Tom Hayes spoke out on World Mental Health Day on Friday, October 10.
He said that his parents struggled with their mental health and had to care for them while growing up in poverty.
Mr Hayes said: “Mental health wasn’t something we talked about when I was growing up, but I know now that my parents struggled with theirs.
“I grew up in poverty, caring for two disabled parents who were shut out of the services they needed.
“That experience drives me every day.
“I want to make sure no one is left waiting for help or struggling alone.”
Before being elected as an MP, Mr Hayes worked for five years leading mental health services, was an NHS trust governor and collaborated with disability and mental health charities.
In the past year, he has opened the Access Wellbeing Hub in Boscombe which has supported more than 2,200 visits and has urged ministers to increase funding and improve community services.
Mr Hayes said: “I’m determined to give mental health equal priority to physical health.
“That’s why the Government is recruiting 8,500 new mental health workers, placing a specialist in every school.”