Tony Blair says we need a national conversation about MH as its costing too much

[B0xes]

Tony Blair said recently on Jimmy's Jobs of the Future Podcast (clip available on youtube) that we need to have a national conversation about mental health. Why are we spending so much on it. Why are people self diagnosing. He believes people are being encouraged to view everyday challenges we all face as mental health issues.

Is he being unreasonable? In one sense, I'm inclined to agree to an extent, in the other, I believe he led the charge for so many of the social changes that have made us less resilient and many of these issues are due to individualism which led to atomisation and loneliness and being encouraged to see the market as the entity that fulfills our needs rather than strong families and robust social networks.

YABU - Blair can do one.

YANBU - He might have a point

They need both as they do different things.

Don’t be daft - are you not aware of the tremendous demand on services?

A&E is for physically seriously unwell people, and yes I have experience of that unfortunately - so unless someone has taken an overdose and need their stomach pumping or similar then that’s my opinion.

Thank you for a balanced and insightful post @cadburyegg. I have CFS which is physical rather than mental and I feel the same. Often work is helpful, and this is backed up by studies. Sometimes I can get too ambitious about going in and they have to reign me in LOL

Therapy and support is what I spend my PIP on, though, so how would it help to be provided centrally? (And yes, I do work - PIP is not an out of work benefit - but if I didn’t get the support I couldn’t work. Taxpayer is getting more back from me than I receive in PIP anyway)

What are you on about? People saying they are struggling with their MH are not putting demand on services. If you go to your GP saying you’re struggling with your MH you will not be referred to CMHT or the higher tiers. Most people don’t broadcast it to the office when low either. 🙄

But he isn't (or doesn't seem to be) saying that mental health issues or autistic spectrum disorders don't exist. And it actually makes it harder for those people who have bona fide diagnosed conditions if the world and his dog is blaming their self-diagnosed anxiety for taking days off work willy-nilly or booking appointments with their GP because (as a PP said) they're a bit nervous about their new job. That doesn't help anyone, least of those who really do need to access mental health support services.

The issue of diagnosis or lack of is the problem. Too many self diagnose. Those with ADHA or Autism need the diagnosis but those that are just a bit disorganised and a bit unsociable haven't got anything to be diagnosed with.

Well fortunately the NHS does not agree with you. It is for mentally unwell people too and they will be directed there by NHS professionals when necessary as we have been countless times with my dd.

Because a lot of people aren't getting help and aren't working.

So why do 111 and crisis team direct me to A&E if it just for physical reasons?
The crisis team are based there at night.
Where else should I be sent?

Why don't we look at the causes of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

How much is a result of lack of housing and the resulting feeling of insecurity.
The lack of health provision for all issues despite the NHS spending more year on year.
Job insecurity, especially in perceived lower skill jobs.

Lets then look at Bliars role in these above issues.
His family have a rental property portfolio of £millions. He was a major proponent of encouraging buy to let, especially among his well heeled pals. Instead of investing in house building for the Nation

Although first conceived by John Major, Good old Bliar took the reigns and ran with PFI building of schools and hospitals, and landed education and the NHS with massive repayment bills as well as paying over the odds for maintainence works to the PFI company.

Job security became a major issue with the open borders that brought Eastern European workers from low wage countries that took on the jobs at a rate well below what UK workers would accept. This in turn did create the desire for Brexit. Who was the biggest supporter of this open borders, along with his wife earning millions making cases for non genuine migrants in court! Yup you guessed it, good old 'Call me Tony'.

The man is a parasite and can get in the sea.

The fact they’re not getting help isn’t their problem. PIP and the right treatment/ support are both needed.

We are in AIBU where people come and debate points of view. You have been debating back and forth but have then decided to turn a bit nasty and pick of use of vocabulary (what difference did it really make if I said brackets instead of quotation marks?) And have also now finished a post with an eye roll while trying to shut me down. No wonder people struggle when there are people being so nasty all the time. Why can't you just have a reasonable and open debate without turning to unkindness. I won't reply again as I am not interested in debating with unkindness

Yes, he's partly right. There is a massive and growing issue with MH in people of all ages.

I think a lot of it has been caused by the internet and, as that won't be disappearing anytime soon, nor will the problems. Soon there will be more people with MH problems than without.

The implications are really frightening for everyone, and for the country's prospects.

I don’t understand why you are rubbishing my views - you said you didn’t know anyone who was complaining about their MH, and yet you say you know that they won’t be referred for help?

You just appear to be argumentative, and I can’t be bothered to comment further.

Ok so don’t. 🤷‍♀️

But I guess my point is - how do you know if someone is "self-diagnosing" or not unless you get them into a GP for a proper assessment and potential treatment?

I was fobbed off with medication for years, it was only recently that a GP took the time to look over my history and realise that there was something more going on that meant I needed more intense support and care, and gave me a referral for an official diagnosis.

I agree that there are people who take the piss and just can't be bothered, but there are so many genuine cases who slip through the cracks because NHS care is so disjointed and underfunded.

I actually agree with this regarding getting less support now than before and it is horrific. Sorry if I confused things, I just meant that there was evidence (from the US not here) that showed the introduction of valium reduced the volume of people in asylums greatly.

The societal safety net has gone. Things are shit, people are forced into poverty, and the housing crisis has trapped people with abusive partners or in mouldy, overpriced slums.
Our children have been through the isolation of COVID prevention and lockdowns, Sure Start and Every Child Matters are things of the past. Child poverty has risen.
What the fuck did we expect?
We allowed robber capitalists in, we enthusiastically voted them in by a landslide.
If you don't have good, supportive parents, you are fucked as a young person. Those who aren't are the exception, not the rule.
The finger is being pointed at the wrong people.
Our family has paid thousands for mental health and other private treatment for one of our children. Thank goodness we were lucky enough to afford it. Because without that, our adult child was only going one way. There are lots of young adults suffering without financial recourse to sort it out.
The voting public need to look at themselves and the outcome of their decisions.

Exactly. If they want more sick and disabled people in work employers need to make genuine reasonable adjustments and accept that sometimes with the best will in the world they will have more sick days or need to work from home.

Just realised I thought but forgot to write Cost of living crisis. Not being able to afford the basics always leaves people miserable (and in the past has led to riots/revolution etc).

The world generally feels like an unpleasant and difficult place to live in at the moment.

I agree with your additional points. Plus there are issues with schooling re the pressure young people are under now. It’s way more pressured than when I was at school. Not great for either the capable or the less capable in terms of mental health and doesn’t seem to be creating better outcomes for the country in terms of economic growth.

The finger is being pointed at the wrong people.

It's always the way. Blame the vulnerable.

The issue is that every thread I read on this is people saying they are ND, have MH issues, have ADHD and bringing in large parts of their family too into what is often self diagnosis.

Quite honestly we will bankrupt the country.

Tony Blair is right and good on him for saying what plenty agree with. Just look at the voting on this thread…

@icelolly12 - really? Are you actually 12 years old, putting laughing emoji reactions on people's serious posts?