A 2013 Mental Health Round Up

     I can certainly say that 2013 has been another big year for mental health. the year has seen increases in media coverage on mental health; some good and some bad. The beginning of the year saw Time To Change's advertising campaign come on to our telly boxes, encouraging us to talk about mental health and to break down the wall of stigma that surrounds it, mid-year saw Stephen Fry opening up and talking about his experiences of suicidal feelings and his previous attempt last year, and only a couple of months ago saw the outrage at Tesco, Asda and Amazon and their selling of 'mental patient' Halloween costumes, as well as Thorpe Parks offensive 'Asylum' 'attraction' - just to name a few

     In this blog post I have compiled a list, like I did last year, of this years biggest stories on mental health.

     January saw the TV screenings of Time To Change's advert on mental health stigma, encouraging viewers to start conversations about mental health, with an aim to remove the 'fear and awkwardness that stop people from talking about mental health' [1], this time focusing more on people that do not necessarily have much knowledge about mental health but helping them to feel that they can start a conversation.

     May 16th saw Parliament give another debate on mental health, following the landmark debate that occurred last June; where a number of MPs spoke out about their experiences of mental health problems for the first time. Paul Burstow, Charles Walker and Madeleine Moon initiated the debate, and covered a wide range of subjects including: the addressing of inequalities between physical and mental health services; discussion of improving acute and crises services; tackling the issues of the inequalities experienced by ethnic minority in mental health services; talks over making improvements to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA); as well as talks over providing better support for people with mental health problems wishing to enter the workplace, as well as, working with employers to build better support working environments. If you wish to read more you can read the proceedings in the Hansard here.

     Early June saw Stephen Fry speak out about his experiences of bipolar disorder, suicidal feelings, and his suicide attempt last year. Whilst Fry has been commended for his openness and raising awareness of bipolar depression and suicide, unfortunately there have been one too many insensitive troglodytes making sarky, misinformed comments - highlighting that there is still quite a way to go in tackling mental health stigma.

     July witnessed BBC 3's 'It's A Mad World Season', a week of programmes that covered a wide range of topics surrounding mental health, similar to the project carried out by Channel 4 (Channel 4 Goes Mad) in the previous year. The week saw the broadcasting of a number of documentaries and programmes that explored mental health units, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, suicide, eating disorders, as well as delving into other issues such as the wall of stigma that surrounds mental health, as well as the effects of funding cuts to health services.

     In August Time to Change launched its 'It's time to talk' campaign, with an aim to stamp out the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as encouraging others to talk about mental health. Ambassadors such as Frankie Sandford, Ruby Wax, Rachel Bruno, Russell Kane and many more wore #TimeToTalk temporary tattoos and took to social networking sites to help further the campaign.

My #TimeToTalk tat

     Late September experienced an uproar when supermarkets Asda and Tesco, as well as on-line retailer Amazon, were selling 'mental patient' fancy dress costumes. After many complaints and petitions, the supermarkets, at last, withdrew these 'costumes', apologized and made donations to mental health charities. Whilst such an atrocity should have never happened in the first place, this gave us an opportunity to see the work we have ahead of us, as well as how many people are willing to stand for mental health and challenge the prejudices and stigmas that surround it.

     October saw another uproar, at Thorpe Park's 'The Asylum'. The 'attraction' included walking through a mock psychiatric hospital, whereby 'actors' would pretend to be mental patients; some of which jumping down from fences, jumping out onto visitors and others chasing them with chainsaws. Thousands signed a petition to urge the park to close the 'attraction' and to rename it. A spokeswoman for Thorpe park said that there are going to be meetings at some time after the new year; as of yet, however, we are still unsure as whether such an appalling attraction is yet to see another year.

     2013, in my opinion, has been a notable year for mental health; it has seen quite a few bricks removed from the wall of stigma; however, more still needs to be done - not only to keep breaking down this wall, but also removing those stubborn bricks, as well as preventing these bricks being piled back on. Let us see what 2014 has in store.

Wishing each and every one of you all the best for the new year!

BMNM.

