HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELFARE REPORT
HADLEY / LEEGOMERY WARD
Inequalities in health can be traced back two and a half centuries and has been linked to socio-economic class.
According to the black report 1980 during the first 35 years of the NHS there were improvements in health across all classes however there still exists a co –relation between social class, life expectancy and infant mortality rates and inequalities in respect of use of medical services.
“Inequalities in health exist whether measured in terms of mortality, life expectancy or health status; whether categorised by socioeconomic measures or by ethnic group or gender.” Acheson 1998
This report identifies specific health needs and measures in place within the Hadley Leegomery ward of Telford and Wrekin.
A new town in 1963, Telford now has a population of 160,000 and is the fastest growing town in the country.
Telford and Wrekin scores 96th of the 354 most deprived local authorities in England with 57% of the population living in the most deprived ward in England. The borough has a lower life expectancy than the national average with 25% of the population living on low incomes and child poverty in 20 of the 34 wards it is higher than the national average.
22% of the population is aged below 15 years and over the next 20 years 58% of people aged 65 and over will have increased.
There are 67,000 households with 82,000 people within the area unemployed. p3, your council your service guide 2006/07. Telford & Wrekin council.
Telford and Wrekin council became a unitary authority in 1998 giving it responsibility for government services in the Borough.
There are 33 wards within the borough of Telford and Wrekin. Hadley / Leegomery is ward 13.
Map and general view of the boundaries of the wards Hadley / Leegomery,
p4,hadleyweb.pdf www.telford.gov.uk
DEMOGRAPHY
Hadley / Leegomery has a population of 10,117 with 4021 households.
26.8% of the population is aged 0-15years and 11.8%are aged 65 and over.
There is a large representation of BME groups with Asian ethnic groups making up the majority of these .
The percentage of those identifying themselves as white British is lower than the percentage in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and England and Wales as shown in the table below.
p5,hadleyweb.pdf www.telford uk gov.
As well as having a large Asian community, people identifying themselves as Asian other and black Caribbean is also high in respect of the borough or England and Wales.
Chinese communities in the ward are also higher than in the borough, England and Wales although this is of marginal proportions.
The ward has a poorer health than the borough. 12.5% of people reported there general health as not good compared with 9.3%
Long term limiting illness accounts for 39.4% of the wards population compared to 34.65in Telford and Wrekin.
Location
Hadley /Leegomery is recognised as a residential and industrial area. Within the ward there are allotment gardens and a cemetery.
The ward has a medical practice within the main shopping area and another practice within the Leegomery estate. Both practices work within the guide lines as dictated by “saving lives; our healthier nation” the stationary officehttp://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm43/4386/4386.htm
by targeting cancer, coronary heart decease and stroke, accidents and mental health.
Hadley /Leegomery has the Princess royal hospital located within the Leegomery estate which serves the whole of the Telford and Wrekin borough.
There are two junior school located within the Leegomery estate which also offer infant and pre school facilities as well as the new Hadley learning community a 75million pound complex which accommodates 1200 place secondary school (11-16yrs), 420 primary school placements, a 150 place special school for children with severe and profound disabilities (relocating from the bridge school) a children’s centre and community facilities which will accommodate sports, the arts and life long learning. The centre will also contain the relocated library from its present location within the Hadley shopping centre.
All schools within the ward are tackling health issues through education and offer healthy diets on the school menus.
In addition to these community based amenities there is a community centre situated in the centre of the Leegomery estate, witch offers a range of social and educational activities for all age groups, and also houses a community café.
The Leegomery estate is also the location of a BMX track and park offering basket ball, football and Skate Park as well as a play park for younger children.
Within the main Hadley shopping centre there is also the parish community hall which offers various community based groups and advice centres.
With a large Asian population Hadley also has a sheik temple within the ward as well as Christian denominations churches.
The ward has a good community programme for all members of the community offering educational, recreational and legal facilities and advice.
There is good public transport with in the ward with a bus station within the Hadley centre and a service through the Leegomery estate giving access to all local and regional amenities.
Household
There are a number of housing types within the ward flats, terraced housing, bungalows and detached housing. The ward also has communal residential accommodation. The majority, 42.2% of all households are rented from registered social landlords with 45% of homes owner occupied and 55% rented. 10.67% of household are occupied by lone parents with dependent children.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE
With high, multiple deprivation scores for Hadley /Leegomery 34.6 with a ranking of 9 in Telford and Wrekin and a rank of 1524 out of 8414 on the national IMD.
There are 1553 people on low incomes ranking 12 in Telford and Wrekin and at 27.2% ranks higher than nationally which is 25%
39.5% of children in the ward live in poverty ranking 17 in Telford and Wrekin and again is higher than the national 25%
Employment deprivation in Hadley / Leegomery is 11.4% unable to work due to unemployment, sickness or injury with a national ranking of 2700 and national percentile banding of 35%
Health and disability deprivation scores are 0.78 with a rank 12 in Telford and Wrekin and 20% national percentile band.
The ward does however score fairly well regarding education at 1.35with a rank 4 in the borough, national rank 532 and 10% national percentile band.
The ward would therefore be regarded as a deprived area inhabited by the lower levels of the British class structure.
LIFESTYLES
With high unemployment, low income families and evidence of poor health in the ward. It is essential that education with regard diet, sexual health, and drug and alcohol abuse, smoking and mental health issues are addressed.
Hadley has high scores with regard to obesity, heart disease, teenage pregnancy and alcohol and drug related mental health issues.
In line with government policy both surgeries in the ward offer help 2 quit, well woman clinics, dietary advice clinics, and advisory services spastically for woman of ethnic minorities.
There is also a high crime rate in crimes, anti social behavioral issues in the ward.
The following data is taken from the West Marcia Constabulary’s C.R.I.M.E.S database for the
Period April 2001- March 2004.
1011 crimes were recorded in Hadley/Leegomery over the three-year period. April 2001 – March 2004
During this period four significant key crimes were identified:
Key Crime Main Type of offence Recorded Crimes (01/04) Main location(s)
Victim/Offender Profile
Criminal Damage to: Motor vehicles Dwellings 240 (23.7%)
Victim profile– most common age 30 to 44 (42.2% of victims)
Offender profile – nearly 90% white male, under the age of 19
Key Crime Main Type of offence Recorded Crimes (01/04)
Main location(s) Victim/Offender Profile
Assault Actual bodily harm. Common assault and battery 183 (18.1%)
Victim profile – most common age 10 to 19 (35.4% victims), mainly white
Offender profile – nearly 37%, below the age of 19, and male
Vehicle Crime Theft from motor vehicles 113 (11.2%)
Victim Profile – most common age 30 to 39 (37.9% victims)
Offenders profile– mainly white, male, under 19
Dwelling
Burglary
Dwellings 102 (8.8%)
Victim Profile– most common age 30 to 34 (18.2% victims)
Offenders profile – mainly white, male, 20 to 24 years old (75%)
Anti Social Behavior
From April 2001 and March 2004 there were 554 incidents of public disorder in Hadley/
Leegomery. Hurleybrook Way was identified as the highest repeat location for public disorder in Hadley /Leegomery.
Neighbor hood improvement plan 2005/06
In addressing these issues in the ward has targeted specific areas
For young people
• New Youth Worker in action, Development of activities for young people by Youth
• Street Sports activities
• Completion of Multi use sports area in Leegomery.
• New BMX track
• Mirpuri Community Development Project is an action research project, established to
Challenge the educational underachievement of Mirpuri speaking children. The project is
Co-ordinate by School Multicultural Development Services & it is funded by Children’s
Fund. The project team consists of one teacher and two community development workers.
• Enhanced activities at Leegomery Youth Project
• New Leegomery Youth Action Group
• Youth Club at TWIA building
Improve community safety & the environment
• Improvement and enhancement of CCTV cameras in Leegomery centre.
• Removal of bushes and abandoned cars
• New neighborhood watch schemes
• Start of the green Gym Project.
• Community Safety News Letter
Help adults back into learning
• Increased security of Leegomery Community Centre.
• Ongoing development of courses including Classroom Assistant, CLIAT and IT.
Improve health & Older residents
• Older People Inclusion Group, Older People Forum, Neighborhood Contact Scheme,
Older People Joint Commissioning are supporting older people and their projects in the area
• Swimming for the elderly
• Consultation on integrated transport
• Hadley Five 0 membership increased up to 126
• Grants for BME older people up to £2000 from Social Care
BME Communities
• Support Grants £10,000 for BME older people groups from Social Care under prevention programme
• Supporting Connecting Communities Group
• Establishment of Race Equality & Diversity Partnership
• BME membership on Local Strategic Partnership
• Religious and cultural events to promote community cohesion
• Mirpuri Project to enhance the attainment targets in schools for underachievers
• On going support to Telford West Indian Association, Black History Group, Asian Women Group and Hadley Crafts Group neighborhood improvement plan2005/20006 hadleyweb.pdf www.telford.gov.uk
In the Hadley/Leegomery ward primary and secondary health provisions as well as educational establishments and community groups are working with in the recommendations laid out in the Acheson report
“To improve health and to tackle health inequality, we need a new three-way partnership, comprising:
individuals
communities
Government
Individuals are central to our new vision for better health. People need to take responsibility for their own health - and many are doing so. There is a new and clear realization that individuals can improve their health, by what they do and the actions they take.” Acheson report 1998
IN the Hadley /Leegomery ward members of the community are being encouraged to look after there own health by looking after there whole well being mentally physically and emotionally and by becoming involved with the community as a whole.
Shared Priorities – facilitating the work of the NAT
The Neighborhood Action Team is concentrating efforts on
addressing crime, anti social behavior and children’s safety.
Other work being shared by multi agency working arrangements.
Include
Encouraging residents to feel a part of a community.
These activities are reported and discussed through the following structure.
These actions shown below will be addressed by specific theme or sub groups (the
Neighborhood Co-coordinators will support the achievements of these actions as required):
Children & Young people (improving facilities & services)
Organized activities through Children & Young People sub group.
Children Services Activities at (newly refurbished) Leegomery Youth Project.
Youth Development Service
Enhanced the use of buildings by Children &young people. (Telford Cultural centre, Telford West Indian association & Hadley Youth Project).
Voluntary organizations,
Hadley Youth
Project,
Telford West Indian Association,
Local schools,
Castle Farm
Community Centre
Leegomery Community Centre,
Leegomery Youth
Project and Hadley Youth Project
NAT’s
Health
Lifelong Learning
Older People
Families
Access to local community facilities joining up local services
Issues
Fear of crime Community Cohesion
Environment C&YP
Theme Focus of activity to be measured Lead agency
Older people & Health Sustainability of older
People voluntary groups; enhance their activities, getting them out from isolation which may lead to mental illnesses, healthy living projects.
Number of Healthy living Projects.
Funding figures to support these groups to sustain their activities.
Health Promotion Team, Age Concern, Adults services within Social care and
Older people LIT group.
Community Safety, Housing & Environment Reduction of Crime and fear of crime by 5%.
Improve environment to bring pride in to the communities and reduce fear of crime.
hadleyweb.pdf www.telford.gov.uk
Despite being recognized as a deprived area Hadley /Leegomery is a growing community and provisions in place to tackle health inadequacy are working within government policy and Telford and Wrecking authority guidelines.
Providing current trends in tackling these areas of health and social welfare continue the ward should flourish and grow healthily in the future.
Reference
Acheson 1998
. p3, your council your service guide 2006/07. Telford & Wrekin council
. p3, your council your service guide 2006/07. Telford & Wrekin council
p4,hadleyweb.pdf www.telford.gov.uk
,hadleyweb.pdf www.telford uk gov
“saving lives; our healthier nation” the stationary officehttp://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm43/4386/4386.htm
West Marcia Constabulary’s C.R.I.M.E.S database for the Period April 2001- March 2004.
hadleyweb.pdf www.telford.gov.uk
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
11.34am Wednesday 19th November 2008
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
On the 28th of July this year I read the following statement to a judge in the Telford county courts;
I have been advised by everyone I know to keep my mouth shut and let someone else speak for me today as a result of the language I use a I could be deemed in contempt of court and sentenced to 28 days in prison.
However my mother taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe is right.
I would like to ask the court to refer my case to the high court and counter claim against Telford & Wrekin Council and the burocrasy it represents as in accordance with THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 and as affective from 2000 which is intended to protect individuals from abuse by any public body including local authorities, police, and government departments.
I cite;
The data protection act 1998
The mental health act 1983
The child protection act 1998
The chronically sick and disabled persons act 1970
And the NHS7 Care in the community act 1090
And I shall provide government statistics and polices to support my claim/ allegations, which I have with me today.
I was informed by the judge that I had a valid case and right to have it heard. He advised me to seek legal representation and advise to file this case independently thought the courts, as he had to deal with the present case as presented at the time. He also advised me that I was entitled to legal aid as a student and as at the time between courses I was in fact registered as unemployed and had not decided as to whither or not take up the third year option on my course to up grade to a BA honours degree in social care and social policy as a result of the problems my last to years have caused financially.
Since then I have contacted several lawyers, councillors, the CAB and the law society to try and find representation however as soon as I explain what I want help with and why I am told they don’t deal with these types of cases the law society has yet to acknowledge my email.
I have even tried contacting the press to no avail.
I have received on the 7th October 2008 notification from Telford and Wrekin council that I am in arrears again, despite the fact that I have for the period they are claiming been in receipt of housing benefit.
As I have an outstanding balance of £141.42 AND will again be liable to pay court costs of £230.
I have also contacted several press and media sources in hope of some advice before trying to file my counter claim myself however no one wants to know.
With this in mind I then posted this on the internet and wherever else I feel someone who may be able to advise me as to what someone has to do to receive justice in the U.K.
And since then my internet connection has been down and my phone cut off making it all but impossible for me to contact or perform many of the people who could advice or help me with my current situation.
