Taking control

Article Abstract:

A UK parliamentary health committee has voted against the introduction of community supervision orders (CSOs), in spite of concern by the public about recent acts of violence by schizophrenics. Such orders exist in New Zealand and Australia, requiring that patients detained because of grave mental health problems accept treatment whilst living in the community. The parliamentary committee, however, after collecting evidence, was dubious about the ethics of forcing demands on people who have a right to make decisions of their own. Alternatives could include visits by Community Psychiatric Nurses, who could help patients refusing medication to manage their voices, self-help groups, such as Voices, guardianship, the use of crisis cards, and intensive case working. Training and funding for these alternatives is needed.

Laws, regulations and rules, Schizophrenics

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Damning for all

Article Abstract:

Media coverage of recent cases in which nurses with mental health problems have become a danger to patients has served to reinforce a perceived link between mental illness and wickedness in ordinary people. It has been implied that there is a connection between attempted suicide and harming others, and that anyone who has experienced depression is a bad person. This is a very negative view which will not help mentally ill people at all. It must be recognised that many people have a mental health problem, and they should be made to feel that they can come forward and be helped.

Column

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Media madness

Article Abstract:

Media coverage of people with mental health problems is often very misleading and alarmist, implying that these people are potential murderers. It is often claimed that community care is placing the general public in great danger, and that all mentally ill people should be placed in secure accommodation. Special hospitals are exploited by newspaper editors and used as an excuse to feature violent horror stories.

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