Mental distress has social and economic consequences; it can affect family life and make it difficult for people to engage with work, education and social activities. Consequently, appropriate social care working hand in hand with medical treatment is key to recovery for those experiencing mental distress.
It can provide personal support in the home and help in accessing a range of social, cultural and training activities, exercise and respite. It can also support families by providing back-up help when parents can't cope and help someone rebuild an independent life in the community after a hospital stay. Sadly, most mental health patients do not receive the social services they need.
Read more about community mental health and social care.
The Government recently published a Green Paper outlining its proposals to reform the way social care is funded in England. A consultation on the proposals ran from July to November 2009, and the Government plans to publish a White Paper in 2010.
Mind has submitted a response to the Green Paper, based on consultation with people who have experience of mental distress and use social care services. We have concerns that the current proposals are largely silent on mental health and do not address the current barriers to care and support faced by some people with mental health problems.
In particular, Mind was concerned that the Green Paper suggested Attendance Allowance (AA) and other disability benefits might be abolished and the money rolled in to general social care funding in the future. Following a petition launched by Mind and other disability charities, and signed by over 20,000 people, the Government has now ruled out scrapping Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for under 65s, which is an extremely important benefit for people with experience of mental distress. However, we remain concerned that AA and DLA for over 65s are still being considered.
We launched an Early Day Motion (a parliamentary petition) which many of you lobbied your MP to sign. It was signed by over 100 MPs, and a recent debate in parliament demonstrated the strength of support for DLA/AA among the public and politicians of all parties. Following this, the Conservatives have now pledged to protect DLA/AA, if they are elected as the next Government.
Thanks to all supporters who have engaged in the campaign!
Read more on the context of the Green Paper and Mind's consultation of users of social care services
Read Mind's full response
The Government also aims to personalise care services. This means the promotion of independent living through personal budgets. It involves those experiencing mental distress deciding, in consultation with their care workers, what services they need, managing them and paying for them directly.
We support the principles of independent living and are working with the University of Bristol on Putting us First, a project which aims to make sure that more people with mental health needs get a chance to use personal budgets.
Visit the Care Quality Commission website.
Find out more about the Government's proposals on the DirectGov website.
Read Mind's response to the 2008 consultation.
Putting us First – a project by Mind and the University of Bristol about direct payments and individual budgets for people who use mental health services.
Personalisation of care services – Mind's quick guide to the terminology.