One of the great advances of the past few decades has been the way in which our society treats the issue of mental health.

Attitudes have evolved to be more sensitive, while governments have moved to treat mental health on par with our physical health. Indeed, funding of mental health services is increasing to record levels, with £2.3 billion extra each year being invested through the NHS Long Term Plan, and an immediate £500 million in place to support mental health services with the very significant pressures they are under today.

What has been slow to be amended, however, is the legislative framework surrounding how we deal with those who are suffering.

The current Mental Health Act was created nearly 40 years ago enabling people who have severe mental illnesses and present a risk to themselves, or others, to be detained and treated.

But so much has changed since the act was put in place.

That is why I welcome the package of reforms that have been set out in the wide-ranging new “Reforming the Mental Health Act” white paper.

At the heart of the proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act is greater choice and autonomy for patients in a mental health crisis, ensuring the Act’s powers are used in the least restrictive way, that patients receive the care they need to help them recover and all patients are viewed and treated as individuals.

These reforms aim to tackle the disparities in mental health services, better meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism and ensure appropriate care for people with serious mental illness within the criminal justice system.

While these are reforms are welcome, I am acutely aware that the coronavirus pandemic and national restrictions have caused a great deal of problems to the fabric of our communities and individual livelihoods, particularly when it comes to mental health.

I would encourage anyone who is experiencing difficulties to contact some of the dedicated local services and charities such as the NHS’s Talkworks, Clarity Counselling Service and Devon Mind.

The coronavirus pandemic has bought to the forefront that anyone can suffer from poor mental health. We must make sure that our system reflects that, and reform of the Mental Health Act is a welcome beginning.