Mental health support

I am following, with interest, developments in mental health, as reported in Wokingham Today.

Much more practical help is certainly needed. Recently, I submitted a reference for one of our, former, Master’s Psychology students.

She had applied to a mental health charity, for the post of WELLBEING NAVIGATOR. How about that, for a fancy title!

I am always very happy to supply references for our former students – in order to help them get established in their careers, though, if they wish to work in mental health, I think that they might as well have followed tradition, studied medicine, and then, specialised.

Rather than assuming fancy titles, I prefer to stick with the practical. I tell people here, that, if as a result of psychoanalysis, or whatever treatment they are having, their life is better, then all is worthwhile. But if, at the end of it all, their life is no better, then there is no point in any of it.

Furthermore, I tell people that, often, the best thing that I can do for them, is to improve their circumstances, financially.

You will get a severely mentally ill person, with an exhausted, carer.

Since the mental patient can’t work, the carer has to work full-time, to get a sufficient income, look after the patient, and do all the shopping, cooking, cleaning, and housework, as well. No wonder he is exhausted.

Then you find that they haven’t been getting benefits. If I can get for the patient, Enhanced Personal Independence Payment, the carer can then get Carer’s Allowance, as well.

He can then afford to reduce his working hours, and pay for domestic help. All round, a better quality of life, for them. I agree, wholeheartedly, that money cannot buy love, health or happiness, but it doesn’t half help along the way.