Stephen Fry has been talking openly about mental health for some years now – this is a very good thing.
The Spectator this week has published an article from Professor Richard Bentall – one of Stephen’s school contemporaries“What I wish Stephen Fry understood about mental health”,
trying to put a more contextual view of mental health and treatment.
The piece is in the form of a letter, supportive and respectful, but also giving emphasis to considering circumstances which can affect mental health or exacerbate symptoms.
Mental health problems aren’t all in the brain
Clare Allan has been saying something similar in The Guardian with her article “Mental health problems aren’t all in the brain” commenting on the BBC’s Mind series of programmes and expressing concern about the apparent lack of discussion about the impact of the social context and individual’s stories and histories on mental health issues. Clare continues that “In failing to represent their (individual’s) perspective, the BBC has not only presented an extremely one-sided picture, it has broadcast a message to such individuals, and to society generally, that their experience doesn’t matter.”
What do you think about this argument? How important do you think an individual’s circumstances are to their mental well being?
BME access to mental health services
A report from a discussion by the Lords about BME access to mental health treatment. Comments made included a point about the need to look carefully at the most appropriate treatment for an individual and not a broad brush approach.
Find a more detailed report by clicking on the title link above.