Dear Editor,
We are writing to you as mental health professionals to express our grave concern that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will have a profound negative impact on young people’s mental health with unforeseen consequences, including an escalation in ‘criminal’ behaviour.
We cannot think of better measures to disempower and socially isolate young people who are already suffering the devastating mental health consequences of disrupted education and prohibited social contact imposed by the pandemic. This happens at a time when the government claims to be prioritising children’s mental health and wellbeing. For example, government guidance states that “involving students in decisions that impact on them can benefit their mental health and wellbeing by helping them to feel part of the school, college and wider community and to have some control over their lives.”
We completely agree. Engaging in nonviolent protest is a democratic right that is part of such involvement, and restricting it in the manner envisaged in this bill will further erode young people’s trust in politicians, and their belief that their voices are heard, respected and matter.
A growing body of research shows that children and young people’s mental wellbeing is already detrimentally impacted by adult failures to address the climate and ecological emergency. A recent survey of 10,000 16-25-year-olds from both the Global South and North found that almost 6 out of 10 were very or extremely worried about climate change and that these anxieties correlated with perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal. At the same time there is increasing evidence that youth engagement in activism is one antidote to despair, and that it increases children’s positive skills and capacities.
During the recent COP26 meeting in Glasgow, COP President Alok Sharma noted the fear and anxiety that young people, including his own children, feel about the future of the planet, and went on to compliment them for their “passion and commitment […] to climate action.” He argued that “the actions and scrutiny of young people are key to us keeping 1.5 alive and creating a net-zero future.” Unfortunately, the end result of the Glasgow meeting is that “the pulse of 1.5 is weak”, to quote Mr Sharma again. Even if all COP26 pledges are met, the planet is on track to warm by 2.4℃.
Yet it is at this terrifying moment that the Government chooses to introduce new draconian legislation that will criminalise young activists engaging in nonviolent protest. Indeed the legislation appears in many parts to be specifically designed to entrap activists who are engaging in demonstrations that are essential for a healthy democracy.
For example, should young activists choose to engage in a march down a local high street, shouting and singing, as is customary during many school climate actions and Black Lives Matter protests, and if just two people are deemed to be seriously annoyed by this behaviour, those young people could be committing a criminal offence. If they fail to stop the disruption, perhaps choosing to link arms, or simply sit down in the road, they may be liable to 51 weeks in prison. And if they attend just two protests in a five year period that could have caused such serious disruption they may be subject to protest banning orders which mean that the police can monitor where they live, restrict who they meet, where and when they go out and their use of the internet. Meanwhile the new Stop and Search powers mean that police can arbitrarily stop any young person and search them on the basis that they might be carrying a banner, badges, leaflets to support a ‘banned protest, and we know from previous experience who is most likely to be targeted: black and ethnic minority youth who have already been disproportionality arrested and are more vulnerable than others to mental health problems, largely because of inequity and social injustice.
One result of this legislation, if passed, will be that young people face a choice between being intimidated into inaction and isolation, or possibly criminalised if they choose to act. Some may deliberately choose to escalate their actions to be more disruptive and possibly violent, given the severe consequences for even minor nonviolent activity. Whichever choice they make it will have profound consequences for their mental well being and the wellbeing of the wider community.
This is why as mental health professionals we feel obliged to condemn this bill and add our voices to the increasing number of individuals, professional bodies and organisations who have spoken out against it including, health and social care workers, legal academics, former police chiefs and numerous others.
Protecting young people’s mental health is our paramount duty. Taking action for and with them to address the planetary crisis is equally important. We ask our political representatives to recognise these concerns and oppose this dangerous Bill.