[1]  http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-us/about-our-campaign/start-your-conversation-2013

Thorpe Park - The Asylum

   Last month it was Tesco and Asda, this month the culprit is Thorpe Park. This Halloween the troglodytes Thorpe Park and Liongate have teamed up to bring theme-park goers 'terrifyingly entertaining horror attractions', one of them being called 'The Asylum'.

     The 'attraction' includes walking through a mock psychiatric hospital, with 'actors' playing mental patients; some of which are jumping down from fences, jumping out onto visitors and others chasing them with chainsaws. Top marks to Thorpe Park for reinforcing an incorrect negative stereotype of mental illness.

     Discriminating against people with mental illnesses is just utterly unacceptable. This makes me sick to my stomach. Once again, some idiot(s) has thought that doing something like would be acceptable and that nobody would batter an eyelid. No!

     Many people, including myself took to Twitter to complain and show our disgust to Thorpe Park. They had the audacity to tweet this:

     'A fantastical experience'?! What on earth are they thinking? How can they get it so wrong? The only right about that tweet is that it is not 'a realistic portrayal of a mental health institution'. That being the case why are they even hosting such an 'attraction'? Do they not realise how offensive this is to so many people? Whether it is intended or not to be a realistic portrayal it still reinforces the negative stereotype that people with mental health problems are violent and murderous. When in actual fact people with mental health problems are far more likely to be victims of violence - it is things such as these that can evoke such violence and hostility towards people with mental health problems. As well as this, such hostility is what can prevent someone from seeking the help they desperately need.

     I fear that Thorpe Park don't care what we think, or how much they have offended so many people. As long as it makes them money then that is all they care about. I am suggesting a boycott; hit them where it hurts - their wallet. Perhaps that is the only way to get this 'attraction' withdrawn, unless they have any shred of human decency or compassion (which I doubt they do). This is not the end of this.

     Click on the link below to sign the petition to get 'Thorpe Park to close the stigmatising Asylum maze and to donate to Time to Change':
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/thorpe-park-close-down-the-stigmatising-asylum-maze?share_id=EPOrwMGCZf&utm_campaign=share_button_mobile&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

BMNM.

Mental Health Bill Victory!

     Remember a previous blog-post of mine? I asked you to 'back the bill, the Mental Health Bill'. If this is your first time here then probably not (ah well). Anyway...
     The Mental Health Bill, proposed by Gavin Barwell MP, was to repeal and amend pieces of legislation that discriminated against those with mental health problems. These pieces of legislation included: 

• the Mental Health Act 1983, Section 141 (an MP automatically loses their seat if they're sectioned under the Mental Health Act for more than 6 months),
• the Juries Act 1974 (a 'mentally disordered person' cannot undertake jury service), 
• and the Companies [Model Articles] Regulations 2008 (a person can cease to be a director of a public/private company by reason of their mental health).

     Recently, the Bill successfully passed in the Commons and gained approval in the Lords. All it needs now to become is law is the Royal Assent.

     This Bill becoming law is a milestone, a fantastic moment for people affected by mental health problems - its also a great step into breaking the wall of stigma that surrounds mental health and to improving the quality of life by removing barriers and helping enable people to live a fulfilling life. 
     Although this is a tremendous day for mental health, there is still long way to go; from improving mental health services to standing up to and fighting against stigma and prejudice. But still, let us share this victory. 
     A huge thanks to all who supported the Bill - to those who contacted their MPs to raise awareness, to those campaigned and urged others for support, to those who 'backed the bill'. 
Thank you!    

BMNM.

Mental Health - Let's Get Talking

     January is over and February is here. How are those new years resolutions coming along?  Congrats if you're still going - you rock! But if you've fallen off the metaphorical wagon or horse don't give up - brush yourself down and get back on that metaphorical wagon/horse that we talked about earlier.
     Even though the year is still young, I feel that this year will be a great year for mental health. Even though there are more and more people are talking, there is still a wall of stigma; but I believe that the more we walk about mental health the more the wall gets broken down.

     At this time 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination. I believe that it is the myths surrounding mental health that are perhaps the biggest contributor this stigma. Here are a few of these myths...

