Treatments offered to the mentally ill by health, L.A. and other service providers are a hidden national disgrace. For generations changes have been requested, but these ill people have never been listened to.
They are even being deprived of their human rights as defined by the W.H.O., and this charge has been placed before the Regional Director.
A startling new service user report, 'ON DEAF EARS?' flays the entire range of services provided to the mentally ill. They are fundamentally flawed, and a new national debate is called for. The report offers a radical new approach, to frame such a debate.
As usual, health and other professionals have ignored and shelved what service users and their carers want. But this time they are going to hear and take heed.
The report has been ASKED for by over 50 of the most important organisations in the entire mental health field, and interest is still growing. The Minister for Health, Malcolm Chisholm, has answered an invitation to read this report in a disdainful and shameful manner which will be exposed in due course.
Around 28th September I will be marching from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, and on to Westminster, to demand that this report is taken seriously by those who are paid and supposed to listen to us and serve us. There will be awareness-raising activities on the way. I will demand that this report be seriously considered. Some brothers and sisters in Aberdeen will give me a send-off, I will be escorted in Dundee, and some kind of demonstration is planned for Edinburgh.
If anyone would like to see a 4 page synopsis of the report or any of the other documentation, please contact Dixie, zenminky@clara.co.uk, or Tel:01309-674-582. Full copies of the report are also available.
Any offers of support during the march would be extremely gratefully received.
Route is Aberdeen-Dundee-Edinburgh-South over the border. A few solidarity marchers when passing through town, or help with local media communications, A shower and a bed en route would be especially welcome. Or pass the information on to anyone you know in mental health who might be interested.
John Sangster, N.E. Scotland Region, Duncan Rowan of Aberdeen Branch, and Steve Arnott, Highlands/Islands Region are informed and giving me grand support.
Hope to hear from some of you.
dixie