News

A group of mental health service users, carers, academics and professionals today urged the appointment of a mental health service user tsar.

Co-chairs of the Social Perspectives Network Judy Foster and Stewart Hendry have written to Professor Louis Appleby to urge the appointment. A service user tsar in the learning difficulties field has already been appointed in Nicola Smith.

The letter said: “The appointment of a service user would give a powerful message to all working in mental health that people who experience mental distress should be listened to as equals at all levels of their engagement with the mental health system.”

SPN director terry Bamford added that the appointment would ensure that the voice of service uses was heard in discussions about policy and practice.

SNP has over 1,100 members and one of the co chairs is a mental health service user.