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Welfare reform: what we're doing
Posted Friday 2 July 2010
We’ve heard loud and clear from our supporters in response to our blog post on the budget: welfare reform is a huge concern for many people with experience of mental distress and there is a feeling that we are not doing enough to address this issue head-on.
Let me assure all of our supporters that we care passionately about this issue and that, from the vital contribution of those who contact us, we are acutely aware of how fundamental the impact of changes in this area can be for people’s lives.
We are appalled by the language being used towards benefit claimants as the Coalition’s plans for reform are slowly made public. Very little in the way of concrete details have been announced, which makes it difficult for Mind to be comprehensive in its criticism, but also creates serious anxiety amongst those who may be affected. However, our CEO Paul Farmer has stated publicly what we want to see from any reform to welfare, whilst in response to the language being used, Policy and Campaigns Manager Emma Mamo spoke out on Radio 4’s World at One this week.
Meanwhile, as we wait for greater detail on what exactly is being proposed, we are working behind the scenes to try and influence the direction of travel. This is a highly complex and politically charged process, and we must make sure of ourselves before taking action. Working with around 30 other charities and organisations in the Disability Benefits Consortium we are presenting a united front on behalf of all disabled people to argue that the benefits system needs to be fair, transparent and accurately reflect the real-life circumstances for those in need of Government support.
It’s also important to remember that these are not new issues for us. For a long time, Mind has expressed concern that disability benefits were often used as an excuse to make no real effort to help people with mental or physical difficulties to be able to play an active part in society. Offering real dignity, support and assistance, to allow people to work or engage in other meaningful activity was being shunned in favour of simply paying the bare minimum to keep people off the unemployment count.
The previous Government, and the current one, have made a point of referring to Mind’s involvement in contributing to the development of the assessment for determining if someone is fit to work as some kind of badge of honour. Indeed, Mind was consulted about the development of Employment Support Allowance and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and the subsequent review of the WCA, as we are on many policies relating to mental health. However, we have been far from satisfied with the consultation process and the outcome, and have been public in our condemnation. Although our involvement can lead to accusations of consent even when we did not agree with the final outcomes, it is also worth considering the possibility that the test would be even less suitable without our input.
So what happens next? There will almost certainly be a Welfare Bill later this year and we will be extremely active in trying to ensure that it is sensitive to the needs and wishes of people with experience of mental distress. With something firm on the agenda to debate, we will publicly and privately campaign towards this goal, looking to involve our supporters wherever we can. As part of this process we will also focus on encouraging a drastic rethink of the WCA before the migration of Incapacity Benefit claimants begins later this year.
Tom Pollard, Policy and Campaigns Assistant — Mind
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25 Comments
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I have been going through the process of having my benefit stopped and the last 4 weeks since before the medical have been hell. I have actually asked on Mr Camerons page if they could take people like Mind into account and in the process to make it safer and more fair. Thank you for being thre for us. I have gone so far backwards in this process and am hoping to be reinstated with my appeal, so I can get on with getting past PTSD & chronic fatigue, which is in my opinion psychosomatic at least it is how I find it and insomnia which is all to do with overloads of extended stress. The stress of this is awful. I am praying they will listen to you. Thank you.
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What is happening here is nothing short of a government hellbent on sending people with diabilities back into the cupboard. I agree reform does need to happen but to cloak it under fraud protection is wrong. As fraud accounts for a smaller percentage than DWP errors!
All the claims of reassesment serve to do is further alienate the vunerable in society and reinforce the publics ignorance about disability.
It is my firm belief that the government actions in singling out the vunerable to appease it's bloodthirsty axe account to discrimination. Where in the Disability Discrimination Act does it state it is fair to increase stress and reduce quality of life?
These reforms contravene both the DDA and Human Rights... It is time for all the disability charities and groups form their own coalition to fight for the rights of the vunerable!! -
Tired Eyes:
Is an Open Up initiative challenging mental health discrimination. It has statistics showing that the high disability claimant count is related to the very high percentage of people with mental health problems.
It made a study of three of the most important reports on UK Unemployment and found that they all didn't acknowledge the high numbers of people with mental distress in this country, preferring to see the high disability claimant rate is an indicator of people avoiding work. This is political blindness of mental health.
