Some constituents are traumatised, others violent. It’s time the House of Commons protected the people who work at the grassroots of our democracy
Before most people have finished their morning coffee, an MP’s staffer might have already dealt with a suicidal caller, a victim of domestic abuse or a threat of violence. We’ve been yelled at, cried at and sometimes even physically attacked, all in the course of managing a heavy caseload of constituents’ most intractable problems. So, when I read the results of the latest survey by the wellness working group (WWG) I was not surprised to learn that half of us are experiencing clinical levels of psychological distress.
Psychological distress is a range of emotional or cognitive suffering, such as anxiety or depression, that impairs a person’s ability to cope with ordinary daily life and functioning. It makes you wonder why urgent action is not in place to support these staff members, who are holding together the day-to-day functioning of democracy as well as supporting constituents throughout the UK.
Estelle Warhurst is the office manager for a Labour MP and an executive committee member for the parliamentary wellness working group
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