Help me out mumsnetters, I was having a discussion with a mental health professional friend and didn't feel like I could argue with them but the argument didn't sit quite right with me and I'd like to hear opinions from both sides. I was discussing the issues of benefits, they know I'm a strong supporter of the welfare system.
My friend was saying that they wished a system existed where those with serious mental health conditions could receive their benefits as vouchers for food, electricity, household utilities as they had experience where many of those with conditions such as bi-polar would spend all their money, including on prostitutes, alcohol, drugs and then have nothing to live off. They relied heavily on the staff who look after them pooling together and giving them food or putting money into their gas meters etc. The staff shouldn't strictly be doing this, but I could understand why they were in those circumstances, especially if the person had children.
I've never ever been convinced of vouchers for those of benefits, but in these situations I didn't feel like I had a good enough answer. I don't feel like we should tell anyone how to spend their own money and if you are entitled to it then that's a good enough reason for you to have this money IMO. However, my friend argued that if someone is seriously ill (ie, under the care of a medical mental health consultant, sectioned under the mental health act or similar) it could actually be adding to their illness if they have the responsibility of budgeting on top of their illness.
What do you think?