Subsequently my health has therefore continued to deteriorate mentally and emotionally and the financial circumstances that continue to create more financial strain and stress appear to multiply and affect the entire family unit negatively. Which I believe results from societal issues resulting from poor social care and welfare.
I have now today received a letter from the Telford and Wrekin housing trust reminding me of my court appearance regarding further rent arrears on Friday although the notice I have for the court date is Monday 24th. When they intend to have me evicted from my home.
I now feel it is necessary for me to make public the details surrounding the case and explain the reason I feel my human rights have been violated by the Telford and Wrekin council, the dhss, the CSA and the justice system and therefore subsequently the government of the united kingdom who these bodies represent.
I fully realise that this statement may have me deemed mentally instable as a reflection of my diagnosed past history of depression however I believe I have sufficient evidence to prove that I am not mentally instable and to support and prove my allegations.
I also understand that in the course of my actions I may have broken several laws and could end up in prison as a result of my actions and the adverse results this could have on my children however as I have reached a point in my life where I can no longer cope with the situation with out negative results on my families emotional and behaviour health in the future I feel that I have no other options but to continue on the path I am and endeavour to find justice not only for myself but for the 1in 4 people in the united kingdom who I believe I represent who live in deprivation depression and social inequality resulting from poor government practice, and policy over the last 46- 50 years as history would suggest.
I therefore would like now to invite anyone working in the media interested in these other details and evidence to contact me if they would like to know the story given the hype surrounding the human right of a exotic dancer, Jonathan Ross and Russell brand being discussed in the house of parliament I find it almost laughable that my human right as a single parent undergraduate, who doesn’t receive child maintenance, or support , with a history in social services and care a FDA in health and social welfare who has there child removed by social services without so much as a face to face interview or attempt by social services to have this can’t get advice , or assistance or even an inquiry from the local press who have been made aware on several occasions of the story. Before I either get arrested or loose my home or am committed to a mental institution. And ironic given my past career in the entertainment, leisure and sex industry.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
On the 28th of July this year I read the following statement to a judge in the Telford county courts;
I have been advised by everyone I know to keep my mouth shut and let someone else speak for me today as a result of the language I use a I could be deemed in contempt of court and sentenced to 28 days in prison.
However my mother taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe is right.
I would like to ask the court to refer my case to the high court and counter claim against Telford & Wrekin Council and the burocrasy it represents as in accordance with THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 and as affective from 2000 which is intended to protect individuals from abuse by any public body including local authorities, police, and government departments.
I cite;
The data protection act 1998
The mental health act 1983
The child protection act 1998
The chronically sick and disabled persons act 1970
And the NHS7 Care in the community act 1090
And I shall provide government statistics and polices to support my claim/ allegations, which I have with me today.
I was informed by the judge that I had a valid case and right to have it heard. He advised me to seek legal representation and advise to file this case independently thought the courts, as he had to deal with the present case as presented at the time. He also advised me that I was entitled to legal aid as a student and as at the time between courses I was in fact registered as unemployed and had not decided as to whither or not take up the third year option on my course to up grade to a BA honours degree in social care and social policy as a result of the problems my last to years have caused financially.
Since then I have contacted several lawyers, councillors, the CAB and the law society to try and find representation however as soon as I explain what I want help with and why I am told they don’t deal with these types of cases the law society has yet to acknowledge my email.
I have even tried contacting the press to no avail.
I have received on the 7th October 2008 notification from Telford and Wrekin council that I am in arrears again, despite the fact that I have for the period they are claiming been in receipt of housing benefit.
As I have an outstanding balance of £141.42 AND will again be liable to pay court costs of £230.
I have also contacted several press and media sources in hope of some advice before trying to file my counter claim myself however no one wants to know.
With this in mind I then posted this on the internet and wherever else I feel someone who may be able to advise me as to what someone has to do to receive justice in the U.K.
And since then my internet connection has been down and my phone cut off making it all but impossible for me to contact or perform many of the people who could advice or help me with my current situation.
Subsequently my health has therefore continued to deteriorate mentally and emotionally and the financial circumstances that continue to create more financial strain and stress appear to multiply and affect the entire family unit negatively. Which I believe results from societal issues resulting from poor social care and welfare.
I have now today received a letter from the Telford and Wrekin housing trust reminding me of my court appearance regarding further rent arrears on Friday although the notice I have for the court date is Monday 24th. When they intend to have me evicted from my home.
I now feel it is necessary for me to make public the details surrounding the case and explain the reason I feel my human rights have been violated by the Telford and Wrekin council, the dhss, the CSA and the justice system and therefore subsequently the government of the united kingdom who these bodies represent.
I fully realise that this statement may have me deemed mentally instable as a reflection of my diagnosed past history of depression however I believe I have sufficient evidence to prove that I am not mentally instable and to support and prove my allegations.
I also understand that in the course of my actions I may have broken several laws and could end up in prison as a result of my actions and the adverse results this could have on my children however as I have reached a point in my life where I can no longer cope with the situation with out negative results on my families emotional and behaviour health in the future I feel that I have no other options but to continue on the path I am and endeavour to find justice not only for myself but for the 1in 4 people in the united kingdom who I believe I represent who live in deprivation depression and social inequality resulting from poor government practice, and policy over the last 46- 50 years as history would suggest.
I therefore would like now to invite anyone working in the media interested in these other details and evidence to contact me if they would like to know the story given the hype surrounding the human right of a exotic dancer, Jonathan Ross and Russell brand being discussed in the house of parliament I find it almost laughable that my human right as a single parent undergraduate, who doesn’t receive child maintenance, or support , with a history in social services and care a FDA in health and social welfare who has there child removed by social services without so much as a face to face interview or attempt by social services to have this can’t get advice , or assistance or even an inquiry from the local press who have been made aware on several occasions of the story. Before I either get arrested or loose my home or am committed to a mental institution. And ironic given my past career in the entertainment, leisure and sex industry.
How does the gender issue negatively affect woman in relation to social Constructions / Labelling in Woman’s Mental Health.
Introduction
It could be suggested that the nature nurture issue and its affects on society has been the subject of debate since the dawn of time. It could also be suggested that since then as a result of the basic biological characteristics attributed to an individual as defined by gender, woman have negatively been discriminated against and defiled.
This essay will demonstrate the affects of labelling and social constructions on woman’s mental health from cradle to grave.
It will demonstrate how gender roles and stereotyping has affected woman’s role in society reflecting historical facts and sociological theories to support this.
It will demonstrate how social constructions help to reinforce gender roles and negatively affect woman’s role in the workplace and in society in generally which may result in increased risk of mental/emotional illness.
It will demonstrate how female gender stereotyping labels have resulted in negative discrimination in both care provision and career advancement in all areas of care relating to mental health.
I have chosen this subject because it is one that I have great personal interest in and also because it is something that I believe has a major impact on the lives of everyone irrespective of there gender.
I shall attempt to support my argument with citations from various sources which I shall critically analyse and support my finding with statistics and supporting evidence.
I shall identify areas where positive advancements have been made and demonstrate with related theories why some areas have failed to improve and conclude with suggestion of what could be done to improve these issues.
Gender labelling stereotyping and social constructions
Our culture has been deeply penetrated by the notion that “man”-not woman- is created in the image of God. This notion persists, despite the likelihood that the creation goes in the other direction: that God is a human projection of the image of man. No known religion, past or present, ever succeeded in establishing a completely sexless deity. Worship was always accorded either a female or a male; occasionally a sexually united couple or an androgynous symbol of them; but deities had a sex just as people have a sex. Walker, B. (1983) The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
Social constructions are the phenomena created by religious medical political and legal hierarchy to control and indoctrinate the masses according David Cooper (1971) in his Death of the family.
For the last three centuries western societies have justified discrimination and the oppression of woman with scientific ideology based on medical, physiological and social sciences. In the years before that religion through the churches, scriptures and the Inquisition served as the defilers of women. Szasz, T, (1971) The Manufacture of Madness.
Cooper describes “the family” in terms of the patriarchy and describes the family in terms of social constructions as a learning tool from which we learn our moral, ethical and social believes.
From these beginnings the labelling process which affects everyone becomes established. Cooper goes on to elaborate on how the family or nuclear family in western society is applied through urbanisation, religious organisations and medical and legal judgments.
Becker, H. (1967) supported these ideas and in his outsiders which explains how labelling affects individuals in many diverse ways by religion race gender and social class as well as behavioural attributes and recognises that labelling and stigmatization can also be applied through associations and preconceived ideas as to how certain types of people are expected to, or are thought to behave or react to social phenomena depending on the label they have to been given.
If we predate woman’s role in society to before the influences of Christian ideology four words are often closely related, woman, witch, midwife and healer.
Women have a long history as community healers in pre-industrial Europe and colonial America. “The good woman” “cunning woman” or “wise woman” was the person to whom people turned in times of illness she represented the chief medical practitioner available to a community living in constant poverty and disease. Mitchell, J. & Oakley, A. (1976) The Right And Wrongs Of Woman.
These woman earned there label as healers and community leaders because they knew about pharmacology, anatomy, biology, physiotherapy, and astrology and they grew and cultivated the natural remedies that make up the basis of many modern medicines.
However Christian ideology devilled woman from the beginning with the assertion that eve, having tempted Adam with what has come to be known as the original sin, was responsible for the condemnation of humanity.
The catholic encyclopaedia declares, “The female sex in some respects inferior to the male sex, both as regards body and soul.”
The bible has supported sexist sentiments which have been echoed by all churchmen. According to the gospel of Thomas: “Woman are not worthy of life” and Clement of Alexander quoted Christ from the Gospel According to the Egyptians: I have come to destroy the works of the female. He added: “Every woman ought to be filled with shame at the thought that she is a woman.”
It could be suggested that the Christian theology system was designed by men for men to suppress and restrict the interests of women and in order to do this, women were deemed as the consort or decoys of the devil. Official church literature said:
All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of woman…The natural reason is that she is more carnal than a man, as is clear from her many carnal abominations. And it should be noted that there was a defect in the formation of the first woman, since she was formed from a bent rib, that is the rib of the breast, which is bent as it were in a contrary direction to man. And since this defect she is an imperfect animal, she always deceives.
However modern genetic research suggests the reverse of this idea as the XY chromosome that produces a male is physiologically an “incomplete” female chromosome. The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
The transaction from wise woman leader and carer of the community to witch, devil worshipper , lunatic and social outcast has been well documented by Thomas Szasz in his comparative study of the inquisition and the mental health movement THE MANUFACTURE OF MADNESS(1973).
Szasz argues that historically it has been proven through western society the plight of woman as scapegoats has been successfully applied through the labelling process and stigmatization particularly among the lower classes.
The role of woman as “wise woman “challenged and threaten male dominant society.
Three hierarchies corresponded: church over laity, man over woman and landlord over peasant. Mitchell & Oakley. (1976)
The inquisition was a created by and large by church leaders (men) as a mechanism for social control. Information was collected from the public that could lead to the discovery of information that could suggest deviant behaviours. Informers were often paid for or favoured for the information. During the inquisition the accused were seldom allowed an attorney. Woman children and slaves were allowed to testify against the witch but it was forbidden to testify in her defence. Courts had the power to seize the personal property and assets of anyone found guilty of any charges brought by the inquisition. The inquisition was finally restrained in the nineteenth century however it survives today and has been known as the “Concretion For The Doctrine Of The Faith” since December 1965.
Woman accused of witch craft tended to be Married or widowed, middle aged or old and of low socio-economic class. By the time of the last execution of a witch in England in 1684 the church had established that the role of woman was one of inferiority to men.
With the hierarchy of male dormancy established and men predominant in medical, political and religious professions it could be suggested it was easy to then establish a pattern of dominance through social constructions that negatively affects woman.
.Medical and psychological
The introduction of the mental health prospective
Having taken the role of wise woman from the female of the species a role then had to be assigned to them by the church to justify there existence given they were such vile and evil creatures. Thus the carer roles of woman from the nurturing aspects were established as woman’s purpose to create, nurture and maintain life, the matriarch role.
Having already successfully applied the deviant role to woman though religious propaganda which deemed them of inferior biological ,and moral standing to men and successfully explained there biological function , to give life, as a punishment for being evil,( the pain of childbirth) gender discrimination was, it could be suggested, the first social construction of western society.
It could be also be suggested that because woman have been biologically designed to nurture and create life, responsibility for its primary stages was easily assigned to them, via the biological factors which are rooted in the alpha male, female roles of male, hunter gatherer, female nurturer carer as Abbot and Wallace (1990) explained and who also recognised the creation of these socially constructed role were made by men.
It became thus predominantly the role of the medical profession via psychiatry and psychology to keep woman in there subservient position.
The now male dominant medical profession used the madness/ insanity card to support it’s theories on female inferiority and helped to sustain and support the churches ideologies in the process.
The original definition of madness dates back to the 17th century, as the condition which justifies confinement in the asylum, and is accurately demonstrated by Szasz,
“To be considered mad, it was enough to be abandoned, destitute, poor, unwanted by parents or society” and continues reflecting how such incarceration were not in the best interest of those being diagnosed and incarcerated,” this action was to be taken on the complaint of parents, or, if these were dead, of near relatives, or the parish priest. The wayward children were kept as long as the directors deemed wise and were to be released only on written order by four directors. The Manufacture of madness, (1971).
Unsurprisingly all of these conditions were also regarded as synonymous with being female.
At its roots medicine regarded mental illness generally as a biological, genetic or chemical mal-function in the individual, and continued to follow in the traditions of Charcot (1825-1893) and capelin (1856-1926). Whose primary focus was neurology.
Charcot believed that hysteria/madness a term, which was and still is, used as a characteristic associated with woman, and mental health in all its forms, was a neurological disorder caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system.
It could be argued that Chariot’s most important contribution to psychiatry was that he defined hysteria (madness) as an illness rather than a mode of malingering a popular label attached to suffer of mental health issues.
Charcot used hypnosis to induce a state of hysteria and studied the results, and was accredited with changing the medical community's opinion about the validity of hypnosis.
