Sam Allardyce, Sir Ian McKellen, Danny Boyle and Frankie Bridge among stars backing mental health equality

  • Health

Danny Boyle, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sam Allardyce are along high profile figures to have signed an open letter calling for equality for funding for physical and mental health treatment.

The open letter, which has now been signed by more than 200 people, calls for the government to increase "investment into the provision of mental health services".

The letter highlights 10 major concerns over inadequate mental health care, including the lack of access to treatment, long waiting times, inadequate crisis care, use of police cells and the 20-year gap in life expectancy between those with mental health problems and the rest of the population.

It also notes the high cost of mental ill health to individuals and their families as well as the to the economy as a whole.

More than 200 have signed the open letter calling for parity between physical and mental health spending Credit: PA Wire

The all-party campaign, called equality4mentalhealth, was launched by Lib Dem former mental health minister Norman Lamb, Time to Change ambassador and former Labour government communications director Alastair Campbell, and former Conservative cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell.

Key figures from the worlds of entertainment, sport, politics, the media and the military have already signed the lettter including Richard Curtis, Alan Pardew, Nick Clegg, Dylan Jones and former head of the British Army General Sir Peter Wall.

Danny Boyle is among celebrities backing the campaign Credit: PA Wire
Alan Pardew is among those who have signed the open letter calling for more funding for mental health services. Credit: PA Wire