And it warns of market-orientated, non-interventionist policies that particularly undermine mental stability of the unemployed, and the resultant health and financial costs that would occur.
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Please keep fighting, and not only for those that might be able to get into work but also for those of us too unstable to be able to hold down a job.
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"We are appalled by the language being used towards benefit claimants".
I'm glad that was mentioned.
I remember a budget response broadcast by Mr Osborne on the BBC and he said something like, "Why should you have to go out to work each morning, and have to see your neighbours curtains closed because they are living on benefits" (I can't remember the exact wording). It screamed of the stereotypes. None of the main parties in power over the last two years seem to have taken any care about their wording, or consider its impact. They are either ignorant or are it's a deliberate tactic. Maybe even both.
I would personally love to see a public campaign to try and undo some of the damage. Make it more unacceptable, anything. I have doubts that private lobbying can do much good when much of the public are increasingly frothing at the mouth at claimants.
I have a chronic mental illness, and I feel resigned to the gutter and a lifetime of battling to prove that in I am no more or no less disabled than someone in a wheelchair.
Apparently Mr Osborne said that they are replacing the ‘complicated’ application forms with a new stricter medical instead. How is that going to help me get the help I need? I cannot speak well or explain my difficulties under stress. I’ll be easy to score off the list and that is without considering a change in goal posts. Although the current application form is tough, I have weeks to gather evidence and explain in every detail what I go through.
The government needs to clarify their position, and quick. Because a lot of us are very afraid and rightly so.
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One the main architects of the latest ESA benefits medical test has admitted that the test he had part in devising is deeply flawed. Seriously ill people, some with terminal illnesses, Parkinson's, and mental health conditions are being found fit for work totally inappropriately. The government have said that they are making adjustments to the test to take more account this. However, in the absence of any clear information and concrete proof, we cannot rely on any words that emanate from those who seem to not understand and care even less about the vulnerable in their rhetoric.
I am trying to devise a statement that I intend to read out at interviews/medicals when called for by the DWP. You may have heard that Doctors have been instructed at these DWP medicals to tell you that it is not they who make the decision on weather you are fit for work or not. This is no less than a deliberate cop-out by those doctors who choose to take pay for putting patients through what is now admitted to be a flawed system. I would urge people to remind these doctors of their duties toward their patients. I do not accept this implied ignorance that the doctor wouldn't know if you would fail the test or not.
Apart from this, there is the out and out social prejudice of oppressing the vulnerable and poor whilst the rich continue to get richer. Whilst those who do not need universal benefits continue to have no choice but to receive them like it or not. The privilaged continue to be privilaged as, those who buy their children's education (which is in reality buying their place on the ladder) continue to recieve child benefit whilst the single parent who might have to take in a bit of ironing to make ends meet gets a criminal record and a likely prison sentence for 'doing the best for their children'.
Mental health/medical issues do not exsist in isolation to wider social justice. I would like to see us organise a response on this reality.
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I just found this: http://benefitsandwork.co.uk/blogs/2010/07/05/coalition-begins-smear-campaign-against-dla-claimants/
It think that blog post has some valid points.
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Can I ask, why isn't Mind being more vocal and public about the risks of kicking people off benefits erroneously? As the Government doesn't seem interested in making medicals and descriptors more accurate, it would appear that there is a straight choice between a bit of money being taken fraudulently from the public purse and people dying. Not "just" disabled people dying, either. People with mental health problems could become a danger to anyone if they're put under too much stress (I know I could, and it scares me).
No more talk of "causing extreme distress", please, start telling the Government/press/whoever that people are going to die. At least their nastier prejudices will then be exposed when they're forced to admit they don't care.
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Also, thanks Robert for the link to the Tired Eyes blog. Fantastic. I'll link to it where I can.
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Thanks Jan.
I fear, unfortunately, people at MIND are ill-equipped to cope with the bullying tactics of the press and politicians.
What this Government is doing is ideological. It is not that they are making a few errors of judgment, it is that they believe in small state regardless of people's lives, health, families and communities.
They believe money rules and we are all expected to enslave ourselves to their hierarchy or scramble in the mud, fighting each other for left-overs.
