Mental health services have been chronically underfunded for many years. What this means for individuals is that they are frequently unable to get access to support when they first need it, and have to wait until they reach crisis point before anyone responds. Earlier this year the Foundation called for a radical overhaul of young people's mental health crisis services. It told BBC News Online that there are too few services and that those that exist are inaccessible and inappropriate. Let down Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, said she was not surprised by the Lawson case and said it was indicative of many they are hearing about.
People are being badly let down.
Ms Wallace said that if Sarah had been suffering from cancer rather than a mental health illness her case would have been handled differently and she would have received better treatment. Sue Baker, of Mind, said the mental health services wanted to see the government completely revamp the way it deals with mental health care. She said too many people are dying unnecessarily after committing suicide because they feel they have nowhere to turn. One in three people with severe mental illness has been turned away from mental health services. Aids drug permit Links to more Health stories are at the foot of the page.