Today’s King’s Speech omitted any mention of the Mental Health Bill, a significant piece of legislation vital for the protection and treatment of people experiencing mental health crises in the UK.
The absence indicates that the long-awaited reforms to the Mental Health Act, which governs the circumstances under which individuals can be detained and treated without their consent, are now unlikely to be realised before the next general election, despite previous commitments.
It is a silence that speaks volumes about the government’s failure to prioritise mental health.
What is the Mental Health Act 1983 and why does it matter?
The Mental Health Act is critical in setting out the legal structure for the care and treatment of those with mental health conditions in England and Wales. It outlines the process and criteria for involuntary detention and treatment, otherwise known as ‘sectioning’. In the last 40 years, our understanding of mental health has significantly evolved, yet the Mental Health Act of 1983 remains unchanged.
It is time for our laws to catch up; to reflect modern approaches to treatment, to tackle the racial injustice that the current Act exacerbates and to find ways to give voice and choice to those often less heard under the current law, including young people.
Leigh Wallbank, Chief Executive of OCD Action, said:
“The lack of a Mental Health Bill in the King’s Speech is not simply a disappointment—it is a signal of a disconcerting trend away from prioritising mental health within the government’s agenda. This is particularly disheartening for those living with OCD, for whom there is a vital need for a laser focus from government on mental health services, policy, and law, if we are to ensure everyone affected by OCD gets the treatment they need at the time they need it.
“In our outreach to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, alongside our partners, we’ve expressed profound unease with the decision to omit the Mental Health Bill from the King’s Speech. This bill was expected to address systemic injustices faced by Black African and Caribbean heritage communities within mental health services. To set aside this bill is to betray those it was meant to support and safeguard. It is imperative that the Act is reformed, as a step towards addressing the injustice that Black people can all too often face within the mental health system, including many affected by OCD.”
“Furthermore, the failure to act on this crucial update neglects the very real challenges people with OCD face within the healthcare system—a system that should support, not hinder, their access to care. It is about key issues of dignity, choice, and having your voice heard. For those with OCD, this isn’t just about the law—or a dry, boring document—it is about the government prioritising mental health services and valuing the experiences and daily reality of seeking and receiving help.”
“Our commitment to changing this reality is unwavering. Together with the organisations represented by the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition and the Mental Health Alliance, we are deeply concerned with the apparent de-prioritisation of mental health by the government. This is a disturbing trend that must be reversed, and we will continue to fight for this, until everyone affected by OCD gets the treatment they need, when they need it.”
If you are impacted by the issues raised today and would like some support, please reach out to our Helpline by calling 0300 636 5478 or emailing support@ocdaction.org.uk.