Join the Mental Health Matters campaign

This World Kidney Day (Thursday 10 March) we want politicians around the UK to stand up for better mental health services for kidney patients. Kidney disease takes a terrible toll on people’s mental health and patients are not getting access to the right support – as has been shown by our recent survey.

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Will you help us make sure the politicians in Westminster, Holyrood, the Senedd and Stormont hear the concerns of kidney patients, their families, friends and healthcare teams – and take action?

Join our campaign! You can use our site to write to your political representative using our template emails, or to ask for a virtual meeting, to take place on or around World Kidney Day.

A few clicks, and you can have your voice heard.

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Your experience

Please add information about your experience of kidney disease, mental health, or anything else you would like to include.

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There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease.  Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like to arrange an online meeting to discuss my experience of kidney disease and how you can help ensure people with kidney disease have access to the mental health support they need.

I hope you are able to meet me, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Email closing text

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There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease.  Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like you to write to the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health Gillian Keegan MP raising awareness of the impact of kidney disease on mental health and calling for everyone with kidney disease to have appropriate access to mental health support. I have suggested some wording for this letter below my signature.

I hope you are able to write to the Minister and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

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Letter

Dear Minister

I am writing to you to ask what steps the Government is taking to support patients with kidney disease who require mental health support.

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I urge you to work with NHS England to ensure reforms delivered through the Renal Services Transformation Programme result in patients diagnosed with kidney disease routinely offered regular integrated psycho-social assessment and interventions from specialist renal psycho-social practitioners embedded within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
I also urge you to work with your Ministerial colleagues in the Department to invest in further research into the impact of kidney disease on mental health and identify the most effective interventions.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

MP

Northern Ireland

Unfortunately, due to the political situation with the Northern Ireland Executive this campaign isn’t currently running in Northern Ireland. If you would like to register your interested in being involved in future campaigns, please email: [email protected]

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Your experience

Please add information about your experience of kidney disease, mental health, or anything else you would like to include.

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There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

Research carried out in 2013 found that a worryingly high number of people with kidney disease experienced poor mental health. It showed that 39% of people on dialysis and 27% of people who had undergone a kidney transplant experienced depression.

Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health support.  A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that insert survey results

I would like to arrange an online meeting to discuss my experience of kidney disease and how you can help ensure people with kidney disease have access to the mental health support they need.

I hope you are able to meet me, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Hidden

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

Research carried out in 2013 found that a worryingly high number of people with kidney disease experienced poor mental health. It showed that 39% of people on dialysis and 27% of people who had undergone a kidney transplant experienced depression.

Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health support.  A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that insert survey results

I would like you to write to the Minister of Health Robin Swann MLA raising awareness of the impact of kidney disease on mental health and calling for everyone with kidney disease to have appropriate access to mental health support. I have suggested some wording for this letter below my signature.

I hope you are able to write to the Minister and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

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Wales

Your constituency MS

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MS

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Email opening text

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Your experience

Please add information about your experience of kidney disease, mental health, or anything else you would like to include.

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like to arrange an online meeting to discuss my experience of kidney disease and how you can help ensure people with kidney disease have access to the mental health support they need.

I hope you are able to meet me, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like you to write to the Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan MS raising awareness of the impact of kidney disease on mental health and calling for everyone with kidney disease to have appropriate access to mental health support. I have suggested some wording for this letter below my signature.

I hope you are able to write to the Minister and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Letter

Dear Minister

I am writing to you to ask what steps the Welsh Government is taking to support patients with kidney disease who require mental health support.

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease.  Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I urge you to ensure patients diagnosed with kidney disease are routinely offered regular integrated psycho-social assessment and interventions from specialist renal psycho-social practitioners embedded within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

MS

Letter

Annwyl Weinidog

Ysgrifennaf atoch i ofyn pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi cleifion â chlefyd yr arennau sydd angen cymorth iechyd meddwl.
Mae tua 3 miliwn o bobl yn byw gyda chlefyd yr arennau yn y DU a bydd 20 yn fwy o bobl bob dydd yn datblygu methiant yr arennau.  Amcangyfrifir bod 45,000 o bobl yn marw'n gynamserol gyda chlefyd yr arennau bob blwyddyn ac mae clefyd yr arennau yn achosi effaith enfawr ar y rhai sy'n byw gyda'r cyflwr a'u teuluoedd, yn gorfforol ac yn emosiynol.

Darganfododd arolwg gan Kidney Research UK ym mis Ionawr 2022 fod dros 2/3 (67%) o gleifion yr arennau wedi profi symptomau iselder ac mae mwy na chwarter (27%) wedi ystyried hunan-niweidio neu hunanladdiad o ganlyniad i'w clefyd arennau.  Ond mae pobl â chlefyd yr arennau yn ei chael hi'n anodd cael gafael ar wasanaethau iechyd meddwl priodol, gyda 68% o'r ymatebwyr yn dweud nad ydynt wedi cael cynnig unrhyw gymorth iechyd meddwl.

Fe'ch anogaf i sicrhau bod cleifion â clefyd yr arennau yn cael cynnig asesiadau ac ymyriadau seico-gymdeithasol integredig rheolaidd fel mater o drefn gan ymarferwyr seico-gymdeithasol arennol arbenigol sydd wedi'u gwreiddio yn y tîm amlddisgyblaethol (MDT).

Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed wrthoch.

Yn gywir

AS

Scotland

Your MSP

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MSP

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Email opening text

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Email opening text

This text is required and cannot be edited

Email opening text

This text is required and cannot be edited

Your experience

Please add information about your experience of kidney disease, mental health, or anything else you would like to include.

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like to arrange an online meeting to discuss my experience of kidney disease and how you can help ensure people with kidney disease have access to the mental health support they need.

I hope you are able to meet me, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I would like you to write to the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart MSP raising awareness of the impact of kidney disease on mental health and calling for everyone with kidney disease to have appropriate access to mental health support. I have suggested some wording for this letter below my signature.

I hope you are able to write to the Minister and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

Email closing text

This text is required and cannot be edited

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.
 
A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease.  Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.
 
As the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, I urge you to ensure everyone diagnosed with kidney disease is routinely offered regular mental health support from specialist renal counsellors.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Best wishes.

Letter

Dear Minister

I am writing to you to ask what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support patients with kidney disease who require mental health support.

There are around 3 million people living with kidney disease in the UK and everyday 20 more people will develop kidney failure.  An estimated 45,000 people die prematurely with kidney disease each year and kidney disease inflicts a huge toll on those living with the condition and their families, both physically and emotionally.

A survey by Kidney Research UK in January 2022 found that over two-thirds (67%) of kidney patients have experienced symptoms of depression and more than a quarter (27%) have considered self-harm or suicide as a result of their kidney disease. Yet people with kidney disease struggle to access appropriate mental health services, with 68% of respondents saying they have not been offered any mental health support.

I urge you to ensure patients diagnosed with kidney disease are routinely offered regular integrated psycho-social assessment and interventions from specialist renal psycho-social practitioners embedded within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

MSP

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