Mental Health Discrimination Bill one step closer to making it into law (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell's Mental Health Discrimination Bill one step closer to making it into law

1:50pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell saw his Mental Health Discrimination Bill receive its Third Reading in the Lords on Monday.

The Bill will now wait for Royal Assent which will probably be in March.

The legislation will end blocks on those receiving regular treatment for any mental health disorder from sitting on a jury.

It will also repeal the section of the Mental Health Act 1983 which removes an MP from their seat if they have been sectioned for more than six months.

Mr Barwell said: “I’m very proud that my Bill will soon become law, but in truth this is only the beginning.”

“Now is the time for us all to realise that having a mental health condition is nothing to be ashamed of or to keep a secret and that mental health should be treated on a par with physical health. Only when that happens will the discrimination truly be over.”