Psychiatric practitioners from as far away as Palestine came to Cornwall last week for a special conference on the 'whole life' approach to mental health.

North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, has been championing mental health services across Cornwall since his election in 2005. He gave the keynote speech at the 'Whole Life Conference' at the Eden Project, last Friday, speaking of the need for mental health support to encompass everything from good, affordable housing through education and training to acute health services.

Contributions followed from John Jenkins of the World Health Organis­ation, chaplains from the Cornwall Partnership Trust and members of the 'Respect' group, which represents service users with learning disabilities. Experts from Trieste, Italy, and from Bethlehem, in the West Bank, gave their perspective on how to shape and maintain good mental health even in the most challenging circumstances.

Commenting afterwards, Mr Rogerson said: "With one in four people being affected by mental health problems at some point in their lives, today's conference represents an important global effort to share experiences in improving mental health services.

"The Cornwall Partner­ship Trust is determined to improve the service it offers and getting together all the affected groups and experts from way beyond our shores is a good start.

"It was fascinating to hear of the acute problems suffered by those living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, some obviously very different to the pressures in Cornwall but others surprisingly similar.

"I was particularly pleased to meet up with Respect group, whom welcomed to Parliament a couple of years ago. I keep in regular contact with them to ensure I know how I can best represent my constituents with learning disabilities.

"I am delighted to have been invited to deliver the keynote speech. The whole life approach, which involves looking at not just the symptoms of mental illness but the causes, is vital to shaping a society in which no one gets left behind."