But we can bring down these idiots, we really can. The Coalition is very weak and will start to unravel.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jul/06/disability-living-allowance-reassessment-mental-health
It would mean all the charities [mental health and disability] getting together with one voice, CEO's on the news, street protests, a concerted effort, but it's not going to happen, none of the charities are strong enough [and I mean no disrespect to Mind when I say that because Rethink, Together, RADAR etc are no better]. The tide could be changed but it would mean massive co-ordinated efforts and none of them can deliver it. 'Behind the scenes' work clearly has no impact.
It will come down to all of the charities highlighting the suicides and readmissions, but that's sadly too late
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Please remember that good people out there do not buy into this attack on sickness benefit claimants. Remember that 2.5 million people are on this benefit, they will have family/friends that know them so let us assume that there are millions who have direct/indirect experience of the reality of life of benefits. I am saying this because having a mental illness can be isolating and the attacks by Govt and press can feel very personal.
Fact, even the home office statistics reveal that fraud accounts for only 0.3 % of IB claims. Basically It does not bother me if a tiny number of working class people are supplimenting their income in this way, most fraud involves tax evasion by the rich lets not forget.
As for the charities mounting a fightback, I think Mind etal do what they can but any fightback can not be done in isolation, it has to involve wider society. The mantra 'we're all in this together' can be turned around so that working class people in work or out can begin to challenge the idea that we should pay for a recession that is not of our making.
I hate to think of anyone driven to total despair by welfare reform, again please remember people are on your side.
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Ye but where is the campaign? Autism groups have one
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Years ago my brother took his own life during a bout of depression triggered by pressures in his working life.
I have also battled with anxiety and depression and whilst acknowledging the benefits of work, I have personally found it very difficult to cope for any length of time in a whole range of salaried and voluntary jobs. Work is good for you propaganda has not helped me overcome my fear of not being able to cope, letting people down or being bullied again.
With further job losses on the horizon and increased feelings of insecurity, now is a very good time for Mind to be focusing on wellbeing in the workplace, but a very bad time for our government to be coercing people with debilitating mental and physical illnesses into looking for work. There is simply far too much competition for jobs and not enough flexibility or professional support. Whilst anti-discrimination campaigns are very important and will help increase opportunities for people with disabilities, equality is a long term aim and there will always be a part of of our society not well enough to sustain employment.
Forcing people with already distressing and often very painful illnesses to live on only sixty pounds something a week on Jobs Seekers Allowance (and all that entails) is unforgivable.
Like Linda and the many people who have contributed to Mind's welfare reform blogs, I am deeply troubled by the notion of people being driven to despair by the irresponsible actions of our government and their medical provider.
I also urge anyone suffering in the workplace or at the hands of the benefit system to seek the support of their family, friends, doctor or one of many support agencies including Mind and Citizens Advice.
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We have yet to get passed the notion that the default position is one of every adult meeting their cost of living requirments through exchanging their labour for cash.
There is a vague acceptance that those who posses wealth and those with extreme and complex disabling conditions will not be employed, but how the rest fair will allways be subject to change and manipulation.
When voiciferous groups protest loudly and in a sustained manner, those whose positions are at risk from challenge will react.
Unfortunately, our politicians are currently mostly challenged by huge numbers of people aggreived with how they are fairing under the present economic climate, workers getting scant reward, insecure emplyment and losing the fruits of their labour in the shape of their homes, businesses.and lifestyle.
Quick, the challenged need to deflect attention and appear to be able to redirect resources. Somebody not deserving of a dip in the pot or taking too much needs to be outed. They can't be loud and influencial sooo... aha! Benefits claimants will do very nicely.We know there are those who choose not to work... but hey, the decision may be a sound one if you can leave aside moral issues. For lots of folk, unemployment is not a short term situation and everyday cannot be filled with ferverish jobseeking activitiies or the wearing of the hair shirt of penance. Life goes on, but it is not qiute the same as being on holiday from work which those still employed would like to have months of. It is easy to say those who don't earn their income should not be enjoying the same lifestyle as those who work hard... but why?
Is it that workers should recieve better remuneration than subsitence level benefits or the idea that if life was less pleasant folk would seek work? Whichever, there aren't even small numbers of mindless, unskilled, drudgery jobs to force people into at this time, let alone the kinds of jobs, work patterns and support to allow those with chronic conditions to be gainfully, usefully, or lets really go for it, happily employed.
