One in five MPs suffers from stress-related mental illness
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
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A confidential survey of MPs and peers suggests that one in five parliamentarians suffers from mental illness caused by the stress of their public lives. Those questioned said they feared disclosing their struggles because of stigma and discrimination.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health questionnaire was completed by 94 MPs, 100 lords and 151 parliamentary staff. More than a quarter had a mental health issue, while 86 per cent of MPs said their job was stressful.
The group's report is critical of the law forcing MPs to give up their seat for life if they are sectioned under the Mental Health Act for six months.
Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat MP, revealed he was treated with anti-depressants after his private life was exposed in the press. "The truth is many politicians, myself included, have found the job enormously stressful," he said. "I was regularly taking Prozac." He said he had now "got back his life" and was looking for other career opportunities after the next election.
One of those serving MPs surveyed, speaking to The Independent on condition of anonymity, said: "I would love as an established MP to talk openly of the serious depressive illness I endured long before I became or even thought of being a MP.
"It might serve as some small encouragement to those few young people currently shrouded in despair, feeling their life is hopeless. I have no confidence though that national or, importantly, local media will not succumb to the temptation in their coverage to make life more difficult for my party."
Dr Howard Stoate, a Labour MP and a GP, said he had advised MPs to seek help. "A lot of people underestimate how much pressure their MPs are under but it is no more stressful than some other jobs," he said.
Paul Farmer, of the mental health charity Mind, said: "Repealing antiquated rules that ban MPs from returning to work after recovering from a mental health problem would send out a clear message to employers that discrimination should not be tolerated."
