Stop Mental Health Discrimination

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has called for the next government to reduce mental health stigma and put in a range of measures to protect the rights of people with mental illness.

He is supporting the campaign Rethink which seeks to ensure people with severe mental health illnesses get access to the right treatments and that carers receive adequate information about the person they care for.

Only 14% of people with mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia receive any psychological therapy despite being strongly recommended by health watchdog NICE and 33% of carers do not receive basic information such as the diagnosis of the person they care for.

The recession’s impact is expected to increase demand on mental health services which are often seen as a soft option for cuts in hard times.

Adrian said, “Mental health affects one in four in the UK in their lifetime. Currently there are approximately 7000 people with mental illness in Torbay. These people are less likely to be eligible to vote, and without the right to vote how can they stand up and fight for their rights? It is vital that the next government looks out for these vulnerable people and prevents them being discriminated against.”

Comments

[Adrian]

Dear Paul,

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately the situation in Torbay is reflected throughout the country. With pressure on health budgets, it is simpler for the Government to provide funding to areas of medicine where success rates and cost effectiveness are easier to calculate. It is important that my colleagues and I, along with many other people who support mental health services in Torbay and beyond, continue to exert pressure on the Government to provide adequate funding both now and in the future.

[Paul]

Why is it that mental health services in today are being gradually eroded?

[Dawn Willis]

Thank you Mr Sanders! A Man who does what he says he will do!

[dave neenhan]

The exclusion of all mental health services from the NHS Patient Choice agenda is also a form of Disability Discrimination that leaves patients Choiceless and perpetuates a failing mental health system wholly predicated on coercion. Most MH patients have the capacity to make informed decisions yet Health Minister Phil Hope insists that because Patient Choice may not be appropriate for some mental health patients it must be denied to all of them.

The Government has introduced new legislation for even more compylsory treatment in exceptional cases and the Mental Health Act already has provisions that would address the concern Phil Hope raises.

Addressing how the state discriminates against mental health patients and people with mental health issues is the last taboo.