Category Archives: Politics and current affairs

Isolation, anxiety and ableism

Posted on March 19, 2020 by purplepersuasion

So although the UK isn’t technically on lockdown the way a number of other European countries are, most people are beginning to find out what it’s like to spend a lot of time at home. The over-70s and people with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Bipolar, CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mental health, NHS services, Politics and current affairs, Self-management, Social media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Isolation, anxiety and ableism

Bed/crisis

Posted on May 4, 2017 by purplepersuasion

In past times when I have been very ill a bed has been found at my local unit – and quickly. I think one was sourced within the day the first time around, and the following day at the start of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Bipolar, Crisis care, Depression, Hospital, Hypomania, Inpatient care, Mental health, Mental health services, Mixed mood, Mood disorder, NHS services, Politics and current affairs, Psychiatry, Rapid cycling, Suicidal thought, Suicide, Treatment planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bed/crisis

Why “crazy” is lazy

Posted on February 15, 2017 by purplepersuasion

Paul Nuttall is a crazy, myth making liar. Donald Trump has a troubled mental status, and we should feel free to used the terms “nut case” and “mentally ill”. Indeed, he probably has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The climax of Piers Morgan’s mental … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Hospital, Politics and current affairs, Psychiatry, Social media, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Why “crazy” is lazy

Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

Posted on October 31, 2016 by purplepersuasion

So I filled in an ESA50 last week and was reminded afresh what a terrible form it is. Yes, we all know it’s terrible, a terrible form for a terrible benefit in a terrible system. It’s not designed to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Mood disorder, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

Why don’t people with mental health problems just get a job?

Posted on December 9, 2015 by purplepersuasion

Last week I went to the House of Lords, something I found quite intimidating. Thankfully I was supported by a member of Rethink campaigns team in giving oral evidence to a Parliamentary Review. Chaired by Lord Low of Dalston, the Review was … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

999: Is your emergency deserving enough?

Posted on January 1, 2015 by purplepersuasion

[Content note: A&E for mental health crisis, poor care experiences, suicidal thoughts, self-harm] The strain felt by A&E departments as we move into winter has been much in the news. Today the Guardian pronounces the whole A&E system to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Crisis care, Mental health, Mental health services, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The long and winding road

Posted on November 13, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Back in the spring a number of people started to suggest I might benefit from referral to a tertiary service. It would be wrong to assume that everyone knows what that means, so for those who need it, scroll down … Continue reading →

Posted in Family issues, Mental health, NHS services, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

An impossible ask

Posted on October 21, 2014 by purplepersuasion

I’m going to start with a massive TRIGGER WARNING. This post contains numerous references to suicidal thoughts and descriptions of methods, as well as intrusive thoughts of self-harm. Please don’t read on if this could be damaging to you. After … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Now the party’s over: what is World Mental Health Day for, anyway?

Posted on October 11, 2014 by purplepersuasion

For the mental health community, it’s The Morning After. Those involved in the community have spent the past month pushing the mental health message. It’s been taken to political party conferences. It’s appeared on talk show sofas. 7th October marked … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

A more accepting age? Why stigma is nowhere near a thing of the past

Posted on August 26, 2014 by purplepersuasion

STIGMA fig. A mark of disgrace or infamy; a sign of severe censure or condemnation, regarded as impressed on a person or thing; a ‘brand’. Example: 1882   J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 172   Branded with the stigma … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments