Letter: Agencies must co-operate to protect the mentally ill
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ONE OF the main issues regarding community care is only touched on in your very informative article 'Care in the Community' (Inside Story, 10 January). That is, trying to get two departments, health and social services (to say nothing of housing), with fundamentally different philosophies about the mentally ill, to work together to provide services for people with severe mental illness. What works well for the frail elderly, for example, may not be appropriate for someone with schizophrenia.
Virginia Bottomley, the Health Secretary, suggested changes in the law to stop people 'falling through the net'. What is needed is a finer mesh net, and this will only come with adequate resources providing more and better services, and, above all, an understanding that people need specialised help and treatment along with social support. It must also be accepted that people can and should live in the community even though they are not 'cured'.
Jacqueline M Atkinson
University of Glasgow
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments