We’re delighted to be closing in on 10,000 signatures on our petition calling for the four UK Governments to maximise counselling and psychotherapy in supporting the nation through the Covid-19 crisis.
If you haven’t already had the opportunity to add your voice to the campaign, please help us reach the landmark number of supporters by signing the petition.
We’ve also received commitments from politicians across the four nations to make representations on our behalf to their respective Government or Executive, as well as offers to table parliamentary questions and to sign and share the petition.
Political support
It comes after we contacted around 120 MPs, Peers, Welsh Assembly Ministers (AMs), Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and Members of the Northern Island Legislative Assembly (MLAs) friendly to us and our cause, to build further political support behind our campaign, with nuanced asks for each nation.
In the first week of the campaign we wrote to relevant Heath and Mental Health Ministers across each nation of the UK.
And we’ve now received support from 18 professional bodies, providers and campaign groups who have signed up to back our campaign.
Since our last update, the campaign has been backed by the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA), the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), Human Givens Institute, Lifelink and the Psychosynthesis Trust.
Thank you
Steve Mulligan, our Four Nations Policy and Engagement Lead, said: “We’re delighted by the positive response we’ve received from members, organisations, and politicians so far. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.
“We’re keen to reach our campaign target of 10,000 signatures this week to show the four Governments what strength of feeling there is that counselling and psychotherapy has an important role to play in the mental health response to coronavirus and supporting the nations in their recovery.
“We’re also heartened by the response we’ve had from organisations, and are looking to grow our partnerships further.”
Please get in touch if you would like to be an organisational supporter. Email: PublicAffairs@bacp.co.uk
Tackling the mental health consequences of coronavirus
Back our COVID-19 campaign to reaffirm the critical role that counselling and psychotherapy needs to play in supporting the nation through the coronavirus crisis and in helping to repair it afterwards.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance and resources for members
Backing calls for more research as coronavirus risks ‘profound’ impact on mental health
We need to understand the long-term impact and ensure therapy is part of the Covid-19 response