Well they do for some.
Nick Clegg rightly identified the issue of Mental Ill Health in our society. 1 in 4 people will suffer mental illness during their lifetime. 1 in 6 of us is ‘Mentally ill’ now….
Nick talks about Britain being a “Prozac Nation” and by this he means the ease at which medication becomes the sole solution.
Lets be clear. For many people the ‘drugs do work’ and they wouldn’t be able to cope with their lives without them. I have been there.
But there are alternative, or rather supplementary, therapies. “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy” has an important part to play for some sufferers of Depressive illnesses. But 93% of GPs prescribe anti-depresents, mainly due to a lack of resources or facilities.
Mental Health care is not glamourous. I pay tribute for the work of nurses, doctors and other key workers but there isn’t enough emphasive on on being “people oriented” ….and there isn’t the money (Weavers Croft?)
The Liberal Democrats would introduce “A Mental Health Guarantee” Maximmium waiting times would be introduced and if the NHS didn’t deliver the option of ‘going private’ would be there. Local PCTs would be made democratic and real power for change in the NHS would be devolved from Whitehall to local commisioners.
Sounds good? Well for a start maybe.