Better Fairer 2019 for Mental Health

Now 2019 is here and the celebrations are over, what have we got to look forward too?

I am going to be very positive here and think it is going to be a great year after all there is a lot on the horizon for a positive 2019 when it comes to mental health nationally and locally and belief this year is the year, we see real change for the better, this is for everyone no matter how minor or serious a mental health for you, your loved ones or individual you are supporting change is on the horizon and we should all be excited by this!!

What can we look forward to you may well ask?

First, we have the long awaited and overdue review of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wessely who is president of the Royal Society of Medicine, advises the military on soldiers’ well-being, has spent much of his career studying baffling conditions like ME. When I state long overdue this is not a slur on the fantastic work done to bring this review about by all involved, but the act is outdated and needs urgent and overdue change to provide respect to anyone that falls into the more serious mental health problems.

The review provides a lot of talking points and in its principles provides the empowerment to service user that had needed changing if we are going to stop the abuse of power and help give back the dignity to those that use the services it recognises the need for anyone needing treatment under a section that police cars, cells etc, are not the appropriate place which are think we have all know for a long time and was something that urgently needed changing. You can find and read by clicking this link The independent review of the MH Act, it  provides the report along with an easy read version. I would recommend you read it and feedback any views, as feel this blog could not offer the needed platform to give justice to such an important debate. I would like to add just a personal view point on the area concerning the mental capacity act 2005. I was lucky to my mental health act training in Hull when this act came out through Hull City Council safeguarding team led by Paul Bartle at that time provided excellent training in this area, that I have not seen anywhere else. Elsewhere though I feel this act is still misunderstood and is often used in the wrong way by organisations to restrain individuals’ rights rather than empower them. This is a concern around supported housing both mental health and learning disabilities. Again, though my personal view I would say we need to bring these organisations into this century kicking and screaming if required.

The next parliament debate that should be of interest for those wanting to improve mental health in the work place. Where’s Your Head At? Is the campaign to improve mental health of the nation by ensuring employers looking after the mental health well-being of its employees in the same way it needs to support physical fitness. It will ensure if you are suffering from anxiety, stress or depression that you have someone to talk to who is trained and can signpost you to the right help you might need. This is a long over due change. I from first-hand experience of how poor organisations, having worked for two companies that supported me well in my own mental health, the last organisation (which is a mental health service provider) had poor support for mental health in the workplace, managers frowned on being open about mental health concerns you had. They employment service you can call but as most people in the work place would feel like me the first point of call would have been nice to be a person I knew and could relate to any issues or concerns I was having. Instead I was put on a stress management monitoring, even though I had stated that did not know how that would help as did not have stress, but soon realised this was about looking at disciplinary or capability then being supportive. This for me therefore is a very worthwhile campaign.

If you have not already done so, I would urge you to go to www.wheresyourheadat.org and sign the petition and also contact your MP to get them to support this debate.