On the 15^th December last year a new law was passed that gave people suffering with mental health issues important rights in regard to receiving treatment. The central plank of this law is that all those who receive hospital treatment will get a proper care plan tailored for their specific needs. It is a measure that has received widespread support among those who work in this sector – one leading mental health charity referred to it as a ‘historic moment’.

It is historic for two reasons: for the first time statuary rights have been given to patients in this area. So often neglected under the NHS, the system must now give serious consideration to this sector. It is historic also since it is the first time since the 10^th century that a specific law has given rights to people suffering with mental health problems. The last law was passed by the Welsh king Hywel Dda, who decreed that the mentally ill should be exempt from paying taxes.

That last sentence may give you a clue as to why this excites me: this law was passed by the Welsh Assembly. It puts Wales at the very vanguard of mental health provision in the UK. This was proposed in Wales (by the Tory Am Jonathan Morgan); drawn up in Wales; and affects only Wales. But in order to get on and pass the measure the Welsh Assembly had to first go to Westminster to ask permission. The current system we have means that in order to pass any new laws in Wales we first have to go through a lengthy process in London – even though the law affects Wales alone.

But on 3^rd March a referendum is being held here to ask the people whether they want the system changed. In truth it is a very small change. It merely gives the Welsh Assembly the right to legislate in a small number of areas (like health and education) without having to first go through the time-consuming process in Westminster.

The mental health law is a classic example. The measure took only 8 months to go though the various stages in Cardiff – but because of the current system it actually took three years before the measure became law. It’s time to change.

As someone who has suffered from a lot of depression over the years this is one reason why I will be voting ‘yes’ on 3^rd March.