OUTCRY Conference Report:
Part One - The 'Daft' Mental Health Bill?

Questions And Comments From The Floor

Speaker from the floor:
Is the Mental Health Act just for England or does it include Scotland?

Diane Hackney:
The act is for England and Wales, Scotland has a separate Act. A new one is currently being implemented there, its better than here, you can go there and do an advance directive!

Speaker from the floor:
Does anyone know what a black person can do regards this bill? Who’s doing it for black people?

Lynn Harrison:
I can’t represent what you’ve been through. But I ask you ‘’can you do it for yourself, can we then work together?

Speaker from the floor:
As you can see I am somewhat damaged, with various physical conditions…these were diagnosed in the 1970’s as psychosomatic…I was given 23 ECT’s…since the 1980’s they have tried to Section me three times... There is a long list of physical conditions diagnosed as mental illness…what I’m asking Outcry to do is go to the unions...go to those who are well…I think the ordinary public should come with us

Speaker from the floor:
Do we know the position of Royal College of Psychiatry regards Compulsory Treatment in the community?

Dave Tombs:
They are against it, there will be a huge shortfall in psychiatrists, there are 250 vacancies now.

Lynn Harrison:
To clarify this, they are not against compulsory treatment per se. They are against it because it won’t work as it’s currently outlined in the draft bill, so be aware of that.

NEXT: Part Two - The Need For A User/Survivor Alliance
Chris Wright