The medical model the term, (cited by R D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) as the "set of procedures in which all doctors are trained." aims to find medical treatments for diagnosed symptoms and syndromes of mental ill health based on assumptions of Kraepelen.
Kraepelin identified three major severe psychiatric disorders; dementia praecox, later renamed schizophrenia, by Bleuler (1857-1939). Manic depression, which covers all mood disorders, and paranoia, which basis the diagnosis of patients under the label of delusional.
The transaction from the term witch to mental patient was not a difficult one and is well documented by sociologist, physiologists and feminist and is recognized widely to be the roots of female, stereotyping, stigmatization, incarceration and discrimination in society and is best illustrated by Ssaz’s (1971) the manufacture of madness and the Myth of mental and The myth of Mental illness (1960).
Szasz’s findings are supported by Shoman's. (1970) who utilized the labeling process as part of communication theory as a genetic theory of deviance and by Shoham and Rahav (1968) as an explority set of hypotheses to explain prostitution in authoritarian families.
The stigma premises as related to crime and deviance, operated on low levels. The first was related to the stigmatizing pressure of the community and the public at large on conflicted offenders to commit further crimes and deviations, and the second related to the internalization of tags of deviation, and badness as a raw material for the formation of negative ego-identity . In other words the first aspect related to the casualty of recidivism whereas the second was intended to explain the etiology of some types of delinquency, crime and deviance Shoham. Society and the absurd
The problem with medicine, Laing argues is that because the diagnosis of mental illness is based on the conduct or behavior of the patient, and not on pathology, the "diagnosis" contravenes standard medical procedure and therefore the medical model’s examinations and tests which are usually conducted after the diagnosis unlike with physical diseases and ailments which are diagnosed by evident pathology found during examinations and tests, mental illness is diagnosed by patient's conduct with only a hint of a pathology not cited at the time of diagnosis.
As the medical model approaches mental health issues from a traditional, scientific and biological medical prospective it has limitations which include a failure to appreciate the significance of internal experiences, lack of recognition of individuality and diversity, and lack of appreciation of the role of culture in mental health. It has also been suggested that by so doing the medical model actually contributes to, rather than elevates the problem by continuing to treat patients with mind altering drugs like chlorpromazine, Librium, Diazepam, Seroxat and other tranquilizer and Benzedrine varieties all which are often encompassed under the umbrella of anti-depressant drugs and used as anti- psychotic drug treatments over long periods which can cause side effects that in fact reflect symptoms commonly cited in the diagnosis of mental health issues such as memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, paranoia and lethargy. As the BBC’ panorama demonstrated when it investigated Seroxat. PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002
Freud (1856-1939), founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, revolutionized the approach to psychiatric medicine with his theories of the unconscious mind, involving the mechanism of repression; and his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship and also his ideas on dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Freud influenced not just psychiatric medicine but feminist theories, philosophy, and psychology. However, his theories remain controversial. Although Freud was an early champion of both sexual freedom and education for women some feminists have argued that at worst his views of women's sexual development set the progress of women in back decades. However others like feminist theorists like Nancy Chodorow, have suggested that psychoanalytic theory is essential in relation to the feminist projects and should be adapted by women to free it from of sexism.
In "Freudianism: The Misguided Feminism", Shulamith Firestone discusses how Freudianism is essentially accurate, with the exception of one crucial detail: everywhere that Freud wrote "penis", the word should be replaced with "power". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
THE SOCIOLPGICAL PROSPECTIVE
The deviant label has historically been as synonymous with mental health diagnosis as it has been with woman. “Deviant behavior” the term used as the behavior of the mental health patient deviates from the accepted norm of the cultural and societal rules laid down by the hierarchy of those making the diagnosis. Usually men. Social class will also be a contributing factor. Historically British society’s hierarchies and rule makers have traditionally belonged to upper and middle classes and are predominantly white Christian males.
It is also notable that often the deviant/ mentally ill label may be applied to someone without them ever having committed an act of deviance by there association with those labeled under the vast umbrella of deviant behaviors, as is explained by Becker in his The outsiders (1963).
Sociologist and feminist would agree that gender roles and stereotype linked to mental health issues have been the sole foundations of female discrimination since the dawn of creation. Martin Luther claimed the physical differences between men and woman demonstrated God’s plan for sexism. And stated that woman should stay at home and bear children as this was what they were made for, and if they should tier and die from this function it was no big deal as it was there purpose. Woman’s encicoplidia.
Political prospective
Effects Of Government Ideology And Policy
When considering government policy in the health and social care area it is important to understand the ideological belief which that policy is grounded on and how it can disadvantage certain groups within society while benefiting others.
Arguably the most influential political ideologies on the beginning of the welfare state in Britain as it is today are those attributed to the ideas of Fabianism. Fabians led by Sidney and Beatrice Webb, believed that socialism in Britain was compatible with institutions of the state and should be brought through parliamentary routes. They felt that government should promote the collective good umpiring between the demands of different interests, giving birth to ‘social administration’ which laid the foundations of today’s ‘social policy’
Fabians believed in the gradual social reform (‘inherent in the notion in gradual social change was the concept of the ethical socialism apparent in the writing theorist such as Tawney and Marshall. Within their writings was a notion of equality which emphasised self-esteem and dignity’) Alcock. Payne and Sullivan (2000, p30).
60’s social and sexual revolution
Since the social and sexual revolution of the 1960 the feminist movement has com along way in the work place and home, however, stereotyping and labeling resulting in and from, poor mental health, is still a predominant factor in the discrimination of woman in the workplace within the care sector despite anti-discriminatory legislation such as Equal Opportunities Act ( ), The Mental Health Act (1983), Nhs And Community Cat Act (1990), Criminal Justice Act 1991,
Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995, Crime and Disorder Act (1995), Care Standards Act 2000 and Health and Social Care Act 2001
It is argued by many feminist that even under these acts of legislation woman are still widely
Unprotected and discriminated against by law and this is supported by government figures that reflect inequalities and inadequacies of Health and welfare in Britain.
Statistically evidence
Mental health/depression
Women are more likely to be treated for mental health issues than men (29% compared to 17%). it is suggested this is because when asked, women are likely to report symptoms of common mental health problems.- Better Or Worse: A Longitudinal Study Of The Mental Health Of Adults In Great Britain, National Statistics (2003)
Depression is more common in women than men. 1 in 4 women require treatment for depression at some time in there life’s, compared to 1 in 10 men It has also been suggested that depression in men may have been under diagnosed because they present to their GP with different symptoms. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003)
Women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. Of people with phobias or OCD, about 60% are female. - The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Men are more likely than women to have an alcohol or drug problem. 67% of British people who consume alcohol at ‘hazardous’ levels, and 80% of those dependent on alcohol are male. Almost three quarters of people dependent on cannabis and 69% of those dependent on other illegal drugs are male. - The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
One in four unemployed people has a common mental health problem- The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
1 in 5 older people living in the community and 2 in 5 living in care homes. are affected by Depression - Adults In Later Life with Mental Health Problems, Mental Health Foundation quoting Psychiatry in the Elderly (3rd edition) Oxford University Press (2002)
Dementia affects 5% of people over the age of 65 and 20% of those over 80.
Approximately 700,000 people in the UK have dementia (1.2% of the population) at any one time. - National Institute For Clinical Excellence (2004)
Discrimination/ victimisation
Education
A 2003 study found that less than half of young pregnant women and young mothers were able to access a full curriculum.
60% of teenage mothers had no qualifications by their early 20s compared with 25% of women who had become mothers after their teenage years.
In 2006, female graduates earned, on average, 15% less than their male counterparts at the age of 24, with this gender pay gap widening with age (increasing to 40.5% for women graduates aged 41-45) which suggests that If graduate debt rises to £26,000 (which is likely with ‘top-up3 fees) this would suggest a woman earning £36,000 with two children, 19 years to pay back her student loan. In contrast, a man earning the same salary would take 15 years to repay this debt.
In 2002 women were under-represented in management positions in schools, only 31% of secondary heads are female.
Approximately 1,000 women per year in England and Wales take legal action resulting from dismissal due to pregnancy. This is only 3% of all women experiencing discrimination at work when pregnant according to figures from 2003.
The average award for injury in sex discrimination cases involving pregnancy related dismissal is £2,000 lower than in non-pregnancy related dismissal cases.
One in five women returning from maternity leave are given lower grade jobs
The gender pay gap in the UK is one of the highest in Europe: women working full-time earn17% less per hour than men and women working part-time earn 39% less per hour than men working full-time.
About 30,000 women in the UK leave their jobs each year because of pregnancy discrimination
Women in full-time employment spend nearly 30% more time on childcare every day than men in full-time employment. http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women in the UK. Every 60 seconds. According to Telford and Wrekin councils community living web page, Woman as victims)
In comparison “The figures on the extent of violence against men vary; the 2001/02 British Crime Survey (BCS) found that 19% of domestic violence incidents reported were male victims and just under half of these were by a female perpetrator”.
The cost of Domestic abuse is outlined by Baker, I (2007) in his report no blame no shame, (2002 – 2007 ) is that there were 1827 incidents of domestic violence reported to the police from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003, which was an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period from previous years
The statistics suggest that for every 1000 women 250 will experience Domestic abuse within their life time in comparison to1000 men, 166 will experience Domestic abuse.
Prostitution has a female to male ratio of 4 to 174% of female prostitutes cited poverty, supporting children and household expenses, as a primary motivator for
Girls and young women are t twice as likely to be on the child protection register for sexual abuse as boys and young men.
It is estimated that 100,000 young people under 16 run away from home or care each year. Children in care are more likely to abscond, with girls being twice as likely to run away as boys.
Despite the fact that a criminal record can have life-long consequences for young women, the Government maintains there are “compelling arguments” for maintaining criminal offences for sex workers under 18 years.
It is estimated that 95% of women involved in prostitution have a drug or alcohol addiction. Most teenage prostitutes are involved in street prostitution, estimated to be 10 times more dangerous than working indoors. http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
Mental health related issues are probably the most commonly used methods in the continual suppression and discrimination of woman.
However these facts clearly reflect that not only is there a need for societal changes in regard to these issues but that given these factors it surely indicates that there is justifiable reason for women to be concerned, angry, and unsatisfied with these inequalities and inadequacies within the health and welfare sector, as well as justifiable cause to be depressed irrespective of the prospective of the hierarchy be they religious, medical / physiological / physical, legal/political or societal / class / environment/demography.
Thompson (1993) argues that the 60’s was significant in a number of ways.
First, feminist thought gained recognition as a “liberation movement”. Issues of equality of rights and equal opportunity became firmly established in the political agenda and issues surrounding the oppression of ethnic minorities and racial discrimination achieved more prominence politically in the mass media. He also notes the tendency towards the raising of consciousness inspired by both the drug culture and political; radicalism, a time ‘of idealism and anti-establishment challenge of the status quo’1993: 3. Lago, c. and smith, b. (2003) anti-discriminatory counseling practice. London; Sage publications.
The influences of Americas ‘third force’ theories and ideals from Maslow (1908-1970), and Rogers (1902-1987). And writing of Lang, R.D. (1965) The Divided self. Harmondsworth. Penguin. paved the way towards the humanist and holistic approach we now strive to apply in health and social care and has got to be recognised as playing an influential role in the feminist movements cause and heralded an attitude that has got to be recognised as benefiting woman in relation to health and social welfare in treatment of woman in work and social equality but it is also fair to suggest that it hasn’t done enough and still has a long way to go. As statistics continue to reflect that woman are still widely discriminated against within the health and welfare sector as a whole.
In conclusion
As a woman my own experiences within the care sector as patient, student and employee have taught me that the impact of socially constructed ideas in relation to the gender debate have greatly affected and influenced my own work ethic as well as my personal development morally and ethically and has its roots firmly planted in the holistic, humanist and existentialist philosophy.
Undeniably my believes have been moulded by the various treatment and therapies I have received as a mental health patient under various diagnosed labels applied to me as both mental health patient and woman, based on various assumptions by various members of the care profession that I have encountered in various sectors that on reflection and personal research has indicated was miss or badly/ wrongly diagnosed labelling that reflected stereotypical ideas on my behaviours.
It is also undeniable that these miss diagnoses were as a direct result of societal issues that I now understand to be related to the secret deviant behaviour as described by Beker, H. (1963 ) that was a direct result of negative stereotyping and labelling.
Coupled with this my experiences within the care industry working in the residential sector with children with behavioural and emotional issues resulting from societal influences and with elderly clients predominately female clients in community care roles I have witnessed and experienced discrimination that has resulted directly from physiological issues that have resulted from sociological factors suggesting that the only way to make any headway in irradiating the mental health issues, in relation to inequalities and discrimination, not just towards woman but in society as a whole is to address the socially constructed stereotyping agenda although, it could also be suggested that this will only ever be achieved if the men of society adapt a more feminist prospective.
References
Abbot and Wallace (1990)
Adults In Later Life with Mental Health Problems, Mental Health Foundation quoting Psychiatry in the Elderly (3rd edition) Oxford University Press (2002)
Alcock. Payne and Sullivan (2000, p30).
Baker, I (2007) blame no shame, (2002 – 2007 )
Beker, H. (1963). Outsiders. Free Press
Better Or Worse: A Longitudinal Study Of The Mental Health Of Adults In Great Britain,
The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Bleuler (1857-1939).Bracha L. Ettinger
Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995
Care Standards Act 2000
Charcot (1825-1893) and capelin (1856-1926).
Criminal Justice Act 1991
Crime and Disorder Act (1995)
David Cooper (1971) in his Death of the family
Human Rights act (1998)
Health and Social Care Act 2001
Kraepelen.
R D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) ,R.D.(1971)The Politics of the Family, Tavistock
Lang, R.D. (1965) The Divided self. Harmondsworth. Penguin.
