind were very disappointed to read the insinuation that people with mental health difficulties are somehow unable to hold responsible positions, particularly within Westminster.

National Mind statistics are one in four people will experience mental ill health within any given year. We encourage people to share their experiences of mental ill health in a bid to broaden understanding and reduce stigma and discrimination.

Kathy Sturgess, Deputy chief executive, David Smith, Chief executive, York Mind, Highcliffe House, Highcliffe Court, York.