Mental Health Campaigner Snubs OBE

Leading mental health campaigner Suman Fernando has refused to accept an OBE on the grounds that he disagrees with the government’s proposed mental health bill plans.

The senior lecturer at the European Centre for the Study of Migration and Social Care and visiting professor at the department of social sciences at London Metropolitan University denied the offer in a letter to prime minister Tony Blair.

Awarded for his continued good work in promoting mental health issues with regard to black and minority ethnic communities, Mr Fernando said that he found the accolade “puzzling”, given the government’s current proposals for the mental health bill.

“Although I appreciate this offer, I cannot possibly accept it while the government is pursuing its present policy regarding mental health legislation,” he wrote to Mr Blair, adding that he urged the government to reconsider its amendments.

Mr Fernando continued to note that it was “most strange” for the government to praise him for promoting mental health quality for non-whites when, in his view, the proposals would make life worse for those of a different racial background.