Lots of eveidence already exists enabling all genuinely interested to pick apart and understand benefit dependancy, jobless deserts, the economic and social role of the jobless in supporting both those in work and the wider community, and the emplyment support that neds to be put in place for those who have additional needs etc... but never let the truth spoil a good rallying call : )
It is difficult to challenge a massive platform that has uninformed support when a lot of those effected negatively by proposed measures may not be best placed to advocate for themselves, and may have diffculty mobilising themselves to the bathrroom without asistance, let alone a protest march. But we do!
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I understand that there is a degree of activity. However, I have come here almost every day in the hope of a decisive and up to date condemnation on the latest budget announcement and attacks on those with mental health problems. There has been no main news item (other than a blog post), or statement from the CEO. On the 23rd... the only “news” that came out of Mind has been a pat on the back for “Government spending on psychological therapies”. Oh come on. We’re anxious, worried and we need to know that there will be a stronger fight this time.
Other charities have managed to release statements. There is enough information released to at least issue a strong and public condemnation. There is no time to wait. I am tired of waiting just for it all to be too late. Again...
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MIND won't do anything serious to help benefit claimants.
The problem for many minorities struggling for acceptance and fighting stigma is not discrimination particular to their identity but class prejudice. In 1992, many black professionals were shocked at the Los Angeles riots and the fact that black people are still oppressed in the USA. They thought racism was a think of the 60s. How wrong they are.
All movements challenging discrimination are split into two camps. The Uncle Toms, who want to pretend "we can all be like them", that with a little bit of understanding, we can all get a job and work just as hard and we'll be able to manage doped up with SSRI's or anti-psychotics.
And then there is the radicals who want to fight the system as they recognise it is the system that plays a major part in causing us ill health.
MIND are a good charity to turn to for individual help but don't expect anything in terms of campaigning! Middle-class hard-working MIND are essentially the Uncle Toms.
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The Treasury website seeking cost saving ideas is full of abuse towards those claiming benefits, just like all the people who post comments on newspaper sites, but no one is addressing this.
This is a new and highly specific form of discrimination but will the anti-stigma campaigns address this? I doubt it.
There should be co-ordinated campaigns by all the charities and user/survivor groups, but the charities need to take the lead but why won't they? They don't receive Section 64 funding anymore. There was a coalition against the worst aspects of the MHA but not here? This will affect far more people.
All I can say to all the charities is this - please don't take credit for highlighting the readmissions/suicides -
Here's the site: http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
Note that benefits are at the top of the list.
Like newspaper public comments sections it's as though benefit claimants are being put in the stocks for public vilification and throwing of horse shit.
What next? A Warsaw ghetto? -
Maybe a cost-saving idea to put on Osborne's new website would be for the government to provide a Dignitas service in the UK so those of us suffering unbearably as a direct result of this government can do something about it in comfort and dignity, and also save the country from funding all those 56-inch plasma screen TVs and endless holidays that all benefit claimants are supposed to be able to afford according to the media. It would certainly be better than this endless hate campaign against us - I feel like every time I read anything about the plans someone jumps out of my screen and punches me in the face.
Come on Mind, where are you?! We need ACTION, not blog posts!
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@Annika
"Come on Mind, where are you?! We need ACTION, not blog posts!"
Quite right Annika but still no action or significant statements despite over 80 comments from more than 40 worried, scared contributors, replying to the blog posts on welfare reform. Us 40 people represent only a tiny fraction of the number who are now living in fear of losing income and their homes though, so it seems we're just talking amongst ourselves.
It seems we are too small in number and our voices aren't loud enough to be heard here. If Mind can't hear us, we have no hope with the government.
Who WILL listen? What CAN we do?
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Yes, we are too small a number and our voices are not loud enough, that is why the Govt is confident in attacking us under the guise of 'helping us back to work.'
Would like to see a society where those who want to work have a right to a job and those who can't do not suffer any drop in living standards.I would like to see a society where people can work when they can and be provided for when can without the beurocratic nightmare of the benefits system.
But we don't live in such a world, not yet. Something I would like to see is proper debate, public meetings for example where professionals, the public (and that is us!) can engage in free speech and attack the myths surrounding the demonising of ill people.
Most people fear mental illness and that is the problem, they can sympathise but they thank god its not happening to them. Many of these blogs are heartbreaking and are tough reading for anyone let alone someone who knows what mental illness is like.