. Luce Irigaray
Maslow (1908-1970), and Rogers (1902-1987
Madness and morals Joseph Berke(ed.)
Mitchell, J. & Oakley, A. (1976) The Right And Wrongs Of Woman
Morton Schatzman
Nancy Chodorow
National Statistics (2003)
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003)
Nhs And Community Cat Act (1990)
PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002.
SEX OFFENDERS ACT 2003
National Institute For Clinical Excellence (2004)
Scheff,T.J.(1966),Being Mentally Ill; A Sociological Theory, Weidenfeild & Nicolson
Shoman's. (1970)
Shoham and Rahav (1968).
Shoham Society and the absurd(1974) Basil Blackwell .oxford
Shulamith Firestone.( 1945)"Freudianism: The Misguided Feminism",
Szasz,T.S (1960) The myth of mental illness
Szasz,T.S (1971).The manufacture of madness, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.
Tawney and Marshall.
The Mental Health Act (1983),
The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Telford and Wrekin councils community living web page, Woman as victims)
2001/02 British Crime Survey (BCS)
Thompson (1993) quo’1993: 3. Lago, c. and smith, b. (2003) anti-discriminatory counseling practice. London; Sage publications.
Walker, B. (1983) The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_model`
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2310197.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
Introduction
It could be suggested that the nature nurture issue and its affects on society has been the subject of debate since the dawn of time. It could also be suggested that since then as a result of the basic biological characteristics attributed to an individual as defined by gender, woman have negatively been discriminated against and defiled.
This essay will demonstrate the affects of labelling and social constructions on woman’s mental health from cradle to grave.
It will demonstrate how gender roles and stereotyping has affected woman’s role in society reflecting historical facts and sociological theories to support this.
It will demonstrate how social constructions help to reinforce gender roles and negatively affect woman’s role in the workplace and in society in generally which may result in increased risk of mental/emotional illness.
It will demonstrate how female gender stereotyping labels have resulted in negative discrimination in both care provision and career advancement in all areas of care relating to mental health.
I have chosen this subject because it is one that I have great personal interest in and also because it is something that I believe has a major impact on the lives of everyone irrespective of there gender.
I shall attempt to support my argument with citations from various sources which I shall critically analyse and support my finding with statistics and supporting evidence.
I shall identify areas where positive advancements have been made and demonstrate with related theories why some areas have failed to improve and conclude with suggestion of what could be done to improve these issues.
Gender labelling stereotyping and social constructions
Our culture has been deeply penetrated by the notion that “man”-not woman- is created in the image of God. This notion persists, despite the likelihood that the creation goes in the other direction: that God is a human projection of the image of man. No known religion, past or present, ever succeeded in establishing a completely sexless deity. Worship was always accorded either a female or a male; occasionally a sexually united couple or an androgynous symbol of them; but deities had a sex just as people have a sex. Walker, B. (1983) The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
Social constructions are the phenomena created by religious medical political and legal hierarchy to control and indoctrinate the masses according David Cooper (1971) in his Death of the family.
For the last three centuries western societies have justified discrimination and the oppression of woman with scientific ideology based on medical, physiological and social sciences. In the years before that religion through the churches, scriptures and the Inquisition served as the defilers of women. Szasz, T, (1971) The Manufacture of Madness.
Cooper describes “the family” in terms of the patriarchy and describes the family in terms of social constructions as a learning tool from which we learn our moral, ethical and social believes.
From these beginnings the labelling process which affects everyone becomes established. Cooper goes on to elaborate on how the family or nuclear family in western society is applied through urbanisation, religious organisations and medical and legal judgments.
Becker, H. (1967) supported these ideas and in his outsiders which explains how labelling affects individuals in many diverse ways by religion race gender and social class as well as behavioural attributes and recognises that labelling and stigmatization can also be applied through associations and preconceived ideas as to how certain types of people are expected to, or are thought to behave or react to social phenomena depending on the label they have to been given.
If we predate woman’s role in society to before the influences of Christian ideology four words are often closely related, woman, witch, midwife and healer.
Women have a long history as community healers in pre-industrial Europe and colonial America. “The good woman” “cunning woman” or “wise woman” was the person to whom people turned in times of illness she represented the chief medical practitioner available to a community living in constant poverty and disease. Mitchell, J. & Oakley, A. (1976) The Right And Wrongs Of Woman.
These woman earned there label as healers and community leaders because they knew about pharmacology, anatomy, biology, physiotherapy, and astrology and they grew and cultivated the natural remedies that make up the basis of many modern medicines.
However Christian ideology devilled woman from the beginning with the assertion that eve, having tempted Adam with what has come to be known as the original sin, was responsible for the condemnation of humanity.
The catholic encyclopaedia declares, “The female sex in some respects inferior to the male sex, both as regards body and soul.”
The bible has supported sexist sentiments which have been echoed by all churchmen. According to the gospel of Thomas: “Woman are not worthy of life” and Clement of Alexander quoted Christ from the Gospel According to the Egyptians: I have come to destroy the works of the female. He added: “Every woman ought to be filled with shame at the thought that she is a woman.”
It could be suggested that the Christian theology system was designed by men for men to suppress and restrict the interests of women and in order to do this, women were deemed as the consort or decoys of the devil. Official church literature said:
All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of woman…The natural reason is that she is more carnal than a man, as is clear from her many carnal abominations. And it should be noted that there was a defect in the formation of the first woman, since she was formed from a bent rib, that is the rib of the breast, which is bent as it were in a contrary direction to man. And since this defect she is an imperfect animal, she always deceives.
However modern genetic research suggests the reverse of this idea as the XY chromosome that produces a male is physiologically an “incomplete” female chromosome. The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
The transaction from wise woman leader and carer of the community to witch, devil worshipper , lunatic and social outcast has been well documented by Thomas Szasz in his comparative study of the inquisition and the mental health movement THE MANUFACTURE OF MADNESS(1973).
Szasz argues that historically it has been proven through western society the plight of woman as scapegoats has been successfully applied through the labelling process and stigmatization particularly among the lower classes.
The role of woman as “wise woman “challenged and threaten male dominant society.
Three hierarchies corresponded: church over laity, man over woman and landlord over peasant. Mitchell & Oakley. (1976)
The inquisition was a created by and large by church leaders (men) as a mechanism for social control. Information was collected from the public that could lead to the discovery of information that could suggest deviant behaviours. Informers were often paid for or favoured for the information. During the inquisition the accused were seldom allowed an attorney. Woman children and slaves were allowed to testify against the witch but it was forbidden to testify in her defence. Courts had the power to seize the personal property and assets of anyone found guilty of any charges brought by the inquisition. The inquisition was finally restrained in the nineteenth century however it survives today and has been known as the “Concretion For The Doctrine Of The Faith” since December 1965.
Woman accused of witch craft tended to be Married or widowed, middle aged or old and of low socio-economic class. By the time of the last execution of a witch in England in 1684 the church had established that the role of woman was one of inferiority to men.
With the hierarchy of male dormancy established and men predominant in medical, political and religious professions it could be suggested it was easy to then establish a pattern of dominance through social constructions that negatively affects woman.
.Medical and psychological
The introduction of the mental health prospective
Having taken the role of wise woman from the female of the species a role then had to be assigned to them by the church to justify there existence given they were such vile and evil creatures. Thus the carer roles of woman from the nurturing aspects were established as woman’s purpose to create, nurture and maintain life, the matriarch role.
Having already successfully applied the deviant role to woman though religious propaganda which deemed them of inferior biological ,and moral standing to men and successfully explained there biological function , to give life, as a punishment for being evil,( the pain of childbirth) gender discrimination was, it could be suggested, the first social construction of western society.
It could be also be suggested that because woman have been biologically designed to nurture and create life, responsibility for its primary stages was easily assigned to them, via the biological factors which are rooted in the alpha male, female roles of male, hunter gatherer, female nurturer carer as Abbot and Wallace (1990) explained and who also recognised the creation of these socially constructed role were made by men.
It became thus predominantly the role of the medical profession via psychiatry and psychology to keep woman in there subservient position.
The now male dominant medical profession used the madness/ insanity card to support it’s theories on female inferiority and helped to sustain and support the churches ideologies in the process.
The original definition of madness dates back to the 17th century, as the condition which justifies confinement in the asylum, and is accurately demonstrated by Szasz,
“To be considered mad, it was enough to be abandoned, destitute, poor, unwanted by parents or society” and continues reflecting how such incarceration were not in the best interest of those being diagnosed and incarcerated,” this action was to be taken on the complaint of parents, or, if these were dead, of near relatives, or the parish priest. The wayward children were kept as long as the directors deemed wise and were to be released only on written order by four directors. The Manufacture of madness, (1971).
Unsurprisingly all of these conditions were also regarded as synonymous with being female.
At its roots medicine regarded mental illness generally as a biological, genetic or chemical mal-function in the individual, and continued to follow in the traditions of Charcot (1825-1893) and capelin (1856-1926). Whose primary focus was neurology.
Charcot believed that hysteria/madness a term, which was and still is, used as a characteristic associated with woman, and mental health in all its forms, was a neurological disorder caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system.
It could be argued that Chariot’s most important contribution to psychiatry was that he defined hysteria (madness) as an illness rather than a mode of malingering a popular label attached to suffer of mental health issues.
Charcot used hypnosis to induce a state of hysteria and studied the results, and was accredited with changing the medical community's opinion about the validity of hypnosis.
The medical model the term, (cited by R D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) as the "set of procedures in which all doctors are trained." aims to find medical treatments for diagnosed symptoms and syndromes of mental ill health based on assumptions of Kraepelen.
Kraepelin identified three major severe psychiatric disorders; dementia praecox, later renamed schizophrenia, by Bleuler (1857-1939). Manic depression, which covers all mood disorders, and paranoia, which basis the diagnosis of patients under the label of delusional.
The transaction from the term witch to mental patient was not a difficult one and is well documented by sociologist, physiologists and feminist and is recognized widely to be the roots of female, stereotyping, stigmatization, incarceration and discrimination in society and is best illustrated by Ssaz’s (1971) the manufacture of madness and the Myth of mental and The myth of Mental illness (1960).
Szasz’s findings are supported by Shoman's. (1970) who utilized the labeling process as part of communication theory as a genetic theory of deviance and by Shoham and Rahav (1968) as an explority set of hypotheses to explain prostitution in authoritarian families.
The stigma premises as related to crime and deviance, operated on low levels. The first was related to the stigmatizing pressure of the community and the public at large on conflicted offenders to commit further crimes and deviations, and the second related to the internalization of tags of deviation, and badness as a raw material for the formation of negative ego-identity . In other words the first aspect related to the casualty of recidivism whereas the second was intended to explain the etiology of some types of delinquency, crime and deviance Shoham. Society and the absurd
The problem with medicine, Laing argues is that because the diagnosis of mental illness is based on the conduct or behavior of the patient, and not on pathology, the "diagnosis" contravenes standard medical procedure and therefore the medical model’s examinations and tests which are usually conducted after the diagnosis unlike with physical diseases and ailments which are diagnosed by evident pathology found during examinations and tests, mental illness is diagnosed by patient's conduct with only a hint of a pathology not cited at the time of diagnosis.
As the medical model approaches mental health issues from a traditional, scientific and biological medical prospective it has limitations which include a failure to appreciate the significance of internal experiences, lack of recognition of individuality and diversity, and lack of appreciation of the role of culture in mental health. It has also been suggested that by so doing the medical model actually contributes to, rather than elevates the problem by continuing to treat patients with mind altering drugs like chlorpromazine, Librium, Diazepam, Seroxat and other tranquilizer and Benzedrine varieties all which are often encompassed under the umbrella of anti-depressant drugs and used as anti- psychotic drug treatments over long periods which can cause side effects that in fact reflect symptoms commonly cited in the diagnosis of mental health issues such as memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, paranoia and lethargy. As the BBC’ panorama demonstrated when it investigated Seroxat. PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002
Freud (1856-1939), founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, revolutionized the approach to psychiatric medicine with his theories of the unconscious mind, involving the mechanism of repression; and his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship and also his ideas on dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Freud influenced not just psychiatric medicine but feminist theories, philosophy, and psychology. However, his theories remain controversial. Although Freud was an early champion of both sexual freedom and education for women some feminists have argued that at worst his views of women's sexual development set the progress of women in back decades. However others like feminist theorists like Nancy Chodorow, have suggested that psychoanalytic theory is essential in relation to the feminist projects and should be adapted by women to free it from of sexism.
In "Freudianism: The Misguided Feminism", Shulamith Firestone discusses how Freudianism is essentially accurate, with the exception of one crucial detail: everywhere that Freud wrote "penis", the word should be replaced with "power". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
THE SOCIOLPGICAL PROSPECTIVE
The deviant label has historically been as synonymous with mental health diagnosis as it has been with woman. “Deviant behavior” the term used as the behavior of the mental health patient deviates from the accepted norm of the cultural and societal rules laid down by the hierarchy of those making the diagnosis. Usually men. Social class will also be a contributing factor. Historically British society’s hierarchies and rule makers have traditionally belonged to upper and middle classes and are predominantly white Christian males.
It is also notable that often the deviant/ mentally ill label may be applied to someone without them ever having committed an act of deviance by there association with those labeled under the vast umbrella of deviant behaviors, as is explained by Becker in his The outsiders (1963).
Sociologist and feminist would agree that gender roles and stereotype linked to mental health issues have been the sole foundations of female discrimination since the dawn of creation. Martin Luther claimed the physical differences between men and woman demonstrated God’s plan for sexism. And stated that woman should stay at home and bear children as this was what they were made for, and if they should tier and die from this function it was no big deal as it was there purpose. Woman’s encicoplidia.
Political prospective
Effects Of Government Ideology And Policy
When considering government policy in the health and social care area it is important to understand the ideological belief which that policy is grounded on and how it can disadvantage certain groups within society while benefiting others.