Yours sincerely,
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SIGNATORIES HAVE SIGNED IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
| Dr Isaac O. Akande | Clinical Psychologist |
| Hon Professor Dr Geraldine Akerman | Principal Psychologist |
| Mustafa Alachkar | Consultant psychiatrist, NHS |
| Dr Ahmad Allam | Psychiatry Trainee at NHS Scotland |
| Jennifer Allen | Lecturer |
| Alison Alway | Educational Psychologist |
| Carlos Amartey | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Ms Annie Bird | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Henry Ashcroft | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Kara Bagnall | Clinical Psychologist |
| Richard Bagnall-Oakeley | Integrative Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapist (UKCP Reg.) |
| Dr Cate Bailey | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Vikki Baker | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Lewis Baker | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Ruth Baldwin | Operational Director |
| Dr Jon Barnes | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Dr Nick Barnes | Specialty Doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| Romi Barrett | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Samantha Barton | Assistant Psychologist |
| Dr J Isabel Battye | Principal Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Martin Billington | GP |
| Lesley Black | GP |
| Charley Blackwell | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Leeds |
| Jessica Blumsom | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Christelle Blunden | GP |
| Morag Borszcz | Counsellor/ Psychotherapist |
| Dr Hattie Bowden-Howl | Clinical Psychologist, NHS |
| Dr Boyd | Psychologist |
| Dr Andy Brackett | Clinical Psychologist, CAMHS, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust |
| L M Brady MSc | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Stuart Bretherton | Housing Support Worker |
| Joanna Brett | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Emma Brooks | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Juliette Brown | Consultant Psychiatrist, East London |
| Dr Sarah Brown | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Nicholas Browne | GP |
| Roxy Bugler | School Counsellor at Tufnell Park Primary School |
| Dr Eleanor Bull | Health Psychologist |
| S. Bundy | Educational Psychologist |
| Hannah Burton | Psychological Therapist |
| Sophie Cadwgan | CBT therapist IAPT Gloucestershire Health and Care trust |
| Lizzie Cambray | Registered Counselling Psychologist |
| Holly Cameron | Trainee clinical psychologist, University of Southampton |
| Dr. Kelly Camilleri | Clinical psychologist |
| Imogen Campbell | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Hannah Campling | CT3 Psychiatrist |
| Thomas Carter | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Anna Chalmers-Brown | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Lucia Chaplin | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Rebecca Chasey | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr H Chow | Clinical Psychologist |
| James Clancey | Psychotherapist |
| Isabel Clarke | Consultant Clinical Psychologist. |
| Dr Katy Woodward Coates | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Sarah-Jane Cockburn | RMN and Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Southampton |
| Amanda Cole | Consultant Psychologist and Psychotherapist |
| PCH Colley | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Eleanor Cooke | CT3 Psychiatry, UCLH |
| Audrey Cooper | Psychotherapist |
| Mallory Corkum MSW | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Paula Corredor Lopez | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Phil Cox (PsychD) | Psychologist/Psychotherapist |
| Dr Michael Creed | NHS Psychiatrist |
| Dr Sue Crimlisk | Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Sarah Cross | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Amelia Cussans | Psychiatry trainee |
| Dr Jen Daffin, Community Clinical Psychologist | Trauma Informed Practice Lead |
| Dr Anne Darcy | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Andrew Davey | GP |
| Dr Virginia Davies | Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, Whittington Hospital, London |
| Francesca Dempsey | CBT Therapist |
| James Deutsch, MD, PhD, FRCPC | Assistant Professor, Div. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Toronto |
| Fabricio Donizete da Costa | Psychiatrist & Psychoanalyst in Public Health Centres in Campinas, Brazil |
| Louise Dornan | Psychologist in Clinical Training |
| Christa Drennan | Psychotherapist |
| Greg Dring | Clinical Psychologist |
| Bernadka Dubicka | Honorary Professor University of Manchester |
