Equity Must Be Enforceable: A Call to Action on the Mental Health Bill
The UK’s Mental Health Bill is currently under review. This is not just a policy moment, it is a test of moral and political will.
For decades, Black communities have been overrepresented in the most coercive aspects of mental health care; detained, sectioned, and criminalised at far higher rates than white counterparts.
The new Bill presents an opportunity to redesign a system that was never built for us. But that opportunity will be missed if we fail to make equity enforceable in law.
What’s at Stake
The Bill currently includes the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) only in the Code of Practice, a non-binding reference. That’s not enough.
If PCREF is not placed on a statutory footing, we will continue to see guidance ignored, disparities unchecked, and communities harmed.
What You Can Do
Parliament is currently accepting written evidence from the public, but the window is short and may close as early as 26 June.
📢 You can read the official call for evidence and submission details here.
I’ve also created a template and briefing pack to help you respond quickly, with evidence and arguments that centre equity and racial justice.
A Leadership Moment
We cannot afford to repeat the failures of the 2007 Mental Health Act, which introduced Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) and worsened racial disparities.
This is a leadership moment. One that requires courage, clarity, and collective action.
Please read the materials. Share them. Use your voice. Help build a system where care is just, and equity is not a gesture, but a guarantee.
— Dr. Jacqui Dyer, MBE
Director, Black Thrive Global