Arguably the most influential political ideologies on the beginning of the welfare state in Britain as it is today are those attributed to the ideas of Fabianism. Fabians led by Sidney and Beatrice Webb, believed that socialism in Britain was compatible with institutions of the state and should be brought through parliamentary routes. They felt that government should promote the collective good umpiring between the demands of different interests, giving birth to ‘social administration’ which laid the foundations of today’s ‘social policy’
Fabians believed in the gradual social reform (‘inherent in the notion in gradual social change was the concept of the ethical socialism apparent in the writing theorist such as Tawney and Marshall. Within their writings was a notion of equality which emphasised self-esteem and dignity’) Alcock. Payne and Sullivan (2000, p30).
60’s social and sexual revolution
Since the social and sexual revolution of the 1960 the feminist movement has com along way in the work place and home, however, stereotyping and labeling resulting in and from, poor mental health, is still a predominant factor in the discrimination of woman in the workplace within the care sector despite anti-discriminatory legislation such as Equal Opportunities Act ( ), The Mental Health Act (1983), Nhs And Community Cat Act (1990), Criminal Justice Act 1991,
Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995, Crime and Disorder Act (1995), Care Standards Act 2000 and Health and Social Care Act 2001
It is argued by many feminist that even under these acts of legislation woman are still widely
Unprotected and discriminated against by law and this is supported by government figures that reflect inequalities and inadequacies of Health and welfare in Britain.
Statistically evidence
Mental health/depression
Women are more likely to be treated for mental health issues than men (29% compared to 17%). it is suggested this is because when asked, women are likely to report symptoms of common mental health problems.- Better Or Worse: A Longitudinal Study Of The Mental Health Of Adults In Great Britain, National Statistics (2003)
Depression is more common in women than men. 1 in 4 women require treatment for depression at some time in there life’s, compared to 1 in 10 men It has also been suggested that depression in men may have been under diagnosed because they present to their GP with different symptoms. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003)
Women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. Of people with phobias or OCD, about 60% are female. - The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Men are more likely than women to have an alcohol or drug problem. 67% of British people who consume alcohol at ‘hazardous’ levels, and 80% of those dependent on alcohol are male. Almost three quarters of people dependent on cannabis and 69% of those dependent on other illegal drugs are male. - The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
One in four unemployed people has a common mental health problem- The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
1 in 5 older people living in the community and 2 in 5 living in care homes. are affected by Depression - Adults In Later Life with Mental Health Problems, Mental Health Foundation quoting Psychiatry in the Elderly (3rd edition) Oxford University Press (2002)
Dementia affects 5% of people over the age of 65 and 20% of those over 80.
Approximately 700,000 people in the UK have dementia (1.2% of the population) at any one time. - National Institute For Clinical Excellence (2004)
Discrimination/ victimisation
Education
A 2003 study found that less than half of young pregnant women and young mothers were able to access a full curriculum.
60% of teenage mothers had no qualifications by their early 20s compared with 25% of women who had become mothers after their teenage years.
In 2006, female graduates earned, on average, 15% less than their male counterparts at the age of 24, with this gender pay gap widening with age (increasing to 40.5% for women graduates aged 41-45) which suggests that If graduate debt rises to £26,000 (which is likely with ‘top-up3 fees) this would suggest a woman earning £36,000 with two children, 19 years to pay back her student loan. In contrast, a man earning the same salary would take 15 years to repay this debt.
In 2002 women were under-represented in management positions in schools, only 31% of secondary heads are female.
Approximately 1,000 women per year in England and Wales take legal action resulting from dismissal due to pregnancy. This is only 3% of all women experiencing discrimination at work when pregnant according to figures from 2003.
The average award for injury in sex discrimination cases involving pregnancy related dismissal is £2,000 lower than in non-pregnancy related dismissal cases.
One in five women returning from maternity leave are given lower grade jobs
The gender pay gap in the UK is one of the highest in Europe: women working full-time earn17% less per hour than men and women working part-time earn 39% less per hour than men working full-time.
About 30,000 women in the UK leave their jobs each year because of pregnancy discrimination
Women in full-time employment spend nearly 30% more time on childcare every day than men in full-time employment. http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women in the UK. Every 60 seconds. According to Telford and Wrekin councils community living web page, Woman as victims)
In comparison “The figures on the extent of violence against men vary; the 2001/02 British Crime Survey (BCS) found that 19% of domestic violence incidents reported were male victims and just under half of these were by a female perpetrator”.
The cost of Domestic abuse is outlined by Baker, I (2007) in his report no blame no shame, (2002 – 2007 ) is that there were 1827 incidents of domestic violence reported to the police from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003, which was an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period from previous years
The statistics suggest that for every 1000 women 250 will experience Domestic abuse within their life time in comparison to1000 men, 166 will experience Domestic abuse.
Prostitution has a female to male ratio of 4 to 174% of female prostitutes cited poverty, supporting children and household expenses, as a primary motivator for
Girls and young women are t twice as likely to be on the child protection register for sexual abuse as boys and young men.
It is estimated that 100,000 young people under 16 run away from home or care each year. Children in care are more likely to abscond, with girls being twice as likely to run away as boys.
Despite the fact that a criminal record can have life-long consequences for young women, the Government maintains there are “compelling arguments” for maintaining criminal offences for sex workers under 18 years.
It is estimated that 95% of women involved in prostitution have a drug or alcohol addiction. Most teenage prostitutes are involved in street prostitution, estimated to be 10 times more dangerous than working indoors. http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
Mental health related issues are probably the most commonly used methods in the continual suppression and discrimination of woman.
However these facts clearly reflect that not only is there a need for societal changes in regard to these issues but that given these factors it surely indicates that there is justifiable reason for women to be concerned, angry, and unsatisfied with these inequalities and inadequacies within the health and welfare sector, as well as justifiable cause to be depressed irrespective of the prospective of the hierarchy be they religious, medical / physiological / physical, legal/political or societal / class / environment/demography.
Thompson (1993) argues that the 60’s was significant in a number of ways.
First, feminist thought gained recognition as a “liberation movement”. Issues of equality of rights and equal opportunity became firmly established in the political agenda and issues surrounding the oppression of ethnic minorities and racial discrimination achieved more prominence politically in the mass media. He also notes the tendency towards the raising of consciousness inspired by both the drug culture and political; radicalism, a time ‘of idealism and anti-establishment challenge of the status quo’1993: 3. Lago, c. and smith, b. (2003) anti-discriminatory counseling practice. London; Sage publications.
The influences of Americas ‘third force’ theories and ideals from Maslow (1908-1970), and Rogers (1902-1987). And writing of Lang, R.D. (1965) The Divided self. Harmondsworth. Penguin. paved the way towards the humanist and holistic approach we now strive to apply in health and social care and has got to be recognised as playing an influential role in the feminist movements cause and heralded an attitude that has got to be recognised as benefiting woman in relation to health and social welfare in treatment of woman in work and social equality but it is also fair to suggest that it hasn’t done enough and still has a long way to go. As statistics continue to reflect that woman are still widely discriminated against within the health and welfare sector as a whole.
In conclusion
As a woman my own experiences within the care sector as patient, student and employee have taught me that the impact of socially constructed ideas in relation to the gender debate have greatly affected and influenced my own work ethic as well as my personal development morally and ethically and has its roots firmly planted in the holistic, humanist and existentialist philosophy.
Undeniably my believes have been moulded by the various treatment and therapies I have received as a mental health patient under various diagnosed labels applied to me as both mental health patient and woman, based on various assumptions by various members of the care profession that I have encountered in various sectors that on reflection and personal research has indicated was miss or badly/ wrongly diagnosed labelling that reflected stereotypical ideas on my behaviours.
It is also undeniable that these miss diagnoses were as a direct result of societal issues that I now understand to be related to the secret deviant behaviour as described by Beker, H. (1963 ) that was a direct result of negative stereotyping and labelling.
Coupled with this my experiences within the care industry working in the residential sector with children with behavioural and emotional issues resulting from societal influences and with elderly clients predominately female clients in community care roles I have witnessed and experienced discrimination that has resulted directly from physiological issues that have resulted from sociological factors suggesting that the only way to make any headway in irradiating the mental health issues, in relation to inequalities and discrimination, not just towards woman but in society as a whole is to address the socially constructed stereotyping agenda although, it could also be suggested that this will only ever be achieved if the men of society adapt a more feminist prospective.
References
Abbot and Wallace (1990)
Adults In Later Life with Mental Health Problems, Mental Health Foundation quoting Psychiatry in the Elderly (3rd edition) Oxford University Press (2002)
Alcock. Payne and Sullivan (2000, p30).
Baker, I (2007) blame no shame, (2002 – 2007 )
Beker, H. (1963). Outsiders. Free Press
Better Or Worse: A Longitudinal Study Of The Mental Health Of Adults In Great Britain,
The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Bleuler (1857-1939).Bracha L. Ettinger
Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995
Care Standards Act 2000
Charcot (1825-1893) and capelin (1856-1926).
Criminal Justice Act 1991
Crime and Disorder Act (1995)
David Cooper (1971) in his Death of the family
Human Rights act (1998)
Health and Social Care Act 2001
Kraepelen.
R D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) ,R.D.(1971)The Politics of the Family, Tavistock
Lang, R.D. (1965) The Divided self. Harmondsworth. Penguin.
. Luce Irigaray
Maslow (1908-1970), and Rogers (1902-1987
Madness and morals Joseph Berke(ed.)
Mitchell, J. & Oakley, A. (1976) The Right And Wrongs Of Woman
Morton Schatzman
Nancy Chodorow
National Statistics (2003)
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003)
Nhs And Community Cat Act (1990)
PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002.
SEX OFFENDERS ACT 2003
National Institute For Clinical Excellence (2004)
Scheff,T.J.(1966),Being Mentally Ill; A Sociological Theory, Weidenfeild & Nicolson
Shoman's. (1970)
Shoham and Rahav (1968).
Shoham Society and the absurd(1974) Basil Blackwell .oxford
Shulamith Firestone.( 1945)"Freudianism: The Misguided Feminism",
Szasz,T.S (1960) The myth of mental illness
Szasz,T.S (1971).The manufacture of madness, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.
Tawney and Marshall.
The Mental Health Act (1983),
The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
Telford and Wrekin councils community living web page, Woman as victims)
2001/02 British Crime Survey (BCS)
Thompson (1993) quo’1993: 3. Lago, c. and smith, b. (2003) anti-discriminatory counseling practice. London; Sage publications.
Walker, B. (1983) The woman’s encyclopaedia of Myths and secrets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
http://www.whywomen.org.uk/Downloads/Statistics.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_model`
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2310197.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
this is a letter i sent by email to the prime minister, needlessto say to date i have recieved no reply , .... personally i feel this is BAD manners , AND AS UK NATIONAL AND VOTER BAD POLICY ON HIS PART.
EAR MR BROWN GORDEN BROWN ,
It is with great sadness that I find myself in a position to be writing a letter to the prime minister of my country to complain about his governmental departments failings to comply with his own party’s and previous government legacys regarding the welfare state and my own experiences over the last 10 years, primeraly, however I have effidency that suggests that it goes back further, where I feel my human rights as and individual have been abused by various governmental and public department working under his parties policies and procedures as in accordance various acts of law.
I understand that when considering government policy in the health and social care area it is important to understand the ideological belief which that policy is grounded on and how it can disadvantage certain groups in society while benefiting others.
The founding principles of the welfare state in Britain are widly agreed to haveing there beginnings with the poor law 1598.
I am stunned to think that recent experience along with study for my foundation degree in health and social welfare has taught me that dispite the fact that we now in 2008 almost 2009 many people in this country , 1.4 of the population I believe according to your goverments statistics appear to be receiving treatment that clearly reflects the Poor law one state system intended to relieve poverty wither it was caused by illness, old age or unemployment.
AS I am sure you are aware the poor law was reformed in the 1834 act offering two kinds of relief indoor and out door. Outdoor relief was provided to those considered deserving, the old the poor the disabled however the “undeserving poor” the unmarried mothers and those deemed immoral and unworthy entered the workhouse and were obliged to earn their relief. ( the open university October 2006)
This led to the poor and disadvantaged of society being exploited and abused by those controlling industry and commerce. Those on indoor relieve were still in such states of poverty that they were forsed to turn to crime and prostitution and further acts of immorality as considered by there so called betters/ supiriors within the middle class hierarchy and landed gentry. Sadly Mr Brown your government and those preceeding you have not come very far in changing that although you may dress it up better these days
It wasn’t till 1848 that the public health act came about and introduced provisions to set up local boards of health and the appointment of medical officers of health. Which again I believe reflects present unitary departments and local government offices within the health and welfare and having been sevice user, employee and student I can tell you without fear of contradiction your failing to provide adequate services and care for the masses and you should hang your head in shame.
In your parties 1978 manifesto it states that “New labour is a party of ideas and ideals but not outdated ideaology” however Mr Brown I think evidance would suggest contary and not only that but that the ideaology being followed is a conservative one and not socialist or fabian or for that matter anything else I have found.
I would now like to explain my own case to you in some detail as I believe it is relevant to the action a I plan to take but before that I have included the following statement which I have already posted on the internet.
At 46 with little formal education having left school with 4 Scottish o’ level passes and a higher from many moons past. I decided to take up the government’s offer of further education and began a foundation degree in health and social welfare from Wolverhampton University that my local collage TCAT was doing.
It was a decision made resulting from finding that the area of employment I was interested in both from a personal and career prospective geared, on the higher levels towards those with a university
Or higher academic background and since the shift patterns that these jobs insisted on it was only at managerial levels that I would be able to fit the shift patterns to fit my personal circumstances as a single parent with two sons. One who alleged has learning difficulties according to education authorities. And undeniably has behavioural issues resulting from social issues I have inflicted.
Therefore I felt that the sensible thing to do was get myself the necessary qualifications to be able to get a decent job that would adequately provide for myself and my three children’s future security.
