Mental Health Cuts

Mental health support services have always been the poor relation in the overall health provision. Providing good services for those suffering with mental health problems is not nearly as attractive to those deciding funding priorities as many other options.

The lives of very many people are blighted by their own mental health issues, and the sense of isolation and misunderstanding from the wider public makes matters much worse. And when services are reduced, many lives are further put at risk. 

The BBC report states, 'Cuts to mental health services in England will put lives at risk, as funds are reduced for schemes aimed at reducing suicides, ministers are warned.'

The reasons which will be trotted out again will be that when everything else is under pressure, provisions for mental health services will have to share the burden. As usual, those in greatest need will pay the highest price.

In the Old Testament, the prophets regularly reminded the people of God, who had drifted away from God's priorities, that they should return to basic matters as a matter of urgency. 'Come back to the Lord and live!
You twist justice, making it a bitter pill for the oppressed.
    You treat the righteous like dirt.

How you hate honest judges!
    How you despise people who tell the truth!You trample the poor,
    stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.
Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses,
    you will never live in them.
Though you plant lush vineyards,
    you will never drink wine from them.' (Amos 5.5-10 edited)

In Amos' day, the rich were keen to build bigger and better houses, and have wonderful wine to drink, but the poorest were treated as worthless. We see the same in our day, and often it is those with mental health issues who are treated most shabbily.

Jesus promised to bring real life to those who would receive it. 'The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.' (John 10.10)

How glad I am that Jesus can bring us the life that is life indeed. Let us also work to bring that life to others, especially the most vulnerable.

Best wishes,

Richard