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Leading UK charity fordepression objects to immoral and unworkable Draft Mental Health Bill.

 

The leading UK charity for depression, DepressionAlliance, today officially lodged its disapproval of the Draft Mental HealthBill. The charity also criticised the way in which the Government has conductedits consultation exercise.

 

DepressionAlliance takes the view that failings in current arrangements for mental healthare due to a lack of resources rather than a lack of legislation. The charityfears that the new legislation will lead to an increase in the number of peoplebeing subject to detention and compulsory treatment, and ultimately to a hugereduction in people seeking help from their GP.

 

Jim Thomson, Director of Depression Alliancesays:

The proposed legislation makes disturbing reading. It isclear that this Bill does not concern itself with the health of the 1 in 5 ofus who will be affected by depression at some point during our lives.

 

It isbelieved that this change in legislation is an attempt by this Government tomanage the very small number of people who may be a danger to themselves orothers (300 600). However, there are currently around 2.9 million peopleaffected by depression who may not seek help if this Bill is passed. Depression Alliance accepts that more needsto be done about the 300 600 but finds staggering the Governments generalignorance when it comes to mental health. The Draft Bill contravenes EuropeanHuman Rights Law, is highly stigmatising and is likely to lead to a safetyfirst culture in which people are detained due to a perception of risk ratherthan any actual threat to themselves and/or others. Members of the psychiatryprofession have pointed out that we currently lack the expertise and objectivetests to accurately measure risk.

 

TheDirector of Depression Alliance notes that,

 

One would have abetter prediction rate if one simply flipped a coin. Its undemocratic. Its unfair. It wont work. If this billis passed then people will not seek treatment, suicide rates will soar and thealready over burdened mental health system will collapse as Psychiatrists andother medical professionals walk away from a system that has turned them intogaolers.[1]

 

Thecharity also believes that without extensive extra resources, the Draft Billwill fail in its objective of preventing people with mental illnessescommitting homicide and suicide; and will make ordinary mental health careunworkable in practice.

 

Almostwithout precedent this Draft Bill unites the Public and Voluntary Sector,health care professionals and the legal profession, against the Government whoconducted the consultation process at a time when many people are away onholiday and when Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales are in recess.

 

DepressionAlliance today launches a new hotline in response tothe Bill. Callers to the line will receive a special Depression Alliancecampaign pack and will be able to leave their response to the proposedlegislation. The line 0870 240 2822 (calls charged at national rate) is open 24hours a day.

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

  1. Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. We work to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information, support and understanding to those who are affected by it. We also campaign to raise awareness amongst the general public about the realities of depression.
  2. The Depression Alliance response to the Draft Mental Health Bill 2002 can be obtained from the Depression Alliance website (www.depressionalliance.org) or through contacting the Press Office.

 

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