We are now in the run up to our annual Time To Talk Day, which will be on 6 February. I first posted a version of this piece four years ago, and have shared updates each year since then. This is last year’s update, in which I added several thoughts on the future of mental health care in this country. A further year on, and I am no less pessimistic. As we approach Brexit Day I fear that our government will at long last begin to understand the reality of what this means for the country: not least in the predators from the US waiting to pounce on the NHS, but also in the pressures Brexit will undoubtedly bring on government finances. It will also, I am certain, devote much attention away from the provision of healthcare services. I have no confidence in this government’s supposed commitment to improving mental health care, nor in their ability to do it. How could I, when the Secretary of State for Health seems to have made it his mission to display his ignorance and stupidity? Then again, that is par for the course: he isn’t the only similarly challenged Secretary of State.
All that I have said in previous years remains valid, which is why I have continued to share these posts with updates, rather than write something new. There will be a new piece next week for Time To Talk Day – this is the trailer for that, in effect. As I’ve said before, I hope you read my previous post again even if you’ve seen it before: this is a serious issue and the more it can be drawn to our collective attention the better.
Three years ago today I wrote a piece called Time To Worry, in which I shared some horrific results from recent studies into our mental health. I reblogged the piece last year with a commentary, and as we are again approaching Time To Talk Day (7 February this year) I thought it right to share the post again, both for newer readers to see for the first time and also with an update for those who may have seen this before. Even if you have already read the original post I encourage you to read this update: our mental health is vitally important to us and we all need to be aware of this, and of how we can help ourselves and others. As is my usual practice I will give you the original words and then return to round things up after. This is the initial post:
A few…
View original post 1,469 more words
Take It Easy 
Mental health care, social health care, maternity care etc etc… they all need a massive injection of cash, of which there is not enough. The hospital where I work has just been downgraded from outstanding to needing improvement, as mothers and babies are ‘not safe’ in the Maternity Department. The NHS is top heavy with managers, and nobody seems to be replacing some of these with nurses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Governments continually promise more cash for the NHS but it won’t be much help if they frighten potential staff away with their immigration policies – money can’t pay for what isn’t there. Is that the Trust that tried to identify a whistleblower by trying to fingerprint documents? If so, management aren’t doing the clinicians any favours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the one, yes. Some staff refused to give fingerprints, as after all they’re not criminals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite right too! Atrocious way to treat staff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Chief Exec. looked decidedly uncomfortable being interviewed on ‘Look East’ last night. They asked him whose idea it was to fingerprint staff. He tried to dodge the issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He should resign, not fit for the role.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They asked him on TV last night whether he would resign. Surprise surprise he said no.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If he was CEO at the time it happened, I think the Chairman and Non-Execs might have something to say about that! If not, they should!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had never read this before as I recently started following you, Clive. Unfortunately, the reality is that it takes far too long to see real action. Another tragedy will follow and some in the government will get worked up again about making changes in gun laws and paying more attention to mental health. It’s happened so many times already that I’ve lost count.
I share your passion for this issue. I know it’s frustrating, but society moves at a snail’s pace, especially when it comes to changing ill-informed opinions and the attached stigma. I applaud you and for others who continue to try and educate the government and the general public.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pete. I’ve lost count of the number of times the government has promised to improve healthcare – particularly mental health – but I think they’re just paying lip service to it. At least here in the UK we don’t have crazy gun laws to worry about too!
LikeLike
Sad state of affairs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, and no obvious signs of any potential future improvement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There will be a blimp in the aftermath of Brexit, Clive, but things will normalise again. Britain has always been a strong country and it always will be. Your government is marvelous compared to ours. I wish every day I lived in the UK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so hope you’re right, Robbie, but I really do fear for the country’s future. We are nowhere near as strong as our esteemed leaders would have us believe, as we’re about to discover in the various negotiations. It could all get very messy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it will be messy for a while, but I believe it will come right quicker than you think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I’m a natural pessimist but if I were a betting man I’d happily wager that we won’t fully recover in my lifetime. Those supporting Brexit have still not proved even one tangible benefit that will come from it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the government’s committed to saying it’s committed to mental health, and it’s equally committed to doing nothing–except maybe privatizing a thing or two and cutting a budget or three while saying they’re pouring money in. It makes me want to throw things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Throwing things? As in Secretaries of State off cliffs?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t mind, now that you mention it. But the list of candidates is so long it’s overwhelming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many candidates, so few cliffs…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for continuing to share this valuable information. Mental health is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly is! It needs all the help it can get.
LikeLike
Mental Health is such a major issue today. I totally salute your efforts on bringing this up and making people aware. This is of paramount importance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Completely agree. Mine is a small voice but we all need to be raising awareness.
LikeLike