Benefit Street, Brighton.

Now that I’ve had intimate, lived experience of how the NHS in England functions within the parameters of Mental Health policy, I feel it’s important to speak out. It is now more important than ever that people – whether involved with community projects or not – understand exactly how the current system is failing Britain. In yesterday’s blog I gave suggestions as to how one could supplement the NHS Mental Health programme. To-day I’m illustrating some of the stories of NHS patients, and public perceptions. 1.    Attitudes to Mental Health. I’m sure we are all in agreement that public the perception of Mental Health issues has changed due to more education and exposure to the role mental health plays in the overall health of Britain? My frequent ‘Victorian’ jibe in relation to mental health care could, possibly, be therefore dismissed as hyperbole. But the reality is that  most marginalized people – of all ages – who are currently experiencing the worst aspects of the failu

Two years ago I had a nervous breakdown. Just before I did so I had been part of a new Council initiative. My brief concerned Mental Health in the U25 group. At the end of last year I came across what I had written and scrubbed the whole thing. I, too, have come to accept I shall never recover; so a couple of months ago I wrote this. I’ve divided it in two and am posting the conclusions & possible solutions first. Because it’s positive. It might even open a dialogue?                                                                                                                             When I began to look into Mental Health in the 18 - 25 age group it was almost immediately  apparent that there is a huge black hole. Students; middle class people living with parents; and the reasonably well-educated; are socially placed to access and receive help from a number of organizations, including: 5 th Sector programmes; local Council initiatives; University support groups;