MPs reveal struggles with mental illness

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LONDON, June 15 (UPI) -- Members of the British Parliament described their personal battles with depression and anxiety Thursday as they debated a bill on mental illness.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said the government supports legislation that prevents some people diagnosed with mental illness from serving on juries, in Parliament or as company directors, The Guardian reported. The measure appears to have almost universal support.

The revelations crossed party lines. Former Labor Defense Minister Kevan Jones talked of hiding his depression, even from family members, while Conservatives told of battles with postpartum depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

"In politics we are designed to think that somehow if you admit fault or frailty you are going to be looked on in a disparaging way both by the electorate but also by your peers," Jones said.

Charles Walker, a Conservative backbencher, said his OCD has taken him to "quite dark places."

"It is unbelievable how awful you feel when you are sitting with your tiny baby in your arms, and your baby cries and so do you," Conservative Andrea Leadsom said. "You can't even make yourself a cup of tea, you just feel so utterly useless."

Gavin Barwell, the Conservative who sponsored the bill, said he expects that in a few years it will seem amazing there were laws discriminating against the mentally ill.