WHEN Durham North MP and shadow defence minister Kevan Jones chose to speak publicly about his own mental health issues, The Northern Echo added its voice to the widespread praise his courage deserved.

It is not easy for anyone to open up about mental health problems and the fact that an MP was prepared to discuss his history of depression was a positive step in the campaign to remove the stigma which surrounds this type of illness.

Society has made progress in its appreciation of mental illness, and the kind of language which has traditionally surrounded it, but there remains a long way to go.

The former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, underlined that when he responded to criticism from Mr Jones by saying: “I think he might need some psychiatric help. He’s obviously very depressed and disturbed. He should pop along to see his GP.”

We do not doubt that Mr Livingstone’s comments were made without knowledge of Mr Jones’ personal battle with depression, but that is really beside the main point.

It was Mr Livingstone’s casual ignorance of the offence he caused to millions of other people suffering from mental illness which is the underlying concern.

By speaking in the way he did, and by failing to immediately acknowledge why it was so wrong, he exposed an attitude which is prevalent but has no place in a modern, caring society.

A belated “unreserved apology” from Mr Livingstone came only after Jeremy Corbyn – the Labour leader who advocates a more civil brand of politics – told him it had to be made.

The consolation in this sorry controversy is that it will further highlight the need for sensitivity when it comes to mental illness.

More people than last week will think again about the language they use.