Welfare Reform on the Web (April 2002): Mental Health Services - UK
CHARITIES USE DELAY IN DRAFTING BILL TO SCRUTINISE WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS
K. Leason
Community Care, Jan. 17th - 23rd 2002, p. 18-19
Proposals put forward in the Reforming the Mental Health Act white paper in 2000 have since been put on the back burner. Little progress has been made publicly towards drafting a bill. Article summarises the views of a number of mental health organisations on the white paper proposals.
POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS
M. Duggan
Community Care, Feb. 14th-20th 2002, p 38-39
Discusses the role of social work and the social perspective in delivery of mental health services through the new care trusts. As these are NHS bodies, there is concern that they will be dominated by the medical model of service delivery.
A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE SYSTEM
D. Purves and M. McIntosh
Mental Health Today, Feb. 2002, p. 25-27
Research examined the personal experiences of six caregivers who were the primary supporters of a son and daughter with a mental health problem. Carers described personal feelings of grief and loss, their role as advocates, and their sense of exclusion by professionals from any role in the treatment process.
A SUITABLE SPACE: IMPROVING COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR ASIAN PEOPLE
G. Netto et al
Bristol: Policy Press, 200
Findings suggest that mainstream agencies need to work harder to address the low uptake of counselling services by black people. Barriers include low awareness of the existence of counselling services and low referral rates from GPs. There is a worrying failure of mainstream agencies to carry out outreach work in black communities and with potential referrers. Agencies also need to increase the cultural sensitivity of existing counsellors and to train more counsellors from diverse communities, providing financial support where needed. Black clients also need to be consulted about their preferences.
TOP OF THE POLICY QUEUE?
L. Revans
Community Care, Jan. 17th - 23rd 2002, p. 28-30
Discuss progress in the implementation of the new strategy for services for people with learning disabilities outlined in the "Valuing People" white paper. There is concern that the white paper proposals have not been backed up by legislation or extra resources. However, a Director of Implementation has been appointed, and guidance on person centred planning and partnership working has been issued.
UNITED WE STAND
L. Warner
Mental Health Today, Feb. 2002, p. 12-13
The Mental Health Alliance is made up of over 50 user and professional organisations, which have joined forces to campaign together around the proposed new UK mental health legislation. The Alliance is particularly opposed to proposals regarding compulsory treatment in the community.