Reinstate Mental Health Services in full

Mental health services have been hugely curtailed at a time when patients are in even greater need of help. A two tier system has been created with large chunks of resources being diverted to service psychologist helplines and psychologist video consultations for staff where desperately ill patients have been left with access to a duty cpn and cpn out of hours service. Help should be available for all those in need not just healthcare staff. Of course we value what they are doing however access to psychologists needs to be equitably available to all based on clinical need. 3rd sector organisations are available for mild illness as are helplines. Reinstate access to mental health services based on clinical need only, across all people.

Why the contribution is important

Our health service has not been overwhelmed at any point. Access to expert psychology should be available to all based on assessed clinical need whether healthcare staff or members of the public. The needs of the mentally ill, as one of the most marginalised sectors of society have been sacrificed once more and there is huge suffering, risk and suicide as a result.

by roobie on May 11, 2020 at 02:00PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 9 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Feriface May 11, 2020 at 14:45

    This can be done in a safe way as well. Perhaps online consultations. But many people really need help at this point.
  • Posted by KimCheeko May 11, 2020 at 15:45

    The lockdown is having massive impacts on people's mental health and people in need of urgent care cannot get it. This matter needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. Too much focus is being put on COVID19 to the severe detriment of other health services.
  • Posted by Christina May 11, 2020 at 16:30

    This is the topic that makes me so angry. The mental health system was broken long before this (which I often have told the people offering no help) and now we need it stronger and better than ever. Right now it's not only people like myself who have suffered for years with their mental health needing help, because of the current situation there has been a massive increase in the rest of the population as well. That's the one positive thing I take with me though, that finally more people will hopefully understand exactly how dangerous isolation can be to a person. It nearly killed me last year.
  • Posted by roobie May 11, 2020 at 16:49

    I really empathise, I'm walking a daily tightrope and am absolutely terrified. The help is not there and it seems our deaths do not matter.
  • Posted by LauraMac May 11, 2020 at 21:04

    Both Scottish and Westminster governments seem to have completely ignored the mental health consequences and side effects of lockdown. People have been cut off from treatment and support networks, and people experiencing mental health problems for the first time have nowhere to turn. Mental health problems also cause premature deaths, but the attitude of the government seems to be that this doesn't matter., and I worry that the mental health consequences will have a far greater impact than the virus. It's frightening, and I too feel on a knife edge.
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