“The mental health system is at breaking point,” says Dr Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind. “The public understands this, but its absence from last night’s debate shows our political leaders don’t yet fully grasp the scale of the problem.

“Some of the rhetoric around mental health problems over the past few weeks has left many of us with mental health problems feeling deeply worried and anxious. This has come through clearly in the comments and messages Mind has received on social media and in the calls to our helplines. Its absence from last night’s debate is equally troubling.

“But there is hope. There are policies that politicians from all parties can commit to in the weeks and months ahead that will move the dial on mental health, including reforming the outdated Mental Health Act, raising the standard of mental health hospitals, investing in services like early support hubs for children and young people, fixing benefits assessments and improving mental health at work.”

Politicians aren’t taking mental health seriously enough, warns Mind charity