Government Fails Mental Health Patients -- Brake

12.01.00am GMT Fri 4th Feb 2005

Mental Health organisation SANE has recently been forced to announce the closure of 2 of its SANELINE sites in Bristol and Macclesfield, due to the late payment of funds by the Department of Health. During December 2004 these two sites gave over 1000 hours of one-to-one contact and responded to over 2000 callers.

Local Carshalton resident Sharon Gallagher is concerned and distressed to see this vital mental health service provider being forced to close two of its sites because of Government under funding. The charity provides a crucial service for people with mental health problems and is often the only opportunity a mentally distressed person has to speak to someone in confidence about their situation.

Mr Brake said,

"The Government should understand that their current preoccupation with physical health issues does not mean they can ignore mental health. They should pay the monies due to SANE and ensure that people with mental health problems will continue to receive the same high level of service and support by this important charity".