On 20th September 20006 I started my course and informed what I believed was all the relevant local and government agencies as to my change in circumstances. & Wrekin Housing trust, from whom I have rented my house for 8 years ( formally Telford and Wrekin council), the DHSS, The JOB centre, The department of work and pensions, and the NHS, I had previously been on incapacity benefit for the two years proceeding my decision resulting from alleged severe clinical depression. And local education department because my change in circumstances obviously affects my children’s entitlement to free school meals EMA grants etc.
I loved the course and found it enlightening and very interesting and realised so much about the effects of government policy on all of us however I had no idea just how all of this would affect my own life given that my soul purpose for beginning the course was to improve my long term financial security for myself and children.
Everything seemed to going fine and I was managing, I believed to be finally starting to get my finances under some kind of control.
To cut a long story short, as a result of the way my grants were paid into my account as it got close to the new payment being received there was generally a period of struggle however given that I knew when amounts would be paid when these period were coming round and I knew I would be late with payments for rent etc I contacted my local housing shop and informed them when payment would be made however this was never acceptable and despite prove being show and alleged empathy with my situation I was informed on each occasion that policy dictated I would be taken to court and was threatened with eviction on each occasion which as you may imagine added additional stress and worry, not to mention the £ 250 court costs that I had to pay each time on top of the arrears I was paying in full each time anyway.
These court cost have in the 2 years since commencing university amounted to in the region of £1670 my grants, my income is made up of student loans and grants amounting to £10244.00 and I pay full rent of £380 a month as I am not entitled to benefit assistance according to the relevant agencies who make these decisions as my circumstances don’t fit the criteria based on my income. I have when possible tried to supplement my income with part time work however this has not generally helped or worked out as I would have liked.
On the 28 July 2008 I appeared at court and read the following statement to the judge.
I have been advised by everyone I know to keep my mouth shut and let someone else speak for me today as a result of the language I use a I could be deemed in contempt of court and sentenced to 28 days in prison.
However my mother taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe is right.
I would like to ask the court to refer my case to the high court and counter claim against Telford & Wrekin Council and the burocrasy it represents as in accordance with THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 and as affective from 2000 which is intended to protect individuals from abuse by any public body including local authorities, police, and government departments.
I cite;
The data protection act 1998
The mental health act 1983
The child protection act 1998
The chronically sick and disabled persons act 1970
And the NHS7 Care in the community act 1090
And I shall provide government statistics and polices to support my claim/ allegations, which I have with me today.
I was informed by the judge that I had a valid case and right to have it heard. He advised me to seek legal representation and advise to file this case independently thought the courts, as he had to deal with the present case as presented at the time. He also advised me that I was entitled to legal aid as a student and as at the time between courses I was in fact registered as unemployed and had not decided as to whither or not take up the third year option on my course to up grade to a BA honours degree in social care and social policy as a result of the problems my last to years have caused financially.
Since then I have contacted several lawyers, councillors, the CAB and the law society to try and find representation however as soon as I explain what I want help with and why I am told they don’t deal with these types of cases the law society has yet to acknowledge my email.
I have even tried contacting the press to no avail.
I have now received on the 7th October 2008 notification from Telford and Wrekin council that I am in arrears again, despite the fact that I have for the period they are claiming been in receipt of housing benefit.
As I have an outstanding balance of £141.42 AND will again be liable to pay court costs of £230.
I have also contacted several press and media sources in hope of some advise before trying to file my counter claim myself however no one ones to know.
With this in mind I shall now post this on the internet and wherever else I feel someone who may be able to advise me as to what someone has to do to receive justice in the U.K.
I will now try to explain as briefly as possible what has brought me to this point since 1997 when I came to England to live and could be suggested are at the root of my present position and reasons for my complaint against you government departments and other relevant bodies acting on there behalf.
In 1998 after the break up of my marrage resulting from adultery and a 11 week stay on a mental health ward with depression and the death of my mother in November 1997 I moved to Wolverhampton to make a fresh start for myself and three children .
I stayed for 12 month in Wolverhampton during which time I worked part time in a nursing home and then as a full-time residential support worker for children within the care sector with behavioural, sexual, emotional and mental health problems. However working within this sector was particularly problematic as it called for 24/48 hour shifts with sleep-in duties and with three children under 16 childcare was particularly difficult to find and I did not fit criteria for financial assistance that made it possible for me to continue with the job as my children were also coping with the affects of the marrage break up , death of there gran and move from Scotland and there familiar surroundings for which I accept full responsibility . Delails of my situation were highlighted in an article titled flexible friends, in Nursery world 19 august 1999 ,which explained how the new tax laws affected people in my situation and related my story.
In late 1999 I moved to Telford to a privately rented accommodation and 12 moths later became a telford and Wrekin housing trust tennent at my present address.
From then till 2006 although I had had several issues with payment and arrears resulting from various changes in circumstances I have always made every effort to maintain my rent and bills and keep to agreements made for payments but as a result of these various changes involving employment , changes and relationship changes resulting from a 18 moth relationship and the local housing office were always aware of what my personal and financial circumstances were.
After the break up of my relationship in 2004 I again suffered from depression, the relationship had been problematic as my partner was an violent and abusive alcoholic and of course this affected my children also and again I accept responsibility for this. However after much reflection and self analyisis not to mention therepy and counciling I felt able and in a position to return to work however I felt that as my career path and goals required more qualifications I decided to go to university and obtain the qualifications that would put me in a better position to provide the future security I wished for my children and the abblity to but my home which I discussed with my local housing officer jill nocols .
I also feel that it is relevant that my home is a terraced house and the only one on my block that remains a trust property and I estimate the present value to be around £120000 . I think this is relevant in as much as I live in and area with high multiple deprevation scores. Hadly /Leegomery scores 34.6 with a ranking of 1524 out of 8414 on the national IMD.There are 1553 people on low incomes ranking 12 in Telford and Wrekin and at 27.2% ranks higher than nationally which is 25%.
Employment deprevation is 11..4% with a national ranking of 2700 and national percentile banding of 35%. Health and disability deprevation scores are 0.78 with rank 12 in Telford and Wrekin and 20% national percentile band.
However dispite these facts Hadley is regarded as a growing area as was boasted by the principle of the 70 million pound super school Hadley learning community, Dr Etov, who at a recent parish council meeting announced that they had been approached by telford and wrekin council to further expand the primary school dispite the fact that my son informs my the school which as only been open 2 years is not in fact functioning too it full capacity and that the top floors are not used. The area is also seeing the development of several housing estates built for telford and Wrekin council by private developers and rented out or sold through telford and Wrekin housing trust. Formally telford and Wrekin council although now apparently according to the information I have been told nothing to do with the council not connected to and an independent body from the council with no internal link which I suggest /acuse is a outright lie and misrepresentation of the facts and I believe I have documentation which supports this.
EAR MR BROWN GORDEN BROWN ,
It is with great sadness that I find myself in a position to be writing a letter to the prime minister of my country to complain about his governmental departments failings to comply with his own party’s and previous government legacys regarding the welfare state and my own experiences over the last 10 years, primeraly, however I have effidency that suggests that it goes back further, where I feel my human rights as and individual have been abused by various governmental and public department working under his parties policies and procedures as in accordance various acts of law.
I understand that when considering government policy in the health and social care area it is important to understand the ideological belief which that policy is grounded on and how it can disadvantage certain groups in society while benefiting others.
The founding principles of the welfare state in Britain are widly agreed to haveing there beginnings with the poor law 1598.
I am stunned to think that recent experience along with study for my foundation degree in health and social welfare has taught me that dispite the fact that we now in 2008 almost 2009 many people in this country , 1.4 of the population I believe according to your goverments statistics appear to be receiving treatment that clearly reflects the Poor law one state system intended to relieve poverty wither it was caused by illness, old age or unemployment.
AS I am sure you are aware the poor law was reformed in the 1834 act offering two kinds of relief indoor and out door. Outdoor relief was provided to those considered deserving, the old the poor the disabled however the “undeserving poor” the unmarried mothers and those deemed immoral and unworthy entered the workhouse and were obliged to earn their relief. ( the open university October 2006)
This led to the poor and disadvantaged of society being exploited and abused by those controlling industry and commerce. Those on indoor relieve were still in such states of poverty that they were forsed to turn to crime and prostitution and further acts of immorality as considered by there so called betters/ supiriors within the middle class hierarchy and landed gentry. Sadly Mr Brown your government and those preceeding you have not come very far in changing that although you may dress it up better these days
It wasn’t till 1848 that the public health act came about and introduced provisions to set up local boards of health and the appointment of medical officers of health. Which again I believe reflects present unitary departments and local government offices within the health and welfare and having been sevice user, employee and student I can tell you without fear of contradiction your failing to provide adequate services and care for the masses and you should hang your head in shame.
In your parties 1978 manifesto it states that “New labour is a party of ideas and ideals but not outdated ideaology” however Mr Brown I think evidance would suggest contary and not only that but that the ideaology being followed is a conservative one and not socialist or fabian or for that matter anything else I have found.
I would now like to explain my own case to you in some detail as I believe it is relevant to the action a I plan to take but before that I have included the following statement which I have already posted on the internet.
At 46 with little formal education having left school with 4 Scottish o’ level passes and a higher from many moons past. I decided to take up the government’s offer of further education and began a foundation degree in health and social welfare from Wolverhampton University that my local collage TCAT was doing.
It was a decision made resulting from finding that the area of employment I was interested in both from a personal and career prospective geared, on the higher levels towards those with a university
Or higher academic background and since the shift patterns that these jobs insisted on it was only at managerial levels that I would be able to fit the shift patterns to fit my personal circumstances as a single parent with two sons. One who alleged has learning difficulties according to education authorities. And undeniably has behavioural issues resulting from social issues I have inflicted.
Therefore I felt that the sensible thing to do was get myself the necessary qualifications to be able to get a decent job that would adequately provide for myself and my three children’s future security.
On 20th September 20006 I started my course and informed what I believed was all the relevant local and government agencies as to my change in circumstances. & Wrekin Housing trust, from whom I have rented my house for 8 years ( formally Telford and Wrekin council), the DHSS, The JOB centre, The department of work and pensions, and the NHS, I had previously been on incapacity benefit for the two years proceeding my decision resulting from alleged severe clinical depression. And local education department because my change in circumstances obviously affects my children’s entitlement to free school meals EMA grants etc.
I loved the course and found it enlightening and very interesting and realised so much about the effects of government policy on all of us however I had no idea just how all of this would affect my own life given that my soul purpose for beginning the course was to improve my long term financial security for myself and children.
Everything seemed to going fine and I was managing, I believed to be finally starting to get my finances under some kind of control.
To cut a long story short, as a result of the way my grants were paid into my account as it got close to the new payment being received there was generally a period of struggle however given that I knew when amounts would be paid when these period were coming round and I knew I would be late with payments for rent etc I contacted my local housing shop and informed them when payment would be made however this was never acceptable and despite prove being show and alleged empathy with my situation I was informed on each occasion that policy dictated I would be taken to court and was threatened with eviction on each occasion which as you may imagine added additional stress and worry, not to mention the £ 250 court costs that I had to pay each time on top of the arrears I was paying in full each time anyway.
These court cost have in the 2 years since commencing university amounted to in the region of £1670 my grants, my income is made up of student loans and grants amounting to £10244.00 and I pay full rent of £380 a month as I am not entitled to benefit assistance according to the relevant agencies who make these decisions as my circumstances don’t fit the criteria based on my income. I have when possible tried to supplement my income with part time work however this has not generally helped or worked out as I would have liked.
On the 28 July 2008 I appeared at court and read the following statement to the judge.
I have been advised by everyone I know to keep my mouth shut and let someone else speak for me today as a result of the language I use a I could be deemed in contempt of court and sentenced to 28 days in prison.
However my mother taught me to stand up for myself and what I believe is right.
I would like to ask the court to refer my case to the high court and counter claim against Telford & Wrekin Council and the burocrasy it represents as in accordance with THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 and as affective from 2000 which is intended to protect individuals from abuse by any public body including local authorities, police, and government departments.
I cite;
The data protection act 1998
The mental health act 1983
The child protection act 1998
The chronically sick and disabled persons act 1970
And the NHS7 Care in the community act 1090
And I shall provide government statistics and polices to support my claim/ allegations, which I have with me today.
I was informed by the judge that I had a valid case and right to have it heard. He advised me to seek legal representation and advise to file this case independently thought the courts, as he had to deal with the present case as presented at the time. He also advised me that I was entitled to legal aid as a student and as at the time between courses I was in fact registered as unemployed and had not decided as to whither or not take up the third year option on my course to up grade to a BA honours degree in social care and social policy as a result of the problems my last to years have caused financially.
Since then I have contacted several lawyers, councillors, the CAB and the law society to try and find representation however as soon as I explain what I want help with and why I am told they don’t deal with these types of cases the law society has yet to acknowledge my email.
I have even tried contacting the press to no avail.
I have now received on the 7th October 2008 notification from Telford and Wrekin council that I am in arrears again, despite the fact that I have for the period they are claiming been in receipt of housing benefit.
As I have an outstanding balance of £141.42 AND will again be liable to pay court costs of £230.
I have also contacted several press and media sources in hope of some advise before trying to file my counter claim myself however no one ones to know.
With this in mind I shall now post this on the internet and wherever else I feel someone who may be able to advise me as to what someone has to do to receive justice in the U.K.
I will now try to explain as briefly as possible what has brought me to this point since 1997 when I came to England to live and could be suggested are at the root of my present position and reasons for my complaint against you government departments and other relevant bodies acting on there behalf.
In 1998 after the break up of my marrage resulting from adultery and a 11 week stay on a mental health ward with depression and the death of my mother in November 1997 I moved to Wolverhampton to make a fresh start for myself and three children .
