Congratulations to all those who lobbied their MPs, Lords and policy makers on the recent mental health bill amendments.

Although there is much work to be done, the government suffered a key defeat last night in the House of Lords when minister’s plans for mental health reform were rejected by a large majority.

NUS supported the work of the Mental Health Alliance but was also specifically campaigning for protection for LGBT people and those with cultural, religious and political beliefs. We wanted to make sure that legislation for the 21st century was sufficient in its protection.

We also were delighted to note that the Lords rejected the government’s proposals to detain and treat people even when treatment would not be successful. Amazingly, the government was proposing that people should be detained under mental health legislation, even when detention and treatment would have no effect.

We still have much work to be done on the definitions of mental ill health and protection for trans people but, in the meantime, well done and thank you to those of you that worked so hard to get this through.

Alex Kemp

NUS Disabled Students’ Officer

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