Mental health advice has been issued to MPs amid reports of some turning to alcohol and hiding in cupboards to escape the ‘toxic’ Brexit climate.

At a time where MPs are being forced to sit in the Commons for hours on end so a deal for the UK to leave the EU can be hammered out, mental health charity Mind has said it is important to remember they are ‘humans’ needing support.

The charity has offered a series of tips to manage stress, as well as details to a confidential hotline where they can report their issues.

Tim Loughton said he has ‘never seen more frazzled’ MPs (Picture: Getty)

Andrew Percy said he went all the way to hide in a cupboard to escape the Commons (Getty)

The initiative comes as MPs report resorting to extreme measures to cope with growing pressure and abuse as they are yet to agree on a withdrawal deal – two years since negotiations first started.




Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, recently raised alarm on the extent to which MPs are bearing the brunt as he said: ‘I have never seen more frazzled MPs, physically and mentally, and I do seriously fear for the mental health of some of my colleagues.’

It followed on Conservative Huw Merriman who said he had lost about four inches from his waist over Brexit stress, while Andrew Percy, who represents Brigg & Goole, went all the way to hide in a cupboard in a bid to escape the House of Commons mayhem.

Louise Rubin, Parliamentary Manager at Mind, said: ‘It has been really worrying to hear stories of MPs hiding in cupboards, turning to alcohol, and feeling out of control because of the pressure they are under.

Conservative Huw Merriman said he had lost weight over Brexit (Picture: PA)

MPs have recently had to spend a lot of time in the Commons to find an agreement on Brexit (Picture: Getty)

‘Mental wellbeing depends on various factors, including working conditions which is why we are offering support to MPs and their staff.

‘We must not forget politicians are human and it is vital that during this particularly pressurised time they are able to access the right mental health support.’

Another parliamentarian defined the current state of Westminster as ‘a boiling pot of mental ill health’, while a Labour Party co-ordinator spoke of MPs and their staff struggling with anxiety in the ‘toxic political climate’.

Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, said in a letter sent to MPs’ offices that they are working in a ‘uniquely pressurised environment’ and are not immune to developing mental health problems.

He urged them not to ‘neglect’ unmanageable stress as it may lead to depression and anxiety and called on them to seek whatever help they need.

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