I stayed for 12 month in Wolverhampton during which time I worked part time in a nursing home and then as a full-time residential support worker for children within the care sector with behavioural, sexual, emotional and mental health problems. However working within this sector was particularly problematic as it called for 24/48 hour shifts with sleep-in duties and with three children under 16 childcare was particularly difficult to find and I did not fit criteria for financial assistance that made it possible for me to continue with the job as my children were also coping with the affects of the marrage break up , death of there gran and move from Scotland and there familiar surroundings for which I accept full responsibility . Delails of my situation were highlighted in an article titled flexible friends, in Nursery world 19 august 1999 ,which explained how the new tax laws affected people in my situation and related my story.
In late 1999 I moved to Telford to a privately rented accommodation and 12 moths later became a telford and Wrekin housing trust tennent at my present address.
From then till 2006 although I had had several issues with payment and arrears resulting from various changes in circumstances I have always made every effort to maintain my rent and bills and keep to agreements made for payments but as a result of these various changes involving employment , changes and relationship changes resulting from a 18 moth relationship and the local housing office were always aware of what my personal and financial circumstances were.
After the break up of my relationship in 2004 I again suffered from depression, the relationship had been problematic as my partner was an violent and abusive alcoholic and of course this affected my children also and again I accept responsibility for this. However after much reflection and self analyisis not to mention therepy and counciling I felt able and in a position to return to work however I felt that as my career path and goals required more qualifications I decided to go to university and obtain the qualifications that would put me in a better position to provide the future security I wished for my children and the abblity to but my home which I discussed with my local housing officer jill nocols .
I also feel that it is relevant that my home is a terraced house and the only one on my block that remains a trust property and I estimate the present value to be around £120000 . I think this is relevant in as much as I live in and area with high multiple deprevation scores. Hadly /Leegomery scores 34.6 with a ranking of 1524 out of 8414 on the national IMD.There are 1553 people on low incomes ranking 12 in Telford and Wrekin and at 27.2% ranks higher than nationally which is 25%.
Employment deprevation is 11..4% with a national ranking of 2700 and national percentile banding of 35%. Health and disability deprevation scores are 0.78 with rank 12 in Telford and Wrekin and 20% national percentile band.
However dispite these facts Hadley is regarded as a growing area as was boasted by the principle of the 70 million pound super school Hadley learning community, Dr Etov, who at a recent parish council meeting announced that they had been approached by telford and wrekin council to further expand the primary school dispite the fact that my son informs my the school which as only been open 2 years is not in fact functioning too it full capacity and that the top floors are not used. The area is also seeing the development of several housing estates built for telford and Wrekin council by private developers and rented out or sold through telford and Wrekin housing trust. Formally telford and Wrekin council although now apparently according to the information I have been told nothing to do with the council not connected to and an independent body from the council with no internal link which I suggest /acuse is a outright lie and misrepresentation of the facts and I believe I have documentation which supports this.
There is reason to believe that a society which sees people as 'mentally ill', call's them 'mentally ill', and treats them as 'mentally ill' aggravates by those acts the condition which it calls 'mental illness'.(Sheff,1966).
When considering how factors beyond the individual influence those deemed to have mental illness it is first necessary to determine what mental illness is and this has long been the subject of debate amongst the medical /psychiatric, scientific, religious, legal and political hierarchy. It is therefore important that popular moral, ethical and cultural influences of those in power at the time be taken into account.
The original definition of madness which dates back to the 17th century, as the condition which justifies confinement in the asylum, is accurately demonstrated by Szasz,
“To be considered mad, it was enough to be abandoned, destitute, poor, unwanted by parents or society” and continues by reflecting how such incarceration were not necessarily in the best interest of those being diagnosed and incarcerated,
“this action was to be taken on the complaint of parents, or, if these were dead, of near relatives, or the parish priest. The wayward children were kept as long as the directors deemed wise and were to be released only on written order by four directors. (The manufacture of madness, 1971).
This would therefore suggest that “madness” was in fact a societal issue rather than a purely medical one.
In British society today the medical/scientific model remains the dominant prospective. This model however has its roots firmly planted in the past regarding mental illness generally as a biological, genetic or chemical mal-function in the individual and continues to follow in the traditions of the pioneers of psychiatric medicine such as Charcot (1825-1893) and keaepelen (1856-1926). Whose primary focus was neurology.
Charcot often regarded as the grandfather of modern psychiatry believed .that hysteria (madness) was a neurological disorder caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system, however it could be argued that his most important contribution to psychiatry was that he defined hysteria (madness) as an illness rather than a mode of malingering which at the time was a popular label attached to suffers of mental health issues. Charcot used hypnosis to induce a state of hysteria and studied the results, and was accredited with changing the medical community's opinion about the validity of hypnosis.
The medical model the term, (cited by Ronald D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) as the "set of procedures in which all doctors are trained." aims to find medical treatments for diagnosed symptoms and syndromes of mental ill health which are based on assumption that date back to Kraepelen.
Kraepelin identified three major severe psychiatric disorders; dementia praecox, later renamed schizophrenia, by Bleuler (1857-1939). Manic depression, which covers all mood disorders, and paranoia, which basis the diagnosis of patients under the label of delusional.
Kraepelin’s theories dominated psychiatry at the beginning of the 20th century and he opposed the approach of Sigmund Freud, who regarded and treated psychiatric disorders as caused by psychological factors.
The problem with the medical model as Laing argues is that because the diagnosis of mental illness is based on the conduct or behavior of the patient, and not pathology, the "diagnosis" contravenes standard medical procedure and hence the medical model’s examinations and tests which are usually conducted after the diagnosis unlike with physical diseases and ailments which are diagnosed by evident pathology found during examinations and tests, mental illness is diagnosed by patient's conduct with only a hint of a pathology not cited at the time of diagnosis.
As the medical model approaches mental health issues from a traditionally historical, scientific and biological medical prospective it has limitations which include a failure to appreciate the significance of internal experiences, lack of recognition of individuality and diversity, and lack of appreciation of the role of culture in mental health. It has also been suggested that by so doing the medical model actually contributes to, rather than elevates the problem by continuing to treat patients with mind altering drugs such as chlorpromazine, Librium, diazepam and other members of the tranquilizer and Benzedrine varieties all of which are often encompassed under the umbrella of anti-psychotic drug therapies over long periods which cause side effects which in fact reflect symptoms commonly cited in the diagnosis of mental health issues such as memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, paranoia and lethargy. Furthermore in the treatment of what is regarded as severe long term mental ill health, it is still the practice of many psychiatric practitioners to inflict barbaric treatments such as electric shock treatment on mental health patients.
It is widely regarded that former charcot student Freud (1856-1939), founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, revolutionized the approach to psychiatric medicine with his theories of the unconscious mind, involving the mechanism of repression; and his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship and also his ideas on dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Hailed as "the father of psychoanalysis”, Freud influenced not just psychiatric medicine but feminist theories, philosophy, and psychology. However, his theories remain controversial.
Like his mentor Charcot, Freud experimented with hypnosis on his neurotic patients, but abandoned this form of treatment, in favor of treatment where patients talked through their problems. This became known as the "talking cure" which is widely recognized as the basis of psychoanalysis. This view it could be suggested saw the beginning of a more holistic approach to mental health and widened the modes of practice used to diagnose mental ill health by incorporating physiological and sociological influences.
Freud developed a theory of how the human mind is organized and operates, and how human behavior both conditions and results from this particular theoretical understanding. Freud’s biggest contribution to psychiatry was his argument for the existence of an unconscious mind. This suggested that people could discover repressed thoughts about themselves and their environment and controls them; Freud believed that we are not completely aware of all our thoughts and sometimes react in ways unrelated to conscious thoughts. Freudian psychoanalysis was to bring repressed thoughts and feelings from the unconscious mind to the conscious realm, by encouraging patients to talk in free association. His early work can be linked to Joseph Breuer Who he credited with the discovery of the psychoanalytical method. Freud used a form of treatment based on that developed by Breuer which he modified and called "pressure technique". His findings from this suggested that many of his patients were victims of childhood sexual abuse. .
In Freud's opinion, reasoning occurs in the conscious mind the ego, the mind also contains the hidden, irrational elements of id and superego, which lie outside conscious control driving behavior and motivating conscious activities, resulting in these structures bringing into question human ability to act purely on the basis of reason. Since hidden motives are also always at play. This model of the mind makes rationality suspect, motivated by hidden urges or societal forces e.g. defense mechanisms, where reasoning becomes "rationalizing" reflecting some of the theories encompassed under physiological and sociological mental health models.
Freud was criticized throughout his career for his theories of the unconscious mind and dream analysis since unlike with the medical model his conclusions where not based on matter or the physical aspects of health and his theories were at times seen to be delving into what has come to be regarded as suedo- psychiatry and mysticism, he was also accused of being obsessed with theories related to sexual deviance however given the strict moral structure of western culture of the time most mental health diagnoses deemed mental health patients to be guilty of some form of sexual deviance as Thomas Szasz illustrates (the myth of mental health(1962) the manufacture of maddness1971)
The deviant label has historically been synonymous with mental health diagnosis as the behavior of the mental health patient deviates from the accepted norm of the cultural and societal rules laid down by the hierarchy of those making the diagnosis. However it has long been recognized within the sociology camp that certain groups of people are more likely to be labeled thus e.g. woman, black people (men in particular), homosexuals. Social class will also be a contributing factor. Historically British societies rule makers and hierarchies have traditionally belonged to the upper and middle classes and are notably predominantly white Christian males.
It is also notable that often the deviant/ mentally ill label may be applied to someone without them ever having committed an act of deviance by there association with those labeled under the vast umbrella of deviant behaviors, as is explained by Becker in his (the outsiders (1963)).
.
. (Sheff, 1966).
(The manufacture of madness, 1971).
Ronald D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays
(the myth of mental health, )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_model`
(the outsiders(1963)).
When considering how factors beyond the individual influence those deemed to have mental illness it is first necessary to determine what mental illness is and this has long been the subject of debate amongst the medical /psychiatric, scientific, religious, legal and political hierarchy. It is therefore important that popular moral, ethical and cultural influences of those in power at the time be taken into account.
The original definition of madness which dates back to the 17th century, as the condition which justifies confinement in the asylum, is accurately demonstrated by Szasz,
“To be considered mad, it was enough to be abandoned, destitute, poor, unwanted by parents or society” and continues by reflecting how such incarceration were not necessarily in the best interest of those being diagnosed and incarcerated,
“this action was to be taken on the complaint of parents, or, if these were dead, of near relatives, or the parish priest. The wayward children were kept as long as the directors deemed wise and were to be released only on written order by four directors. (The manufacture of madness, 1971).
This would therefore suggest that “madness” was in fact a societal issue rather than a purely medical one.
In British society today the medical/scientific model remains the dominant prospective. This model however has its roots firmly planted in the past regarding mental illness generally as a biological, genetic or chemical mal-function in the individual and continues to follow in the traditions of the pioneers of psychiatric medicine such as Charcot (1825-1893) and keaepelen (1856-1926). Whose primary focus was neurology.
Charcot often regarded as the grandfather of modern psychiatry believed .that hysteria (madness) was a neurological disorder caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system, however it could be argued that his most important contribution to psychiatry was that he defined hysteria (madness) as an illness rather than a mode of malingering which at the time was a popular label attached to suffers of mental health issues. Charcot used hypnosis to induce a state of hysteria and studied the results, and was accredited with changing the medical community's opinion about the validity of hypnosis.
The medical model the term, (cited by Ronald D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) as the "set of procedures in which all doctors are trained." aims to find medical treatments for diagnosed symptoms and syndromes of mental ill health which are based on assumption that date back to Kraepelen.
Kraepelin identified three major severe psychiatric disorders; dementia praecox, later renamed schizophrenia, by Bleuler (1857-1939). Manic depression, which covers all mood disorders, and paranoia, which basis the diagnosis of patients under the label of delusional.
Kraepelin’s theories dominated psychiatry at the beginning of the 20th century and he opposed the approach of Sigmund Freud, who regarded and treated psychiatric disorders as caused by psychological factors.
The problem with the medical model as Laing argues is that because the diagnosis of mental illness is based on the conduct or behavior of the patient, and not pathology, the "diagnosis" contravenes standard medical procedure and hence the medical model’s examinations and tests which are usually conducted after the diagnosis unlike with physical diseases and ailments which are diagnosed by evident pathology found during examinations and tests, mental illness is diagnosed by patient's conduct with only a hint of a pathology not cited at the time of diagnosis.
As the medical model approaches mental health issues from a traditionally historical, scientific and biological medical prospective it has limitations which include a failure to appreciate the significance of internal experiences, lack of recognition of individuality and diversity, and lack of appreciation of the role of culture in mental health. It has also been suggested that by so doing the medical model actually contributes to, rather than elevates the problem by continuing to treat patients with mind altering drugs such as chlorpromazine, Librium, diazepam and other members of the tranquilizer and Benzedrine varieties all of which are often encompassed under the umbrella of anti-psychotic drug therapies over long periods which cause side effects which in fact reflect symptoms commonly cited in the diagnosis of mental health issues such as memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, paranoia and lethargy. Furthermore in the treatment of what is regarded as severe long term mental ill health, it is still the practice of many psychiatric practitioners to inflict barbaric treatments such as electric shock treatment on mental health patients.
It is widely regarded that former charcot student Freud (1856-1939), founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, revolutionized the approach to psychiatric medicine with his theories of the unconscious mind, involving the mechanism of repression; and his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship and also his ideas on dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Hailed as "the father of psychoanalysis”, Freud influenced not just psychiatric medicine but feminist theories, philosophy, and psychology. However, his theories remain controversial.
Like his mentor Charcot, Freud experimented with hypnosis on his neurotic patients, but abandoned this form of treatment, in favor of treatment where patients talked through their problems. This became known as the "talking cure" which is widely recognized as the basis of psychoanalysis. This view it could be suggested saw the beginning of a more holistic approach to mental health and widened the modes of practice used to diagnose mental ill health by incorporating physiological and sociological influences.