1. Mental health problems are very rare.
2. People with mental health problems are very different from other people.
3. Only celebrities get mental illnesses.
4. People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.
5. It's best to leave people alone if they develop a mental health problem.

When in reality...

1. Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 people.
2. We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health.
3. Anyone can be affected by a mental illness, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background.
4. People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence.
5. Most people with mental health problems will want to keep in touch with their friends, family and colleagues. Keeping in touch can be a great help in their recovery.

These experiences of stigma and discrimination against mental illness can have very harmful effects. It can:

• prevent an individual from applying or gaining a job,
• leave an individual feeling isolated from friends and family,
• most importantly, prevent someone from seeking help when they may need it most  due to feelings of embarrassment or fear of discrimination.

You might be thinking now 'What can I do about this?'. Well, I have a few suggestions. 

You don't have be a mental health expert to be supportive (but some knowledge can help). But doing nothing, or avoiding the issue, can making things worse. If someone close to you (a friend, family member or colleague) is experiencing mental health problems or a mental illness there are a lot of small things you can do that make a BIG difference. 

• Be there to talk and listen.
• It can be very hard for somebody to tell someone about a mental health problem out of fear of reactions. If someone talks to you, acknowledge their problem and let them know you're there for them.
• Make time to stay in touch, carry on with whatever you'd normally do.
• Ask them how you can help; people will need support at different times and in different ways.
• Also bear in mind that having a mental health problem is just one part of the person; don't define them by this alone. Speak about other things - TV, movies, music etc.
• Furthermore, think about the words you use. Using words like 'crazy', 'nutter', 'loony' or 'psycho' can hurt and only reinforce the stigma of mental health.

     For further help and advice, whenever you may want or need it, you can turn to mental health organisations like Mind, YoungMinds, Time to Change, Rethink, and many more.

     So, with these tips in your arsenal why not start a conversation about mental health?

Let's get talking!!

BMNM.

Support the Mental Health Bill!

    I'm asking you to back the bill, the Mental Health Bill - whether you're a member of the public or work within Parliament. On the 14th September this Bill will be debated within the House of Commons, and we need all the support we can get. I suppose you are asking: 'What is the Mental Health Bill?'
     This Bill will repeal and amend pieces of outdated legislation that discriminate against those with mental health problems. It will remove barriers that are set in law that contribute to the stigmatization of mental illness. It will also show the public that the discrimination of people with mental health problems will not be accepted or tolerated.
     The Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill was introduced the House of Commons on the 20th June by Gavin Barwell MP. The Bill so far has made some progress within the House of Lords with Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, however, before the Bill had a chance to become an Act the parliamentary session ended. It's second reading will occur on the 14th September.     
 
     The law currently stands that:

• An MP automatically loses their seat if they are sectioned under the Mental Health Act for more than 6 months (Mental Health Act 1983, Section 141), 
• A 'mentally disordered person' cannot undertake jury service (Juries Act 1974),
• And that a person can cease to be a director of a public or private company 'by reason of their mental health' (Companies [Model Articles] Regulations 2008).

      
     These pieces of legislation build into the old-fashioned and discriminating idea that people can never recover from a mental health problem, and that they cannot be trusted to be part of social, political or economic life. The messages received from these current pieces of legislation make it seem that because the law can discriminate so can we. No.
     This Bill is a very important stepping stone, or bridge (or whatever metaphor you fancy) to making a society where people with mental health problems can feel that they can participate to their full potential, without the discrimination and stigmatization that currently surrounds mental health.
     The amount of the support the Bill has is fantastic - Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists are all supporting the Mental Health Bill, as are large numbers of the public. The Government has also stated that the Bill is in line with the coalition's mental health strategy and will support it to become law. However, more support is still needed. On the 14th September the Bill will be throuroughly analysed, examined and debated; and it is crucial that as many MPs as possible attend this debate and support this Bill to become law. You can help by getting yourself, and others, into contacting to your MP, whether it's face-to-face, on the phone, tweeting, or via e-mail. Making this Bill law will help to improve the lives of many. We hope we can count on your support. Thank you.

  To keep track on how the Bill is going you can look here: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/mentalhealthdiscriminationno2.html 

BMNM.