Mental health diagnosed shouldn't be criminalised, says Chief

Tue, 08 Dec 2015

"Outrageous" - that's how the Island's attitude to criminalising those with mental health problems has been described by the Chief Minister.

Next week the new five year 'Strategic Plan for Mental Health and Wellbeing' will go before Tynwald for approval - it's an area which costs the Island more than £167 million a year.

Allan Bell says for too long it's been a taboo subject and issues now need to be seen and valued in the same way as physical illness.

One of the aims is to remove the number of people with mental health problems who enter the criminal justice system - something Mr Bell says is key: