| BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Demonstration against the Government’s draft Mental Health Bill Thursday 27th November 2003, 12.00 – 2.00pm Outside
Department of Health offices A call for respect, dignity and choice within the psychiatric system
This bill panders to inaccurate stereotypes – by aligning ‘mental disorder’ with ‘dangerous behaviour’. The government intends to use this bill to pre-emptively lock away some people BEHIND CLOSED DOORS who've been `assessed' as being dangerous, even though they've never committed a crime. There is no adequate risk assessment for dangerousness and dangerousness is not a symptom of mental illness. This is a social control bill, not a mental health bill Many who've experienced contact with the psychiatric system soon discover numerous LOCKED DOORS that prevent access to a wider choice of respectful, non-compulsive support. These proposed changes will do nothing to improve this situation. The drafting of the government's mental health legislation has largely been carried out BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, with the opinions of people who are subject to the psychiatric system either ignored or given the very scantest of attention. Ignoring this huge base of knowledge and wisdom will not help to improve the mental health services, nor create legislation that promotes greater respect, freedom and choice. We enthusiastically welcome any fellow users, survivors or refusers to join our protest, along with anyone else who supports our campaign. Map to Richmond House at: www.doh.gov.uk/about/richmondmap.htm Nearest tube: Westminster (Jubilee, District, Circle lines) For more information, or to let us know you're coming along, please contact: Symon Price
07792064974, Email:
bcdcampaign@hotmail.com |