Mental Health: Parity of Esteem

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Wednesday 17th June 2026

(2 weeks, 2 days ago)

Westminster Hall
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Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist
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The hon. Member might be reading my mind, because I will come on to that issue. I am sorry to hear of the death of his constituent—it is tragic.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I commend the hon. Lady for securing the debate, and she is absolutely right to address this issue. In Northern Ireland, we have extreme mental health issues; indeed, the figure is 25% higher than it is here on the mainland. The Government have made a commitment to address the nation’s physical health. Does the hon. Lady agree that they must now treat the nation’s mental health equally? In doing so, they will address the emotional issues among the people we represent here.

Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist
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I do agree, and I will expand more on that theme.

Parity of esteem means tackling mental health with exactly the same respect, funding and clinical focus as physical conditions.