Too many people with mental health
problems get better in spite of mental health hospitals rather than because
of them, according to a new book by mental health experts at the University
of Birmingham.
“Mental Health Policy and Practice”, paints a picture of
a mental health system that still often fails to meet the needs of patients
and their carers.
The book’s co-author Dr Jon Glasby said:
“ Looking at the
history of mental health care in the UK, it is clear that problems facing
services have changed very little over the years. Lessons from the past
have not been learned, which has meant that the quality of care has not
improved as it should.
_ There is still a stigma attached
to mental health problems, which unfortunately affects patient care.
Negative public attitudes towards
people with mental health problems mean many patients are excluded from
making decisions about their own treatment.
_ The book does recognise the extra
injection of cash into services over the last few years, but given
the history of underinvestment in
mental health, we are starting from a very low base. It is also hard
not to avoid the conclusion that changing the structures of mental health
services will not be effective without a significant shift in public
attitudes.”
Dr Helen Lester and Dr Jon Glasby – a GP and a social worker -
provide a thorough and hard-hitting examination of the history, current
state and wider context of Britain’s mental health services. The
book looks at a range of key issues that have dominated thinking in mental
health over the decades.
The book also highlights a number of failings such as the support and
funding for community care. The system requires family members to play
an important role in caring for those with mental illness, but provides
very little extra funding to help them.
Dr Helen Lester said:
“ Although there are significant failings
in the system, it isn’t a wholly negative picture. We also highlight
a number of examples of excellent practice, and initiatives to involve
patients in a meaningful way in their care. In recent years the government
has also given mental health services a higher priority in terms of policy
focus and funding. However, there is still a significant gap between
government rhetoric and reality. The plan to provide 1000 Primary Care
Mental Workers by 2004 is a good example of this problem. Despite a written
commitment, two years after that deadline there are still only 600 people
in this role. This kind of shortfall can only be solved with greater
commitment at all levels of the NHS to mental health and continued investment.”
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