Mind comments on the case of Glaister Earl Butler

Posted Friday 20 May 2005

Richard Brook, Chief Executive of Mind, said:

"We deeply sympathise with those close to the victim in this dreadful case, resulting from unique and extreme factors. However, the knee-jerk and sensationalist response seen in some sections of the media is harmful in its generalist approach, equating people with mental health problems with dangerousness. Let us not forget that in the 40 years since the move from mental hospitals to care in the community there has been no increase in killings by people with a psychiatric history. We cannot allow this unusual case to prejudice society against all mental health service users rather than focusing on the system failures.  

As a founder member of the Mental Health Alliance, Mind is pleased that the recent House of Commons Joint Committee came out so strongly in condemnation of the Government's draft Mental Health Bill, putting forward 97 of the MHA's 105 recommendations. Legislation must be based on all the available evidence, not just the extreme cases we read about in the national press."

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