When Conservative MP Elliot Colburn told parliament he’d attempted to take his own life earlier this year, he was amazed at the response he got. Politicians from across the house commended his courage, the Commons applauded him, Keir Starmer shook his hand and Rishi Sunak gave him a hug. However, more surprising was what happened afterwards. Eight members of parliament approached him to say that they, too, had reached that same place of despair. None of them, as far as Colburn knows, have spoken publicly about their experience.
It takes courage for any of us to speak publicly about our mental health, but for politicians there are added considerations. Our political culture comes with unrealistic expectations – that they should be unswervingly strong, independent, omniscient, and never faltering. Any cracks in the armour could be unfairly interpreted as weakness. And, of course, it can give ammunition to opponents – some of whom might even be inside your own party. Many will be keenly aware of the privilege their job brings, given the levels of deprivation suffered by so many in the country, and feel reluctant to detract from those more pressing issues.