| Dr Erica Eassom | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Katrin Edelman | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Peter Edwards | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Stephanie Elliott | Senior mental Health Nurse |
| Mary Lynne Ellis | Analytical Psychotherapist, Perspectives Psychotherapy |
| Dr Els van Ooijen | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Liam Embliss | Junior doctor in psychiatry |
| Dr Abi Enlander | Clinical Psychologist |
| Paolo Enock | youth worker, psychologist |
| Dr Tracy Epton | Lecturer in Health Psychology |
| Jack Erasmus | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Jon Ettey | Principal Clinical Psychologist |
| Prof. Chris Evans | Honorary/Visiting Professor, University of Roehampton & UDLA, Quito, Ecuador |
| Julia Faulconbridge | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Lorena Fava | Psychotherapist |
| Candida Fernandes | Trainee clinical psychologist |
| Dr Rachel Forrest | Educational psychologist |
| Nadine Fox | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Alex Fradera CPsychol | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Leah Francis | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Essex |
| Dr Hannah Frenken | Clinical Psychologist |
| Kathryn Gaffney | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Valerie Gajewski | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Eleanor Gaynor | CT3 psychiatry |
| Jane Gilbert | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Guy Gladstone | Group Process Facilitator, child and adolescent psychotherapist |
| Dr Ciara Glennon | Clinical Psychologist |
| Nicole Gluckman | Trainee Clinical Psychologist at University of East London |
| Hayley Goddard | Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist |
| Dr Shona Goodall | Clinical Psychologist |
| Lucy Gormley | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Samantha Gothard | Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Hugh. Grant-Peterkin | Consultant Psychiatrist. East London NHS Foundation Trust |
| Karoline Greve Grouleff | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Anjula Gupta | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Ciaran MC Hale | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Simon Hamilton | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Fiona Hamilton | Director of Studies, Higher Education |
| Nicola Harris | Trainee clinical psychologist |
| Dr Carl Harris, Chair of the Community Psychology Section of the BPS | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Annabel Hayes | Clinical Psychologist |
| Sue Haynes | Counselling Psychologist |
| Dr Alexia Haysom | Psychiatry Core Trainee |
| Dr Annabel Headdon | GP |
| Dr Cheyann Heap | Research Associate, University of York (former Clinical Psychologist) |
| Dr Sarah Henderson | Specialist Clinical Psychologist |
| Lauren Hewitt | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Lealah Hewitt-Johns | Clinical Psychologist |
| Patricia Hewlett | Psychologist |
| Emma Hickey | Clinical Psychologist |
| Felix Higgins-Stockden | Trainee Clinical Psychologist- Plymouth University & Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust |
| Dr Kate Highton | Consultant Psychiatrist East London |
| Dr Richard Hobbs | Senior clinical psychologist |
| Dr. Cat Holligan | ST4 in General Adult Psychiatry |
| Dr Kathryn Hollins | Consultant Child Psychiatrist |
| Dr Josanne Holloway | Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist |
| Dr Charlotte Horseman | Core Trainee in Psychiatry |
| Dr Peter Hughes | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Mashal Iftikhar | Trainee Psychiatrist |
| Lucy Isherwood | Counsellor |
| Debra jackson | Social worker CAMHS |
| Dr Katherine Jackson, ClinPsyD, CPsychol | Senior Clinical Psychologist, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust |
| Muna Jama | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Rebecca James | Systemic Practitioner |
| Dr Magdalena Jimenez | Trainee Psychiatrist |
| Dr Rebecca Johnson | Consultant Clinical Psychologist, |
| Dr Bob Johnson MRCPsych MRCGP | Consultant psychiatrist, retired |
| Dr Lucy Johnstone | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Rachael Jones | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Lynne Jones OBE FRCPsych | Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist |
| Rebecca Joseph | Speech and Language Therapist |
| Marya Kanwal | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Alan Kellas | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Dr. Claudia Kempfen | GP |
| Libby | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Joe Kibble, DClinPsy | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Susan Kidd | GP |
| Dr. Esther Kiehl | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Danielle King | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Georgia King | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Julie Kingston | Psychotherapist |
