People’s mental wellbeing is something that is deeply important. In recent years we have often heard that we are, nationally, navigating a mental health crisis – this I’m sad to say is evident.

The reasons as to why mental health problems are brought more to the forefront of the discourse of society in the 21st century are broad.

On a positive note, it could be said that in recent decades we have become more comfortable with talking about our emotions, highlighting such struggles and raising awareness around said illnesses. On the other hand, one could assert that due to the pressures of modern life, these sorts of conditions have been exacerbated and become more widespread.

The high intensity work and school environments, where our work follows us home more than ever before, the horrors and dangers that come with social media and the virtual world and the breakdown of community cohesion are just some of the things that contribute to this crisis.

In fact, it is the support of a cohesive community that provides one of the best remedies to such a dilapidating problem within a locality.

It is why I feel so disappointed that the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, an organisation that in theory should be providing a vital service to some of the most vulnerable in our region who struggle with, what can be potentially life threatening, mental health conditions, continues to fail.

I appreciate that there are inadequacies with many mental health charities and trusts and I’m sure many of my colleagues have frustrations with the mental health services that serve their constituents also, however I believe that the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust may be the worst.

This is quantifiable by the fact that in 2021 the Trust was rated inadequate and put into special measures, qualifying it as the only mental health trust within the NHS's improvement regime not meeting standards.

This week I met with other Suffolk and Norfolk MPs to discuss these issues - it was our second meeting where we met with families from across the region who have very sadly lost loved ones to the consequences that can arise from mental health conditions – a constituent of mine was present.

 One of the ladies at the meeting, who had lost a son, mentioned that he had autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia. Being a keen campaigner on improving provision for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, also being someone who has dyslexia and dyspraxia myself, this resonated with me very deeply. I think far too often, and I see these issues overlap.

There is a thread between the neurodiverse not being provided with the right support, especially within the education system and a slide into mental health struggles. If those with said conditions are not provided for appropriately it prohibits their ability to fulfil their potential, adding to their sense of not being understood and difficulty with interpreting the world around them.

There is a serious risk that this will lead to the sense of serious confusion and isolation that so often causes mental health conditions. A first-class SEND support system should go hand in hand with a first-class mental health support system.

The problem going forward with the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is in its very name – Trust – the trust has been lost between the organisation and those it is supposed to serve.

In fairness, new leadership has come in, with both the Chief Executive and Chairman recently being replaced and that could provide us all with hope for some improvement.

I’m always willing to be proved wrong and change my mind however, I would have to see serious change. As long as vulnerable constituents of mine continue to be let down in such an egregious way I will continue to be sceptical.