In the same week that debate over the Home Secretary’s remarks on the ‘grooming gangs scandal’ filled social media and the news another abuse scandal of equal depravity was only mentioned in a couple of mainstream papers. Just like the systematic abuse of vulnerable girls by gangs of men across England, this other scandal involves ‘the wrong type of victim’ and a coverup over decades. Most people would not even be aware that there is an ongoing public inquiry into approximately 2000 deaths over 20 years that occurred in Essex NHS mental health units. That’s approximately 2 deaths a week of vulnerable mentally ill patients in one single county partnership of NHS trusts for 20 years.
You're spot on, Romy, attitudes have not moved on from victorian times. In fact it's worse, because people pretend to care about mental health without any real understanding of what it's like to struggle with real problems, and I don't mean the normal ups and downs of life.
It's horrific and heartbreaking in equal measure to imagine what people endure at the hands of bullies who should be caring for and nurturing their patients. And yet they are deified....similar issues in senior care, I believe but less widespread than it used to be as a result of many a public outcry.
I think the issue is we aren't seen as human, or contributing anything to society. Which is of course utterly wrong. Until that mindset changes, the treatment of people with mental illness or disabilities won't change.
Thanks so much Puds! I couldn’t agree more with everything you say. We need a societal wide attitude change as well as total reform of what is supposed to be the ‘caring profession!’
Getting there, I've finally started EMDR therapy (got a cancellation, miracles do happen) with a lovely therapist and it's definitely the right therapy for me. Hoping to put some crud behind me and reclaim my life I know that sounds pompous but that's basically the goal after 5 years of "what on earth is coming next?". I was briefly on twitter the other day, I'm sorry you're struggling health wise. Your light is much needed in this world lovely x
Great news about the therapy! I start a form of group therapy in June for the emotional regulation side of my mental illness. Only taken over a year to get to the top of the waiting list 🤦🏻♀️ The last months have felt way too much to cope with. The dental pain almost pushed me over the edge because it just felt like the proverbial straw breaking the camel’s back. Having a tooth extracted (in just over an hour!) which I’m praying will sort the problem.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support. It really does mean an awful lot 💕x
You're spot on, Romy, attitudes have not moved on from victorian times. In fact it's worse, because people pretend to care about mental health without any real understanding of what it's like to struggle with real problems, and I don't mean the normal ups and downs of life.
It's horrific and heartbreaking in equal measure to imagine what people endure at the hands of bullies who should be caring for and nurturing their patients. And yet they are deified....similar issues in senior care, I believe but less widespread than it used to be as a result of many a public outcry.
I think the issue is we aren't seen as human, or contributing anything to society. Which is of course utterly wrong. Until that mindset changes, the treatment of people with mental illness or disabilities won't change.
Thanks so much Puds! I couldn’t agree more with everything you say. We need a societal wide attitude change as well as total reform of what is supposed to be the ‘caring profession!’
Hope you’re well xx
Getting there, I've finally started EMDR therapy (got a cancellation, miracles do happen) with a lovely therapist and it's definitely the right therapy for me. Hoping to put some crud behind me and reclaim my life I know that sounds pompous but that's basically the goal after 5 years of "what on earth is coming next?". I was briefly on twitter the other day, I'm sorry you're struggling health wise. Your light is much needed in this world lovely x
Great news about the therapy! I start a form of group therapy in June for the emotional regulation side of my mental illness. Only taken over a year to get to the top of the waiting list 🤦🏻♀️ The last months have felt way too much to cope with. The dental pain almost pushed me over the edge because it just felt like the proverbial straw breaking the camel’s back. Having a tooth extracted (in just over an hour!) which I’m praying will sort the problem.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support. It really does mean an awful lot 💕x
You're welcome. Hope the tooth extraction goes OK. 🙏xx