Many mental health wards in the UK are at best counter-therapeutic and at worst unsafe, says an Editorial in this week's edition of The Lancet.
Both the Editorial and this week's Special Report focus on the state of mental health services in the UK, to coincide with the passing of the controversial Mental Health Bill in the House of Commons on July 4. The Editorial says: "Although there have certainly been some positive developments -- for example, the Bill now protects children from being put on adult wards -- some critics are concerned that the legislation will infringe the rights of people with mental illness."
The Editorial also raises concerns over a UK Department of Health survey which found that fewer of the general public in England favour a more tolerant attitude to people with mental illness than in 1994. It concludes: "Ultimately, turning the tide of stigma and neglect that faces many people with mental-ill health in the UK will require a substantial shift in public and ministerial attitudes."
For the full article, please go to the following link: http://www.thelancet.com/webfiles/images/clusters/thelancet/press_office/mentalH.pdf
The Lancet