Another Poor Soul

I found out a couple of days ago that a friend of mine has died aged 32. I don't know the cause of her death, but she has had more than one serious attempt at suicide in the past, one of which left her in a wheel chair. She leaves behind a sister and a young lad. This brings the total suicides of people from the mental health system that I have known personally, to 19. It isn't healthy to keep a tally, but given the sorry state of treatment and the general understanding of illness, I think its important to remember every one of them. She suffered from severe depression.

Milliband Strides Out for Mental Health

I have written to Ed Milliband several times, even posting him a copy of the Mental Health Manifesto, and this week he will make a speech, saying that mental health in the UK needs to be improved in terms of access to a full range of therapies, (referring mainly to talking therapies), and comparing stigmatisation of the mentally ill, to racism and sexism. He says that "Just as we joined the fight against racism, against sexism and against homophobia, so we should join the fight against this form of intolerance." He goes on to say that "There are so many people in Britain today who could be treated but who are intimidated from seeking help." By intitimdated I'm guessing that he means people with depression who are too aware of other peoples attitudes. Colleagues, family and so on. I don't think he means people with ongoing severe mental illness who are too scared of being sectioned to tell their mental health team that they're not feeling well? Good for Mr Milliband though.

In other news a survey of mentally unwell young people has surprised me, and must have surpried others. The headline figure said that 90% of young people with a mental illness had suffered some form of discrimination. Unfortunately I cannot locate the source of this research. I saw a news story on the TV. But if I find it I will let you know...

The Vast and Gruesome Clutch of Our Law

Powered by EzineMark