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Mental health charity Mind respond to government’s ‘overdiagnosed’ comments and benefit cuts

'If you're serious about change, listen to those affected.'

Danny Jones - 21st March 2025

UK charity Mind has issued an extensive statement reflecting on the government’s impending benefit cuts and, more specifically, their comments that mental health conditions are being ‘overdiagnosed’.

Mind, the largest mental health charity in the country which raises tens of millions for related illnesses every year, has been left understandably troubled by the recent news that the Labour Party intends to scale back the level of welfare support that millions of Brits receive on a regular basis.

Most notably, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced in the House of Commons that the number of people claiming personal independence payment (PIP) is “not sustainable” and, therefore, eligibility will be made more stringent.

Responding in a number of posts this week, Mind has reiterated their belief that “our mental health is getting worse” and that “cutting benefits is short-sighted”, arguing instead that the “UK government needs to shift focus and tackle the real barriers to employment.” You can see two lengthy replies below:

As you can see, not only does Mind staunchly disagree with the government’s stance but they believe that in addition to the problematic wait times and ever-mounting pressure on services like the NHS, “rhetoric like this is dangerous” and fundamentally “stops people getting support” when they need it.

In a separate post on social media, the charity continued: “Behind the headlines and the stigmatising language about disability benefits are real people – millions of them. People who are scared about what this news might mean for their day-to-day lives.”

“If that’s you, know this: you are not alone. We see you. We hear you. These changes, if they do happen, won’t come in immediately. And we will not stop fighting until the benefits system is fair, compassionate, and works for those of us with mental health problems.”

And Mind has made a real impact on mental health services in recent decades, generating over £42.9 million between 2023 and 2024 alone, whilst providing frontline support to countless people in crisis online, over the phone and in person daily.

The organisation’s associate director of policy and campaigns, Minesh Patel, spoke to BBC Breakfast on Monday, 17 March about what they feel are more pressing issues and obstacles preventing people from getting into and staying in employment.

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Even prior to the welfare crackdown – which is hoping to save the UK economy an estimated £5 billion – being announced, Mind responded to early reports of the cutbacks in kind.

“The government’s solution: blame us, and punish us by taking away our financial safety net”, they wrote. “Cutting benefits isn’t the way to support people with mental health problems into work – it will only push more people into poverty and shift costs elsewhere. It doesn’t solve the problem.

They summed up things by adding: “If the government wants real change, it has to improve employment support, tackle workplace stigma, and make sure people aren’t stuck on mental health waiting lists for years.”

It goes without saying that if you need mental health support, you can call Mind’s Manchester arm on 0161 769 5732 or get in touch with them online; alternatively, you can use the NHS’ mental health services such as Manchester Talking Therapies and the 111 number.

As for questions surrounding how these government changes to welfare benefits and mental health support might apply to you, Mind have also put together a helpful breakdown HERE.

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Featured Images — Sky News (screenshot via YouTube)/Malcolmxl5 (via Wikimedia Commons)