| Justin Kington | Consultant psychiatrist |
| L Knight | Counselling Psychologist |
| Dr Kaaren Knight | Clinical Psychologist |
| Jacob Krzanowski | Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Aleksandra Kudlicka, PhD, CPsychol | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Sam Kuok | GP |
| Mr H T La Maga | Trainee Psychotherapist |
| Dr Clare Lamb | Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Paul Leach | GP |
| Kacey Leader BSc(Hons), Ad Dip. Counseling. MBACP | Counsellor, psychological therapist and supervisor. |
| Sophie Lee | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Elanor Lewis-Holmes | Specialist Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Ching Li | CAMHS Psychiatrist, Tavistock and Portman |
| Dr Amy Lineham | Clinical Teaching Fellow |
| Dr Maria Loades | Clinical Psychologist |
| Cheyenne Loana | Psychology student Liverpool John Moores University |
| Sarah London | Trainee Gestalt Psychotherapist |
| Bell Selkie Lovelock | Counsellor |
| Trudi Macagnino | Psychotherapist |
| Suzanna Mackenzie | Cognitive Behavioural Therapist |
| Kindy Mahal | Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Psychiatrist, Oxford Health |
| Emily Maitland | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Aleksandra Matakovic Manca | Consultant child psychiatrist NHS |
| Dr Jude Mann | Psychologist |
| Dr Constantina Markides (DClinPsy) | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Elizabeth Marks | Senior Lecturer, University of Bath |
| Dr Will Marsh | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Jon-Paul Marshall | Counselling Psychologist |
| Dr Sean Maskey FRC Psych | Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Maudsley Hospital. London. |
| Dr Elanor Maybury | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Ife May-Elegbede | Psychiatry trainee |
| Jennifer Mbanu | Trainee clinical psychologist, University of Exeter |
| Kathryn McAree | Trainee clinical psychologist |
| Skye McDade-Burn | Child Psychotherapeutic Counsellor |
| Samantha McDonnell | Psychotherapeutic Counsellor |
| Dr David McKelvey | GP |
| Alice McNamara | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Southampton |
| Dr Catriona Mellor | Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Pia Menzies | Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr. Hugh Middleton MD, FRCPsych, MRCP | Associate Professor, University of Nottingham & Retired NHS Consultant Psychiatrist |
| Annie Mitchell AFBPsS | Clinical Psychologist; Associate of University of Exeter & University of Plymouth |
| Dr Rebekah Moore | Clinical Psychologist, Glasgow psychological trauma service |
| Hazel Morfett MSc | Counselling Psychologist in training |
| Dr Amber Morgan | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Gareth Morgan | Clinical lecturer, University of Leicester |
| Dr Amber Morgan | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Mungo Morris | GP |
| Emily Mortimer | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Ilyeh Nahdi | Speech and Language Therapist |
| Dr Ian Nerurkar | GP |
| Dr Ian Newey | Consultant Clinical Psychologist |
| Liam Newton | Consultant Forensic Psychologist |
| Dr Angela Nicholas | Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Sally Norwood | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Tom Nutting | Psychiatrist |
| Ruth O’ Gorman | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Peadar O’Grady | Consultant Child Psychiatrist |
| Susie Orbach | Psychotherapist, |
| Dr Meltem Osman | Clinical Psychologist |
| Maggie Palmer | Family Therapist SLAM NHS Trust |
| Dr Gemma Parker | Clinical Psychologist |
| Charlotte Parkinson | Psychotherapist |
| Ms Krupali Patel | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Natalie Phillips | Trainer Clinical Psychologist |
| Jayne Pigford | Psychotherapist |
| Rosie Pill | Cognitive Behavioural Therapist |
| Dr Hayley Pinto | Consultant psychiatrist |
| Rob Poole | Professor of Social Psychiatry, Bangor University |
| Joanna Porter | Cognitive Behavioural Therapist |
| Dr Riddhi Prajapati | Clinical psychologist |
| Dr Gillian Proctor | Lecturer in counselling and psychotherapy, University of Leeds and independent Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Jethro Purkis | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Jody Quigley | NHS Clinical Psychologist |
| Karen Reissmann | Mental health nurse |
| Dr Nick Rhodes | Clinical Psychologist |
| Jenifer Richards | Trainee clinical psychologist |
| Stephanie Richardson | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Emanuela Roberti | Psychotherapist & Writer |
| Dr Rosa Roberts | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Jane H Roberts FRCGP PhD | GP; Clinical Lead for Youth Mental Health |
