Mind holds parliamentary exhibition on broken mental health hospitals
Artwork, photography and poetry depicting the brutal realities of being sectioned under the Mental Health Act have been on display this week in parliament.
Submitted by campaigners for the mental health charity Mind, the powerful content depicts the devastating impact of unsafe and traumatic hospital admissions. Submissions to the exhibition, which concludes today, included:
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‘Silent Scream’, a visual representation of the struggle of being unheard in mental health hospitals
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An audio recording of one family’s experience trying to advocate for their father, who has been sectioned more than 15 times over the last 30 years
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Photography of a hospital bedroom, where one patient was restrained for hours on end: “If the walls and furniture could speak, they would shout their witness statements of this torment... I sit alone with knowledge of the abuse I endured.”
The exhibition is at the heart of parliament in the Upper Waiting Hall, a bustling walkway for MPs and staffers to pass through on their way to the Commons chamber. Sojan Joseph MP, a former mental health nurse and sponsor of the exhibition, opened the event with a call for a greater focus on compassionate and therapeutic care for people in mental health crisis.
The Mental Health Act 1983 is the law in England and Wales which sets out when you can be detained (or sectioned) and receive mental health treatment against your will. It was created more than forty years ago, and Mind believes desperately needs bringing into the twenty-first century.
The long-awaited Mental Health Bill was introduced in the new Labour government’s first King’s Speech last year, and although it includes positive changes, the charity is calling on MPs to vote for bolder amendments to strengthen people’s rights and choices while they’re at their most unwell. These include removing Community Treatment Orders for all patients, tackling the shocking racial disparities under the Act and giving young people the same guarantees as adults with their care.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “These moving works show important it is that we take a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver a new deal for people with the most serious mental health problems. People of all ages, genders and backgrounds submitted their incredibly moving content to showcase to parliamentarians. But one common theme that cuts across each of the pieces is the need to raise the standard of mental health hospitals and give people greater say over their care and treatment.
“MPs must now make sure the reforms go far enough and shape the legislation to make it truly bold and transformative. Mind is hugely grateful to each contributor for so bravely capturing and sharing their experiences.”
Afeefa Ali, Mind media volunteer and campaigner, said: “I remember thinking to myself, ‘what is the point in being sectioned and kept alive, when I have been left more unwell and more traumatised than before?’.
“Instead of being used to support and safeguard me, the Mental Health Act was used as an excuse for excessive restrictive practice and inadequate care. My voice was void once the section paperwork was signed. But I stand here today as a voice for all of those who are victims of injustice in the mental health system. I stand here with the hope that change will come. And we will continue to tell our stories until that change does come.”
Sojan Joseph MP said: “As someone who has worked in NHS mental health services for 22 years, I know how important the new Mental Health Bill will be. Updating out of date legislation and services will be crucial to the welfare of patients and staff alike, so I truly welcomed seeing it in the King’s Speech last year.
“Having the opportunity to sponsor and open Mind’s event was an honour. They are a fantastic charity who do brilliant work. Seeing the art on display and meeting people affected by the 1983 Act was incredibly special.”
