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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

A long-awaited mental health bill to end the use of prison cells for people in crisis and limit the detention of those with autism and learning disabilities will be introduced by the government on Wednesday.

The bill was first promised by the then prime minister Theresa May in 2017 but was kicked into the long grass by subsequent governments.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: “The treatment of people with autism and learning disabilities, and the way in which Black people are disproportionately targeted by the [current] act, should shame us all.”

“Our outdated mental health system is letting down some of the most vulnerable people in our society and is in urgent need of reform,” he said.

The Department of Health and Social Care noted that Black people are more than three times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, while those with learning disabilities and autistic people are commonly found to be inappropriately sectioned. 

As well as banning police and prison cells from being used to detain people experiencing severe mental illness — creating more space for police to hold criminal suspects — the bill will update the existing Mental Health Act to place a 28-day limit on the detention of people with autism and learning disabilities unless they have another mental health condition. 

The legislation aims to reduce the strain on mental health services, which are increasingly having to purchase bed space in the private sector amid a rapid increase in demand for services.

Last year, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that a rise in health-related economic inactivity was costing the government £16bn more per year since the pandemic, largely due to rising mental health problems.

The bill will make it a legal requirement for each patient to have a “care and treatment plan” tailored to their condition and needs, with a clear trajectory towards discharge.  

It will also increase the frequency of patients’ clinical reviews to ensure they are receiving appropriate treatment, and reform the use of controversial community treatment orders — a legal arrangement that allows a patient to leave a hospital and receive treatment in the community under strict conditions — which are disproportionately used on ethnic minority groups.

Andy Bell, chief executive at the Centre for Mental Health, said he “warmly welcomed” the publication of the bill, which was “long overdue”.

“The bill is an essential step towards modernising mental health services, but it must be accompanied by investment in mental health services and buildings so that people get the care and support they need when they need it in environments that are safe and therapeutic,” he added.

DEEP in Wyoming lies one of the most stunning sites in the United States.

Rising above Jenny Lake, jagged peaks dominate the skyline.  The Tetons.

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Towering over crystal clear lakes and the surrounding prairie lands they give their name to Grand Teton National Park – a gem in US nature.

Lesser known, and smaller, than the sprawling Yellowstone, it is a land of rugged beauty.

But where its neighbour was named for the yellow sandstone found along its river, Grand Teton’s title is the result of a bunch of sex starved fur-trappers who, on sight, claimed the mountain range resembled ‘trois Teton’ or three breasts!

Despite knowing little of the region before my visit, the idea of driving from Montana into the parks in Wyoming in an RV was too good to resist so I roped in my pal Michael and off we went.

When I told him we would be flying to Bozeman to begin our adventure, he responded ‘Where?’ But on arrival we found it to be one of the hippest towns we’ve ever visited.

It’s a collection of effortlessly cool mom and pop stores, bars, breweries and cafes offering you everything you need to start your national park adventure.

And after a night’s much needed rest we were collected from our hotel by Nellie from Blacksford RV Rentals, who took us to collect our home on wheels for the next week.

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Bruce, who founded the firm, met us and showed us around our brilliant Winnebago View. It sleeps up to six but with just the two of us, it felt palatial.

After stocking up on supplies, we were on the road and headed for West Yellowstone,  where we sank a few beers under the stars and enjoyed a fabulous sleep.

Next day we set off towards Big Sky, a ski town with a Hollywood following and incredible scenery.

Big Sky is all dramatic backdrops and fantastic hiking and, after checking out magnificent Ousel Falls, I was ready for a swift half before hitting the road again.

We headed to Gardiner, the historic gateway to Yellowstone National Park, where the skies were dark enough to see the Milky Way.

After an impromptu cook out, a few beers and another fab night’s sleep in the Winnebago, we met our guide Jarrod from Good Trip adventures for a tour.

Over the course of the day we saw elk, longhorn sheep, pronghorn antelope and bison as we made our way through thermal springs, mountain passes and the highlight – carved into the famed yellow stone through thousands of years – the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

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Unlike its famed Arizona namesake, Wyoming’s Canyon is unspoiled by helicopter tours and offers an amazing views.  

