The last decade has seen extraordinary changes and an unprecedented level of investment in mental health services in this country. The UK now has one of the most sophisticated, well resourced and complex mental health care systems in the world. And yet those using these services continue to tell us that we still often fail to provide them with the kind of support that they really need as individuals.
For some time, we at Whole life believed that if we are to truly improve the experience of those with mental health problems, then the answers will not lie in simply investing more money, recruiting more staff or developing ever more sophisticated service models and systems. What we believe we need to do next is to question many of the fundamental beliefs and ideas that underpin our current mental health systems and the approach of individual practitioners working within them. Some of the questions that need be asked include what we think about mental health, what we believe about mental illness and what we believe the responsibilities of the state, mental health services and individual professionals should be in relation to those with mental health problems.
This website brings together the thoughts and ideas of a range of people who have contributed to the work of the Whole Life programme over the last few years. Through the Whole Life programme we have worked with individuals from local areas across the East of England and in the South West to explore alternative ways to develop their local mental health care systems. This exploration has included participation in an exchange programme with mental health services in five other European countries, active debates about our attitudes and beliefs and many changes to actual service delivery.
It would appear that in order for our thinking about mental health and the role of mental health services to progress further, a completely new discourse is required, one that provides the platform for a more progressive, pioneering and open minded approach to supporting individuals with mental health problems to reach their full potential.
There is evidence of this debate emerging in many settings and through the work of a range of national and international agencies. These include the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Commission, the Department of Health and The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The content of this website is offered as a contribution to this emerging debate and contains a forum where you can personally contribute to and influence this exciting debate.