Given the level of threats that they face, and the bizarre life they often lead, it’s no surprise that MPs have a higher preponderance of mental health problems than the general public. A study published this week in the British Medical Journal found that 34 per cent of parliamentarians had the symptoms of a common mental disorder, with the rate in the general public at a lower 26 per cent. What’s more striking about the research, which surveyed nearly a quarter of MPs, is that so many of them – 77 per cent – had any idea that there was a dedicated mental health service in Parliament.
The Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service is one of a few really positive changes in Westminster over the past few years. MPs have fast access to consultant psychiatrists and courses of private counselling if the service feels they need specialist help.
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