A group of MPs reportedly contemplated suicide due to the stress and demands of their job.

A recent report has delved into the ways in which we can improve the mental well-being of Members of Parliament (MPs). According to a campaign group, before the last General Election, several MPs in Parliament were contemplating taking their own lives due to the immense pressure of their roles. This has sparked growing concern for the welfare of UK parliamentarians in recent years, particularly after the tragic murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.

In light of these alarming events, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke out about the increase in intimidation, harassment, and abuse towards candidates, campaigners, and volunteers from all parties during the July 4 election. To address this issue, organisations 50:50 Parliament and Compassion in Politics have released a new report that focuses on the mental health of MPs and what can be done in the workplace to improve it.

The report highlights the shocking statistics shared by former MP Elliot Colburn, who openly spoke about his own struggles with suicidal thoughts during a Prime Minister's Questions session earlier this year. In fact, he revealed that eight of his fellow MPs had reached out to him after his speech, sharing similar experiences due to the extreme pressures of their jobs. This number was later confirmed by Mr. Colburn himself in an interview with Metro.

In the report, an unnamed MP and former Government minister also shares their experience, saying, "It's been the most extreme experience of my life. The highs are wonderful, but the lows can be miserable. There's very little in between." They also mention the impact on their mental health, stating, "The collapse of public respect makes it an impossible job for the MP and their family. I had a nervous breakdown after my candidacy and again as a minister."

One of the key moments that sparked the conversation about MPs' mental health was Elliot Colburn's powerful speech about the homophobic abuse he faced. This speech was praised by both sides of the House, showing a united front in support of tackling this issue. The report surveyed 24 former MPs, out of the 132 who left Parliament at the last election, and found that over two-fifths believed that the standards of behavior in Parliament are worse than most other workplaces.

Among the recommendations made in the report are the establishment of an independent Human Resources function for the House of Commons and a return to the electronic voting system used during the Covid lockdowns. It also suggests a consultation on the whipping system, as some MPs, including William Wragg of the Conservatives, have accused whips of using "blackmail" to force them to vote along party lines. However, this allegation was refuted by Downing Street at the time.

The report has received endorsements from former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who believes that "anything which encourages further introspection on whether we have the balance right yet in Parliament" is a good thing. Mental health campaigner and former Labour director of communications Alastair Campbell also supports the report, stating that "we have a new government whose election slogan was 'Change' and nowhere is that more needed than in politics itself."

Current Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and former Green MP Caroline Lucas have also shown their support for the report. Jennifer Nadel, the co-director of Compassion in Politics, believes that some of the procedures and practices in Westminster are "hopelessly out of date." She adds, "This government has an extraordinary opportunity to re-set politics. We need to significantly improve the working practices and culture at Westminster for the benefit of MPs, staff, visitors, and those they serve."

For those in need of emotional support, there are resources available, such as the Samaritans helpline, open 24 hours a day, where you can speak to someone anonymously. Alternatively, you can visit a Samaritans branch in person or access their website for more information. The HOPELINE247 is also available every day of the year, 24 hours a day, for those who may need it. You can call, text, or email for support.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]