Freud developed a theory of how the human mind is organized and operates, and how human behavior both conditions and results from this particular theoretical understanding. Freud’s biggest contribution to psychiatry was his argument for the existence of an unconscious mind. This suggested that people could discover repressed thoughts about themselves and their environment and controls them; Freud believed that we are not completely aware of all our thoughts and sometimes react in ways unrelated to conscious thoughts. Freudian psychoanalysis was to bring repressed thoughts and feelings from the unconscious mind to the conscious realm, by encouraging patients to talk in free association. His early work can be linked to Joseph Breuer Who he credited with the discovery of the psychoanalytical method. Freud used a form of treatment based on that developed by Breuer which he modified and called "pressure technique". His findings from this suggested that many of his patients were victims of childhood sexual abuse. .
In Freud's opinion, reasoning occurs in the conscious mind the ego, the mind also contains the hidden, irrational elements of id and superego, which lie outside conscious control driving behavior and motivating conscious activities, resulting in these structures bringing into question human ability to act purely on the basis of reason. Since hidden motives are also always at play. This model of the mind makes rationality suspect, motivated by hidden urges or societal forces e.g. defense mechanisms, where reasoning becomes "rationalizing" reflecting some of the theories encompassed under physiological and sociological mental health models.
Freud was criticized throughout his career for his theories of the unconscious mind and dream analysis since unlike with the medical model his conclusions where not based on matter or the physical aspects of health and his theories were at times seen to be delving into what has come to be regarded as suedo- psychiatry and mysticism, he was also accused of being obsessed with theories related to sexual deviance however given the strict moral structure of western culture of the time most mental health diagnoses deemed mental health patients to be guilty of some form of sexual deviance as Thomas Szasz illustrates (the myth of mental health(1962) the manufacture of maddness1971)
The deviant label has historically been synonymous with mental health diagnosis as the behavior of the mental health patient deviates from the accepted norm of the cultural and societal rules laid down by the hierarchy of those making the diagnosis. However it has long been recognized within the sociology camp that certain groups of people are more likely to be labeled thus e.g. woman, black people (men in particular), homosexuals. Social class will also be a contributing factor. Historically British societies rule makers and hierarchies have traditionally belonged to the upper and middle classes and are notably predominantly white Christian males.
It is also notable that often the deviant/ mentally ill label may be applied to someone without them ever having committed an act of deviance by there association with those labeled under the vast umbrella of deviant behaviors, as is explained by Becker in his (the outsiders (1963)).
.
. (Sheff, 1966).
(The manufacture of madness, 1971).
Ronald D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays
(the myth of mental health, )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_model`
(the outsiders(1963)).
Discuss the extent to which emotional/mental health may be influenced by factors beyond the individual.
There is reason to believe that a society which sees people as 'mentally ill', call's them 'mentally ill', and treats them as 'mentally ill' aggravates by those acts the condition which it calls 'mental illness'.(Scheff,1966).
When considering how factors beyond the individual influence those deemed to have mental illness it is first necessary to determine what mental illness is and this has long been the subject of debate amongst the medical /psychiatric, scientific, religious, legal and political hierarchy. It is therefore important that popular moral, ethical and cultural influences of those in power at the time be taken into account, which itself could be considered proof.
The original definition of madness dates back to the 17th century, as the condition which justifies confinement in the asylum, is accurately demonstrated by Szasz,
“To be considered mad, it was enough to be abandoned, destitute, poor, unwanted by parents or society” and continues reflecting how such incarceration were not in the best interest of those being diagnosed and incarcerated,
“this action was to be taken on the complaint of parents, or, if these were dead, of near relatives, or the parish priest. The wayward children were kept as long as the directors deemed wise and were to be released only on written order by four directors. (The manufacture of madness, 1971).
This would therefore suggest that “madness” was in fact a societal issue rather than a purely medical one.
In British society today the medical/scientific model remains the dominant prospective. This model has its roots in the past regarding mental illness generally as a biological, genetic or chemical mal-function in the individual, and continues to follow in the traditions of Charcot (1825-1893) and keaepelen (1856-1926). Whose primary focus was neurology.
Charcot believed that hysteria (madness) was a neurological disorder caused by hereditary problems in the nervous system. It could be argued that his most important contribution to psychiatry was that he defined hysteria
(madness) as an illness rather than a mode of malingering a popular label attached to suffers of mental health issues. Charcot used hypnosis to induce a state of hysteria and studied the results, and was accredited with changing the medical community's opinion about the validity of hypnosis.
The medical model the term, (cited by R D. Laing in his The Politics of the Family and Other Essays) as the "set of procedures in which all doctors are trained." aims to find medical treatments for diagnosed symptoms and syndromes of mental ill health based on assumptions of Kraepelen.
Kraepelin identified three major severe psychiatric disorders; dementia praecox, later renamed schizophrenia, by Bleuler (1857-1939). Manic depression, which covers all mood disorders, and paranoia, which basis the diagnosis of patients under the label of delusional.
Kraepelin’s theories dominated psychiatry at the beginning of the 20th century and he opposed the approach of Sigmund Freud, who regarded and treated psychiatric disorders as caused by psychological factors within the individual that could be taken control of. The problem with the medical model as Laing argues is that because the diagnosis of mental illness is based on the conduct or behavior of the patient, and not on pathology, the
"diagnosis" contravenes standard medical procedure and therefore the medical model’s examinations and tests which are usually conducted after the diagnosis unlike with physical diseases and ailments which are diagnosed by evident pathology found during examinations and tests, mental illness is diagnosed by patient's conduct with only a hint of a pathology not cited at the time of diagnosis.
An example of this could be a teenager presenting with tiredness, poor appetite and weight loss, irritability and mood swings and the practitioner would follow medical pathways of enquiry e.g. thyroid, anemia, or chemical imbalances tests after addressing these lines of enquiry he may begin psychological and sociological lines of enquiry leading to a diagnoses of depression however the medical lines will have taken a lengthy period of possibly various drug treatments first. As the medical model approaches mental health issues from a traditional, scientific and biological medical prospective it has limitations which include a failure to appreciate the significance of internal experiences, lack of recognition of individuality and diversity, and lack of appreciation of the role of culture in mental health. It has also been suggested that by so doing the medical model contributes to, rather than elevates the problem by continuing to treat patients with mind altering drugs like chlorpromazine, Librium, Diazepam, Seroxat and other tranquilizer and Benzedrine varieties all which are often encompassed under the umbrella of anti-depressant drugs and used as anti- psychotic drug treatments over long periods which can cause side effects that in fact reflect symptoms commonly cited in the diagnosis of mental health issues such as memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, paranoia and lethargy. As the BBC’ panorama demonstrated when it investigated Seroxat. PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002
.
Freud experimented with hypnosis, but abandoned this, in favor of treatment where patients talked through their problems. This became known as the "talking cure" widely recognized as the basis of psychoanalysis. This view it could be suggested saw the beginning of a more holistic approach to mental health and widened the modes of practice used to diagnose mental illness by incorporating physiological and sociological influences.
Freud developed a theory of how the human mind is organized and operates, and how human behavior both conditions and results from this particular theoretical understanding. Freud’s biggest contribution to psychiatry was his argument for the existence of an unconscious mind. This suggested people could discover repressed thoughts about themselves and their environment and control them; Freud believed we are not completely aware of all our thoughts and sometimes react in ways unrelated to conscious thoughts. Freudian psychoanalysis brings repressed thoughts and feelings from the unconscious mind to the conscious realm, by encouraging patients to talk in
free association. . Freud used a form of treatment based on that developed by Breuer which he modified and called "pressure technique". His findings from this suggested that many of his patients were victims of childhood sexual abuse.
The problem with talk therapy and transference is that transference allows the client to transfer his feeling to the therapist and can therefore work in reverse, with the therapist transferring his ideas subconsciously or even through metaphoric language misinterpretation to the client; the client may say what he thinks the therapist wants to hear in order to gain points.
In Freud's opinion, reasoning occurs in the conscious mind the ego, the mind also contains the hidden, irrational elements of id and superego, which lie outside conscious control driving behavior and motivating conscious activities, resulting in these structures bringing into question human ability to act purely on the basis of reason. Since hidden motives are also always at play. This model of the mind makes rationality suspect motivated by hidden urges or societal forces e.g. defense mechanisms, where reasoning becomes "rationalizing" reflecting some of the theories encompassed under physiological mental health models.
Freud was criticized for his theories of the unconscious mind and dream analysis since unlike the medical model his conclusions where not based on matter or the physical aspects of health and his theories were seen to be delving into what has been labeled as suedo- psychiatry and mysticism. He was also accused of being obsessed with theories related to sexual deviance however given the strict moral structure of western culture at that time most mental health diagnoses deemed mental health patients to be guilty of some form of sexual deviance as Thomas Szasz illustrates (the myth of mental illness(1962) the manufacture of maddness1971)
The deviant label has historically been synonymous with mental health diagnosis as the behavior of the mental health patient deviates from the accepted norm of the cultural and societal rules laid down by the hierarchy of those making the diagnosis. It has long been recognized within the sociology camp that certain groups of people are more likely to be labeled thus e.g. woman, unmarried mothers in the 60’s were made to give up children and seen as unfit, black (people men in particular) were more likely to be found guilty of crimes and homosexuals were regarded as perverted and sick in the mind.
Social class will also be a contributing factor. Historically British society’s hierarchies and rule makers have traditionally belonged to upper and middle classes and are predominantly white Christian males. It is also notable that often the deviant/ mentally ill label may be applied to someone without them ever having committed an act of deviance by there association with those labeled under the vast umbrella of deviant behaviors, as is explained by Becker in his The outsiders (1963).
Since the 1960’s there has been a sway towards the humanistic approach and client centered therapy devised from Maslow (1908-1970) and Rogers (1902-1987). More recently the existentialism approach of Laing, (1927-1987) and May (1905- ) which it could be suggested has developed from Jungian theories.
Existentialisms encourage patients to face life’s inevitabilities, and to recognize and take responsibility for there own issues, behaviors and actions. It approaches mental ill health from the prospective of a healing journey.
) In 1966-1967 Laing and colleagues David cooper and Joseph Berke established Kingsley hall in London and set about what was called the deconstruction of madness and the madhouse. Effectively patients were taken on what was described as a journey through madness, and called the life-death-life theory. Many former patients of Kingsley hall and subsequent projects which have developed from the basic principles of Kingsley hall i.e. the Soteria project (1971-1983), have written about there experiences and benefits of the therapy/treatment received. (Morton Schatzman)
In conclusion according to Socratic assertion “the unexamined life is not worth living” it could therefore be suggested that as life’s inevitabilities are a result of medical, physiological sociological and environmental events affecting the individual which may or may not be within or beyond his /her control given the infiniteness of the universe and the limitations of scientific and medical knowledge, and therefore the focus of issues under the umbrella of psychiatric and mental health categories should be best approached from a societal, humanistic and Existentialist approach which is in keeping with the principles of basic human rights that are so often denied those diagnosed with mental health illness.
REFERANCES
Beker,H. (1963). The outsiders. Free Press.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_model`
Laing,R.D.(1971)The Politics of the Family, Tavistock .
Morton Schatzman, Madness and morals Joseph Berke(ed.), counter-culture; the creation of an alternative society, Peter Owen, 1970.PANORAMA. THE SECRETS OF SEROXAT BBC-1.13th oct,2002 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2310197.stm
Scheff,T.J.(1966),Being Mentally Ill; A Sociological Theory, Weidenfeild & Nicolson
Szasz,T.S (1971).The manufacture of madness, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd.
Szasz,T.S (1960) The myth of mental illness,
As part of my course work at uni i have been instructed to do a blog on being bad , kinda part and parcel of my lifestyle according to some however i would beg to differ on that point and state that being bad i believe is not part and parcel of the individual or charecter of the individual but a by product of life . we are all capable of being bad as we are all capable of beinbg good, surely its about ballance.
anyway,,,
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FINNISH THIS COURSE I HAVE SPENT THE LAST TO YEARS DOING AS A RESULT OF BAD ADMINISTRATION, BUROCRACY AND MANAGMENT OF MY PERSONAL LIFE HOWEVER I WILL BLOG IT ...
WITH THIS IN MIND I HAVE DECIDED TO POST MY PAST COUSRE WORK not worth coping i am a steight c student but having spent countless time doing it i feel i may as well, also i will add some othe stuff i'v worked on over the past few years , and stuff i posted on other sites in the last few months , i will also try to explain at some point why i have taken these steps , if it is not self explanitory , which i think it is , but thats me its up to you the reader to decide if what i have to say is deemed good or bad , personally i don't give a flying fuck i'm passed caring but just feel its time i voiced my thopughts and opinion , well i believe in freedon of speach and therefore i think i have that right although recently i have come to believe that what we think are our rights , what we are told are our rights and the rights we actually have according to law seem to be very much ignored, missinterpreted or blatently pissed into the wind....
anyway,,,
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FINNISH THIS COURSE I HAVE SPENT THE LAST TO YEARS DOING AS A RESULT OF BAD ADMINISTRATION, BUROCRACY AND MANAGMENT OF MY PERSONAL LIFE HOWEVER I WILL BLOG IT ...
WITH THIS IN MIND I HAVE DECIDED TO POST MY PAST COUSRE WORK not worth coping i am a steight c student but having spent countless time doing it i feel i may as well, also i will add some othe stuff i'v worked on over the past few years , and stuff i posted on other sites in the last few months , i will also try to explain at some point why i have taken these steps , if it is not self explanitory , which i think it is , but thats me its up to you the reader to decide if what i have to say is deemed good or bad , personally i don't give a flying fuck i'm passed caring but just feel its time i voiced my thopughts and opinion , well i believe in freedon of speach and therefore i think i have that right although recently i have come to believe that what we think are our rights , what we are told are our rights and the rights we actually have according to law seem to be very much ignored, missinterpreted or blatently pissed into the wind....
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