The King鈥檚 Speech has included an ambitious set of progressive bills, which we hope will improve access and choice to mental health services and greater opportunities for the counselling profession.

The traditional parliamentary event saw the new Labour Government outline the laws it wants to introduce in its first parliamentary term.听

These included on areas including: banning conversion practices, reforming the Mental Health Act, improving mental health support for children and ensuring mental health has the same focus as physical health.听

Children and young people听

We鈥檙e thrilled that the mental health of children and young people was highlighted as being a priority for the Government.听

This includes the announcement of a bill that will promote children鈥檚 wellbeing while improving educational standards. 听

The Government aims to create new partnerships to support 鈥榓t-risk teenagers鈥� via Young Futures Hubs. These hubs will provide mental health support, including counselling. 听

This comes alongside the commitment made in Labour鈥檚 manifesto to put mental health services in schools.听

奥别鈥檝别 campaigned for children and young people to receive improved mental health support through the Fund the Hubs campaign.听

奥别鈥檝别 also previously advised Labour on mental health in school policies and look forward to continuing to support them in achieving their mental health policy objectives for children and young people. 听

Conversion practices ban听

奥别鈥檝别 long campaigned for legislation to outlaw abhorrent conversion practices and we're pleased the Government has committed to drafting a Bill to ban conversion therapy in England and Wales. 听

The Government has stated that a ban on conversion therapy 鈥渕ust not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling. It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.鈥�听

We remain fully committed to championing a ban that is inclusive and ends these unethical, harmful and ineffective practices, protecting all individuals who are at risk of harm. 听听

It鈥檚 critically important that any proposed ban is effective and workable and it doesn't lead to unintended consequences around therapists鈥� ability to work with gender and sexually diverse clients.鈥��听

We鈥檒l continue to engage with lawmakers and politicians from all sides to secure much needed practical and effective protection.听

Parity of esteem听

The King鈥檚 Speech introduced a range of pledges around NHS support, including reducing waiting times, focusing on prevention, and improving mental health provision for young people. 听

We鈥檙e grateful that so many of the recommendations made in both our manifesto and our recent Cost of living report are reflected in these plans for Government. 听

We鈥檙e pleased to see the King鈥檚 Speech has pledged that mental and physical health receive 鈥渢he same attention and focus鈥�.听

Parity of esteem for mental and physical health is another of our principal policy asks and was included in our recent manifesto. 听

It鈥檚 imperative that we see greater investment allowing a wider range of interventions and an expanded workforce including counsellors and psychotherapists. 听

Reform of the Mental Health Act听

The King鈥檚 Speech also commits to a much-needed modernisation of the Mental Health Act. Critical reforms would include ensuring that those who are detained under the Act have greater choice, autonomy, rights and support, and make sure all patients are treated with dignity and respect throughout their treatment. 听

Service users will have more say in what treatments they receive. This echoes our manifesto call for an increased choice of mental health treatments, including counselling, and for patient preferences to be better prioritised. 听

In criminal justice settings, the modernised Bill will also ensure that police stations and prisons are no longer used as places of safety under the Mental Health Act. This will help ensure that those experiencing a mental health crisis or with severe mental health needs are supported in the most appropriate setting. The Government will also legislate for offenders with severe mental health problems to have access to vital care as early as possible. 听

The Bill will also attempt to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide. The Labour Government says it hopes that fixing the mental health system will lead to a reduction in suicide rates.听

Anti-social behaviour and victim support听

Through a Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, the Government will ensure that victims of crime and anti-social behaviour receive support. 听

A duty will also be created for 鈥渓ocal partners to co-operate to tackle anti-social behaviour, with an anti-social behaviour lead in every local authority area鈥�. This could be a key opportunity to provide vital mental health support to improve the lives of those who engage in antisocial behaviour, and the public who are impacted by it. 听

Labour aims to halve violence against women and girls. Working to reduce the mental ill health that can be foundational to violence and discrimination 鈥� and the recovery of its victims - presents another key opportunity for our members鈥� expertise to bring about positive change and safety for vulnerable individuals. 听

Martin Bell, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: 听

鈥淲e hope these policy commitments will strengthen mental health support for all and help begin to curb the mental health crisis that is affecting too many individuals, communities and businesses.听

鈥淎t the heart of these changes is an important commitment to empowering patient choice, through a commitment to parity of esteem between mental health and physical health, alongside a modernised Mental Health Bill. We hope that there will be greater investment to expand the range of interventions available and ensure greater opportunities for our members to help address growing and unmet need.听

鈥淭he important pledge around a Draft Conversion Practices Bill is also a promising step in the right direction. We鈥檙e committed to working with Government to ensure any legislation is effective, and workable and should not lead to unintended consequences around therapists鈥� ability to work with gender and sexually diverse clients.听

鈥淲e鈥檒l work closely with Government and opposition parties to ensure these important policy commitments are delivered and that counselling and psychotherapy plays its part within the change agenda signified in today's King鈥檚 Speech and in Labour鈥檚 manifesto.鈥�听