Reform of the Mental Health Act

That this House welcomes the announcement in the Queen’s Speech on the 11 May 2021 to introduce a Bill to reform the Mental Health Act in recognition of the vast improvements in understanding and treatment of mental health disorders since the Act’s original formulation in 1983; in particular commends the Government for signaling its intention to better the treatment and referral of those with a disability or autistic spectrum disorder in the criminal justice system and while detained; calls on the Government to heed the recommendations of the Green Paper titled Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision in that Bill and to work with local government, voluntary and childcare organizations to ensure that data and expertise is shared between relevant authorities and parties and that mental health conditions are treated at the earliest possibility in whichever setting they first present to ensure the best possible health outcomes for children and young people.