Liz Twist

Liz Twist

Labour — Blaydon and Consett

Speaking in the House of Commons on 17 June 2026

Debate

Mental Health: Parity of Esteem

Contribution

I beg to move, That this House has considered parity of esteem between physical and mental health. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse. In my constituency surgeries I see the devastating consequences of our failure to treat mental illness with the urgency it requires. In my role as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on suicide and self-harm prevention, I hear from young people about their experiences and the impact of waiting for treatment from mental health services. Bad mental health is routinely cited as a reason for economic stagnation, low school attendance rates and an increase in benefit claimants. Long waits for mental health support are directly linked to worsening symptoms and, tragically, to spikes in self-harm and suicide attempts.

More from Liz Twist

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Liz Twist's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Liz Twist report card.

Partner sites