| Dr Elizabeth Robertson MBChB BSc MRCPsych | Psychiatrist |
| Gavin Robinson. | Counsellor and Sensorimotor Therapist |
| Dr Phaedra Robinson | Senior Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr. J Rodger | Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Devon Partnership NHS Trust |
| Dr April Romney | Educational Psychologist |
| Annette Ros | Psychiatry CT2 |
| Ali Rowe RMN | Former RMN |
| Ms Shira Rüb | Registered Clinical Psychologist, Independent Expert Witness, Children and Families |
| Dr Emma Russell | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Aruna Sahni | Consultant psychiatrist |
| Dr Chloe Sakal | Psychiatrist |
| Dr Judith Samuel | Clinical Psychologist |
| Sue Sanderson | Educational psychologist |
| Dr Chloe Saunders | PhD Candidate and Psychiatry Registrar (MRCPsych) |
| Jon Scott | Clinical Psychologist |
| Jenny Secretan | Retired counsellor/psychotherapist |
| Munzar Sharif | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Georgina Sherling | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Kirsten Shukla | Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Oxford Health NHS Trust |
| Jasmine Schulkind | Psychiatry trainee |
| Dr Marianna Siapera MD, MSc | Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry (UK) |
| Dr Tim Siggs | Clinical Psychologist |
| Sally Skaife | Art Therapist |
| Dr Alison Smith | Clinical Psychologist |
| Evelyn Smith | Trainee Clinical Psychologist University of East London |
| Dr James Stewart | Psychiatrist |
| Duncan Still | GP, Bristol |
| Dr Hannah Stringer | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Derek Summerfield | Hon Sen Clin Lect, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London |
| Theo Sunley | Trainee clinical psychologist (UEL / St Mungo’s) |
| Dr Emma Svanberg | Clinical Psychologist & Co-founder Make Birth Better CIC |
| Chloe Taylor | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Professor Eric Taylor | Emeritus professor, King’s College London |
| Victoria Theocharous | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr. Lisa Thorne | Interim CAMHS Lead for Psychology & Psychology Practice, Devon |
| Molly Thornton | CBT therapist |
| Dr Claire Tiley | Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Marian Titley | Chartered Clinical Psychologist |
| Susan Tomlinson | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Selina Tour | Principal Clinical Psychologist, Prison Mental Health |
| Ciara Trant | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Christopher B Travers BA BMBCh MRCPsych | ST4 CAMHS Psychiatry, North London |
| Dave Traxson | Retired Educational Psychologist |
| Dr Thanos Tsapas | Consultant psychiatrist |
| Dr Kellie Turner | Clinical Psychologist, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board |
| Dr Maria G. Turri | Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University of London |
| Dr Iona Tynewydd | Senior Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Ashley Vanstone | Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of Bath |
| Hester Viney | Counsellor & trainee psychotherapist |
| Sandro Voi | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Katie Voss | Trainee clinical psychologist Plymouth |
| Tony Wainwright | Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychology |
| Dr Alice Walker | Clinical Psychologist |
| Professor Mike Wang | Chair, signing on behalf of Association of Clinical Psychologists UK |
| Dr Warrilow | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Dawn Washington | Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist |
| Ashley Watson | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Katie Watts | CBT Therapist and Health Psychologist |
| Vicki Weare | Trainee Clinical Psychologist |
| Sarah Webster | Assistant Psychologist |
| Sheeva Weil | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Hertfordshire |
| Louise Weissel | Occupational Therapist & Access Consultant |
| Nikki Werker | CT1 Psychiatry |
| Dr Clive Weston | Clinical psychologist |
| Dale Whetter | Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
| Richard Whitehead | Consultant Psychologist |
| Rainbow Evelyn Wilcox | Educational Mental Health Practitioner |
| Claire Willsher | Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist |
| Nicky Wilson | GP |
| Dr Eric Windgassen | Consultant Psychiatrist (retired) |
| Marion Winslow, M.A. | Psychotherapist |
| Dr Mel Wood | NHS Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist |
| Dr Hannah Wright | Clinical Psychologist |
| Dr Matthew Yates | Clinical Psychologist |
| Simon Youdan | Cognitive Behavioural Therapist |
| Dr Shuo Zhang | Child and adolescent psychiatry trainee |
| Sally Zlotowitz | Clinical and Community Psychologist |
