Marjorie Wallace our chief executive, has commented on new proposals to make talking therapies mandatory for people who are on benefits due to their mental health problems: “It is extremely important that people with mental illness are offered talking therapies and support to find employment. In our experience the ability to work matters to the majority of people who are on benefits. However, coercion to treatment contradicts the very meaning of therapy, which involves trust and confidentiality. No amount of reassurance will prevent people in therapy viewing the therapist as a ‘government spy’. To a person who is already anxious, even afraid, that they may not be able to live up to expectations, being given therapy under the threat of their benefits being withdrawn and being forced into an unsuitable job and risk relapse, undermines the purpose of the therapy itself. You must disconnect treatment from government control, you cannot use it as both a carrot and a stick.” If you are affected by the issues raised in this story you can call our helpline on 08457678000 between 6-11pm.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 11:26:39 +0000
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