E. CONSTITUENT SUPPORT

Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders across most societies, Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff may be increasingly confronted by mental health problems affecting constituents. In a 2008 report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health (UK)28, 88% of Parliamentarians and 72% of Peers surveyed were reported to have voted on mental healthrelated bills in Parliament. Parliamentarians tasked with mental health policy-making should have a reasonable understanding of mental health, its complexity and interconnectedness to all aspects of health and society, and its far-reaching impacts. While public mental health policymaking is outside the scope of this toolkit, we recognise that Parliamentarians and staff may also be confronted with mental health problems presented directly by individual constituents. These interactions may, in turn, be taxing on the mental health of Parliamentarians and staff. In the same 2008 report mentioned above28, every Parliamentarian surveyed indicated that they had encountered people with mental health problems through their parliamentary duties.

Following an increasing number of Parliamentarians who approached them regarding advice for supporting mental health problems of constituents, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health, in partnership with Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, published a guide for UK Parliamentarians and staffers on dealing with mental health-related problems presented by constituents136. The guide includes the following: • an overview of common mental health disorders, • advice on how to listen and engage with someone with a mental health problem and/or in distress, • advice on dealing with the risk of harm or aggression and the handling of challenging correspondence, • guidance on setting boundaries and establishing a supportive office environment for colleagues confronted with these issues, and • advice on the distribution of information regarding support services136 .

Please see our section on Resources below for more information on this guide:

MIND GUIDE TO MENTAL HEALTH FOR MPS AND STAFFERS

Together with Rethink Mental Illness and the Royal College of Psychiatrists as part of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Mental Health, Mind produced a booklet which sets out practical ways for Parliamentarians and staffers to support constituents with mental health problems. It includes information on:

• Common mental health problems • Handling difficult emails and phone calls • Signposting and local information

Accessible from: https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/ our-policy-work/our-work-in-parliament/mps-andstaffers-guide-to-mental-health/