to think that mental illness does not have a loud enough 'voice'?

[Foxyspook]

I don't want to turn this into a denigration of any other illness societies but...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/03/10-steps-to-mental-health-equality?CMP=share_btn_fb


Cancer has always had a very robust charitable network, research money, and lobbying power.

Alzheimers (since the time my mother got diagnosed 10 years' ago) has come on in leaps and bounds. Still has a small research budget compared to cancer but I expect this will improve. And Alzheimers Society is a constant protester on the news - which is great

But, I have suffered from very severe and enduring mental illness since the age of 9. I am now 50 in a couple of weeks. I would not say the drugs have improved much in that time - those with psychosis suffer horrible side effects from the drugs to suppress symptoms and stabilise mood.

The care in the community is being cut back to the bare bones and in patient care is of poor quality and only for emergencies (and even then in the time I have been ill - the definition of emergency has changed considerably).

Unless we are lucky - usually with our family backgrounds or with some remission times at crucial points of our development, we operate at the margins of society.

I understand why I don't protest - because my health is extremely inconsistent and I am sure it is the same for most others with schizophrenia or bipolar or any of the more incapacitating and incurable mental illnesses, but surely the charities - eg. Mind could get our position heard at a higher volume?

[NightNightBadger19962]

An older relative of mine, in his 80s, after years of swapping stories of arthritis/heart problems/joint pain with his peers, started to mention his BiPolar disorder and medication - he and his wife were then amazed by how many people then spoke about their own mental health issues and medication. It was very de-stigmatising for them, having hidden it for so long.

[NightTerrier]

Unfortunately, it seems to depend on where you live. My GP an CHMT are brilliant and I can't fault the support I've had.

However, I get the impression that illnesses like bipolar and schizophrenia get priority and it's always easy to get a referral. Although, they are really good with anxiety, depression and OCD round here. Local people moan about it, but it's so much better than where I used to live. All I'd get was a GP appointment, a lecture about lifestyle and a course of SSRIs.

It's scary that they're cutting funding and services all over the country.