The drive through Yellowstone saw our Winnebago put through its paces but it really is effortless behind the wheel, and passengers are treated to magnificent views of canyons, valleys and, of course, the thermal springs.

Perhaps the most famous of the geysers is Old Faithful, a landmark so reliable that you can almost set your watch by it with eruptions as often as every hour.

The thermal sites are a result of the volcano that sits beneath the park which, should it erupt, could have dire consequences for mankind.

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But looking on the bright side – sites like the fabulously rainbow tinged Grand Prismatic Spring wouldn’t exist without it. A reminder that danger and beauty often go hand in hand.

As we headed south through Yellowstone the landscape shifted as the RV climbed mountain passes effortlessly and we crossed the great continental divide.

Travelling on, the rolling hills and dense evergreen forests of Yellowstone slowly vanished, replaced by pockets of alder given bronzed shades with the jagged outline of the Tetons looming in the distance.

A short distance into the park is the magnificent Jackson Lake, a 15-mile stretch of water in the shadow of Mount Moran, with soft sandy shores, perfect for swimming.

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But if you’re not braced for the cold, it’s also the perfect pull up spot for a sandwich or snack and to make full use of the cracking kitchen facilities in the RV. It had everything and more that we could possibly have needed.

Grand Teton is known to be rich with wildlife and next morning, after parking up at the relatively sparse Gros Ventre campsite, we came face to face with moose as we cooked breakfast.

Towering at around 6ft to the withers, they are an intimidating sight and should you come into close contact with one, then I wish you all the best and hope you’ve prepared your will.

Later the bull and his mate returned and were within 20ft of our RV while we enjoyed an afternoon beer.

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Next up on our amazing adventure was Jackson, or Jackson Hole depending on who you ask. It’s one of the wealthiest areas of the US, favoured by Hollywood stars and screams money.

It’s a great spot for a supply run or to enjoy a beer or two from one of the local breweries.

Definitely a highlight of our trip was Jenny Lake. Situated immediately below the Tetons it’s the perfect spot for a day’s adventuring.

For those with a head for heights there is world-class mountain climbing or for the more modest there are trails of varying difficulty.

We hopped on a boat across the crystal clear waters before hiking to the Hidden Falls (which thankfully were easy to find) before scaling the heights of Inspiration Point. Or, at least Michael did.

As a man with a crippling fear of heights the final 25m proved too much and I had a walk of shame while my mate took in the views – which he claimed ‘really weren’t that much better than what you’ve seen’. What a gent.

We made our way back to the van via the lakeside path and thankfully managed to avoid bumping into a black, brown or grizzly bear.

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In fact those bears remained elusive. Even with the expert eye of Colin, our Grand Teton Good Trip Adventures Guide, we failed to spot one of the beasts.

Setting out at 6.30am we heard the bugle of an elk looking to get lucky, we spotted rare mountain bluebirds and plenty of bison. But bears? Nope, not one.

What you need to know

GETTING THERE: For the best routes and fares to Bozeman, Montana, see skyscanner.net.
STAYING THERE: Blacksford RV Rentals offer new, premium RVs sleeping 2-6 guests on all-inclusive pricing (unlimited mileage and generator usage, bedding, kitchen supplies and camp chairs) plus 24/7 on-trip roadside assistance by their knowledgeable local staff, and a free annual National Park entrance pass. Daily rates from approx £154-£472 plus insurance. Book at Blacksford.com or call +1 408-384-6778.
MORE INFO: Blacksford RV Rentals has three locations in the American West, all near convenient, major U.S airports and National Parks: Bozeman-Yellowstone, Montana; Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. They also offer free airport and local hotel pick up and drop-off. Visit goodtripadventures.com for tour rates and packages.

However, the sights were not as shy, from the magnificent Jackson Lake Lodge hotel, built by the Rockefeller family, to the Tetons. And as the mist cleared across Jenny Lake in the morning sun it was hard to imagine anywhere I’d rather be.

The Tetons may be the lesser of the two parks in global stature but their jagged beauty and crystal clear waters make them a must visit and what better way than in the freedom offered by a super-cool RV, with one of your best mates.