Keep on writing to MP's, newspapers, go on radio phone in's (I include Mind in this). Yes, in isolation our voice is small but the more we try and raise these issues the better
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I have recently read a briefing used by a charity involved in the welfare reform ESA medical discussions. with the previous New Labour government.
It clearly states that the medical assessments for ESA should be DEMEDICALISED. That is why they do not consult with doctors and consultants. Why should they when it is not a medical issue in their view?
Once the government had that support from some charities it was obvious that the test then became task related and that is why so many are now losing their sickness benefit and those that get work related ESAwill be continually retested until they can be put on JSA..ATOS and the DWP will probably use any evidence from the forced work related ESA regime that in itself comes from the threat of financial sanctions for non compliance such as time keeping skills etc at the next medical. It is a modern ducking stool method
Lord Kirkwood Lib/Con in the House of Lords a week ago at the ESA debate said it would take 10 to 15 Years to obtain the single working adult benefit. an that would be basically the end of work related sickness benefit.He also spoke about a million disabled people getting a job from the old IB claimants. Utopian fantasy land dreamed up by the demedicalisation brigade.
the debate is on Hansard . If anyone wants it I could post a link.
Incidentally is it possible for someone at MIND to request the Chris Grayling MP DWP tones down the rhetoric, he makes people feel ill, I have told him so myself by email not that he will listen.
The list of people involved in welfare reform receiving an OBE or other award from the government (Queen) seems to be getting larger all the time whilst so many lose their sickness benefit and get ill.Paul
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Yes, an ex DWP Chief Medical Officer received a knighthood for his services to healthcare whilst employed by Unum, the disability insurance company at the heart of welfare reform.
It was therefore no surprise to me to discover that Atos Healthcare were using Unum as their 'independent tier', investigating complaints against them. Unum are actively encouraging people to take out private medical insurance; essentially because the state provision they are instrumental in pulling apart, can no longer be relied upon. Questions have to be asked about impartiality and conflict of interest.
I suspect people with pre-existing mental health conditions could face exclusion from insurance policies or very high premiums, as is the case with travel insurance. Why are national insurance contributuions no longer guaranteeing people sickness benefit cover when they need it? Perhaps Mind could advise on this subject.
We all know that the quality of medical advice provided by Atos Healthcare can be appalling, so I very much welcome the news that Mind's Paul Farmer will be included in a scrutiny group set up to look at ESA and its failure to protect people with distressing and long term mental and physical illnesses and disabilities.
Atos Healthcare should be subject to the same level of regulation and accountability as NHS doctors and other practitioners, but they are clearly getting away with blatant malpractice.
Are the Royal College of Psychiatrists and other medical bodies included in the scrutiny group? I sincerely hope so as it is totally unacceptable that patients are being destabilized and living in fear of frightening medicals and the down-grading of benefit to a level that is impossible to live on. All this at a time when continuity of care is also being threatened by cuts and changes in the way mental health services are being delivered.
It is totally unacceptable that medical information and a description of functional capability provided by claimants, their carers, GPs, psychiatrists and other specialists is being dismissed by Atos Healthcare and DWP decision-makers.
The DWP have successfully used the propaganda that 'people on incapacity benefit for longer than two years are more likely to die than get a job' to sell the principles of ESA. If this is true - how can it be in any way appropriate to subject existing people on IB to the deeply flawed ESA/JSA regime?
The government should simply be looking at ways of tackling discrimination and increasing support and the level of flexible work opportunities. Threatening vulnerable people with sanctions and forcing them on to JSA will only lead to great hardship and worsening mental and physical health - nothing else.
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I had a long career before bipolar took such a hold i had to go of "sick" this was 8 years ago, a couple of years ago I attended a brilliant recovery course that along with doing some voluntary work and service user involvement meant i was at a stage when i wanted to return to work, I applied for many jobs but it seems no-one wanted to employ me. Over the past few months with all i have read and heard about the ESA and comments in the media, i have regressed so much that now i rarely leave my home, live in panic,fear and anxiety, not just becuase i fear about being placed on JSA and risk losing my home but also with the knowledge that dispite a long career it appears to be impossible to actually get a job. All this has set me back years in my recovery journey and all i feel is despair. Please be our voice MIND
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