The NUS SWD Campaign needs your help- actually it needs you to come and campaign with us on January 31st in London. The Draft Mental Health Bill is at a crucial stage in the parliamentary scrutiny process. The draft bill as it stands threatens the rights of people with mental health problems, and could massively overstretch mental health services. A rally has been organised by the Mental Health Alliance and the NUS SWD Campaign is supporting it. We would like to take a delegation team from NUS as it were. It is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard. The lobby is open to all grass-roots supporters of the Mental Health Alliance: service users, carers, concerned professionals, and anyone else who wants to contribute to the debate and show their support for our campaign for better mental health legislation, fit for the 21st century.

On a personal note I am totally outraged by some parts of the mental health bill- if you haven’t already gathered that by some of my emails and letters. I suppose because this is a bill that could really impact upon me. I can remember sitting at the NUS mental health day when Tom from MACA (www.maca.org.uk) and the mental health alliance (www.mentalhealthalliance.org.uk) was speaking and thinking shit, he could be talking about me.

The fact that this bill allows me to be sectioned when I’m on a low to an environment that certainly will not aid my recovery, enable me to be sectioned so therefore remove me from my support base, my home, friends, and family- the things that I really need when I’m on a low, completely outrages me but it also scares me.

To have my rights removed, which could happen through this bill, is wrong. But also it worries me that society will start to see me as a bad person, that this bill will reinforce all the stereotypes of people with mental ill health. All those stereotypes and stigma that we have been trying so hard to break down and remove. Suddenly this bill could reverse the hard work that has been happening over the last couple of years. But also I think the bill will have a negative impact upon these people seeking help and support.

To be honest admitting that you have a mental ill health and going for help is a huge huge thing- I have lost friends, lost relationships because of my mental health and it is probably taken me about 6 years to actually come to terms with my mental health and the impact it has on my life. That’s 6 years of working with my doctors, therapists etc. To be honest if 6 years ago this bill was in place I don’t think I would’ve asked for support. Knowing me I would’ve tried to sort myself out and if that had happened I’m not even sure I would still be here today.

Ok you might think I am being overdramatic but I honestly believe it is true. This bill, because of the stigma it reinforces, could prevent people like me accessing the support that they need, which are their right. Therefore we as a movement must campaign and lobby to get it changed and that is why I am asking you to come along to the mental health rally on January 31st in London and why I am asking you to lobby your MP. We can and must change this bill!!!

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