Community Mental Health Services: MPs hold first evidence session and hear from people with lived experience

In the first half of the session, MPs will hear directly from three people with lived experience, asking them about their journey of accessing and being supported by community mental health services.  

The Committee will ask them to share their views on what high-quality care and support looks like and what they think are the strengths and the weaknesses of current community mental health services.  

At 10.15, MPs will question a second panel of witnesses, from charities and patient organisations, on how far the needs of people with severe mental illness (SMI) are being met.  

The Committee will want to understand what patients need from services, and whether there is a clear picture of the level of demand for community mental health services.  

The session will also see MPs examine the situation described as the "severity gap" experienced by people with SMI, when a person’s needs fall between primary and secondary care. 

Witnesses on 12 February 

From 9.30am 

• Chris Frederick

• Ian Callaghan

• Francesca

From approximately 10.15am 

• Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health 

• Lucy Schonegevel, Director of Policy and Practice, Rethink Mental Illness 

• Courtney Buckler, Senior Policy and Campaigns Manager, National Survivor User Network (NSUN) 

• Harry Dyson, Peer Researcher and Public Involvement Officer, McPin Foundation

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: House of Commons