Posted: Thursday 1 April 2010
Easter comes but once a year…and so does the Department of Health's annual survey of attitudes towards mental health! Oh alright, it was a tenuous link but what do you want from me on the eve of a long weekend?!!
But seriously, since 1994, the Department has been collecting data on public attitudes towards mental health, enabling it to track trends and changes over time. Challenging negative attitudes is central to everything we do as Mind campaigners, and as a partner of Time to Change. It's also a crucial feature of our election campaigning.
It’s fair to say the results are mixed. Broadly speaking, fewer people now agree with negative statements about mental health than in 1994. For example, the proportion agreeing that mental health facilities “downgrade the neighbourhood” has fallen from 22 per cent to 18 per cent.
16 per cent of people now know that mental health problems affect one in four people, whereas only 12 per cent were aware of that in 1994 (although an incredible 16 per cent think that 1 in 100 are affected...).
Compared to 1994, more people agree that mental illness is “an illness like any other”, and that the best therapy for many is “to be part of a normal community”.
But sadly a mere 26 per cent agree that ex-inpatients can be trusted as babysitters, and agreement with statements such as “we need to adopt a more tolerant attitude towards people with mental health” has fallen.
It’s difficult to know what to make of these seemingly contradictory figures. On the one hand, they confirm that attitudes can and do change over time, and that our campaigning can make a difference.
But it’s also clear that changing attitudes is the work of generations, and we need long-term funding, support and stamina to do it.
Two steps forward, one step back....
Louise Kirsh, Parliamentary Officer
It's sad to see that it's a case of 2 steps forward and 1 step back. The attitude changing is a long term thing and it will take time.
It is a shame that the tolerance toward mental health statement has dropped.
If society took a more active role and ownership of such issues, it would make it a better place for us (meaning those with mental health issues, past and present - myself included) to live in
If society was more accepting of people different from themselves for mental health issues I am sure less people would get to the stage of hospitalisation due to being educated enough to get themselves and loved ones help/be support before it came to that result. I also think the media has a lot to do stop reinforcing negative images of mental health issues in films, tv and the news.
i think the figures are disturbing and disgusting. what the hell is the point with those odds, mind is just as guilty of adding to the turmoil it seems with the average worker being clueless and also judgemental. perhaps if mental health services were not so bigoted and prejudiced themselves they could start telling other people what to think.
In my view the lives of those who suffer from a mental illness in this Country are generally gettting worse and in my view it is going to get a lot more difficult in the next few years as scapegoats are needed for the greed that has taken place by others over the past 20 years.
Society either wants to lock people up or class them as benefit scroungers. Disclosure issues are getting worse as the state in all its guises together with big business and insurance penalise individuals for having an illness.
Employers are as discriminatory as ever, both inside the workplace and applying for jobs. discriminatory laws are useless and more and more individuals and organisations are profiteering from our problems as government gives them money in return for pressurising people with devious medicals and sanctions into workfare like schemes and training for jobs that do not exist.
Paul
I am in the process of drafting a grievance alleging discrimination contrary to the DDA. I suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. The grievance is merely a necessary step to an Employment Tribunal. I have been reviewing the massive collection of evidence that I have and came across a comment made by my line manager (who for some really wierd reason cannot connect my illness with me - he thinks he can send it to HR for them to deal with, while he deals with me) that indicates he thinks I should not be at work at all, but sitting at home doing nothing. This in the face of my doctor confirming I am fit for work and their own occupational health doctors stating twice (once when I joined and later when confirmation of the diagnosis was sought) that I am fit for work and capable of doing the job with some - very simple - reasonable adjustments being made. Clearly he thinks I should be sectioned.
If this is the typical thinking of employers, then I finally understand how perfectly competent people end up on the scrap heap purely because they have the misfortune to suffer from a mental illness, and the prejudice of their employers. I aim to prove to my employers and an ET that this deep-seated prejudice is the root of the discrimination and victimisation that I have had to endure since I almost suffered a breakdown. If I can prove that, then the ET might not be necessary, but if my employers continue to ignore the evidence, then go to ET I will to show that the attitude of employers towards those with mental health conditions that are being treated and where the condition is noticeably improving continue to be stuck in the Victorian era.
As for trying to find a new job, the only ones where I might stand a chance of reaching interview stage are those where only a covering letter and CV are required. Anything else and I know there is no point filling in the form. Roll on autumn when at least one barrier to being considered for roles disappears.
Fairly predictable results given current state policy.
The extension of the concept of 'mental illness' into 'mental health problem' has allowed a normalisation of the issue. Most people will know someone with a 'mental health problem' and will often have a sympathetic leaning.
On the other hand the abject failure to address the increasing levels of violence amongst the smaller number of people with a serious mental illness leaves the public with cause to retain (and even increase) their long standing fears. Attempts to cover up serious incidents under the doctrine of 'stigma' are not working. If you want to change this public attitude then you are going to have to address the issue that no one is allowed to mention.
Looking at the latest proposals for the work capability assessement for sickness benefits we are certainly heading for dangerous times.
I am not trying to frighten sufferers, I suffer badly myself but it is all too clear what is happening.
Work related Sickness benefit is being scrapped almost altogether in my view under a pack of half truths by politicians of all three main parties
Even Job Seekers allowance is under threat by time limitation.
Check New Labour/Tory manifestos
I would like to ask the Chief Executive of MIND and other major charity CEO's many of whom are earning well over £100,000 a year if they now regret dealing with New Blue Tory/ Labour on Welfare Reform?
This issue goes well beyond money, this is all about humiliation of people with disabilities. It is no good now sufferers being in anyway shielded from this because they are going to be upset anyway in the near future. I believe Beveridge one of the designers of the welfare state in 1942 words similar that "if you did not work you did not deserve to have the benefits of society"
that is what is being delivered in no uncertain terms, All the guilt is passed onto the individual whatever their circumstances.
Paul
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