DMH 08 Memorandum from Mrs A Edwards
Dear Sirs,
I have recently read that the draft for a new Mental
Health Bill, will seriously restrict the rights, choices and well
being of many people in the public domain. In that those of us
who have had, are suffering from, or will have in the future a
mental illness will lose our voice and freedom in society.
Some no longer trust the system, and this would create
a withdrawal from others and an inability to function, particularly
to those of us who suffer from, depression and/or schizophrenia.
We will become the 'hidden people'.. This is already happening
to some extent - particularly thinking of the Milton Keynes area,
where many are no longer able to, or permitted to attend 'drop-in'
clubs, in fact these are now called therapeutic day-centres.
I think the system has got worse. Milton Keynes
is expanding its numbers, not diminishing.
If we lose our ability to communicate with others
in this area, it does not mean that we do not exist.
Also, what has happened to the Advocacy service,
in Milton Keynes? Currently, there isn't one. When Mental Health
patients got into difficulty, at least there was a friendly, helpful
face, listening to our needs, this was run on a voluntary basis,
so there was no checking up of time-limits - and monetary concerns,
the 'patients' came first.
Yours faithfully
AEDMUSCODE
Mrs. A. Edwards.
-----Original Message-----
From: AEDMUSCODE@aol.com [mailto:AEDMUSCODE@aol.com]
Sent: 07 October 2004 21:00
To: Scrutiny
Cc: AEDMUSCODE@aol.com
Subject: MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
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