[Closed] Mentally ill folk on the street

Care in the community, just the standard for 'safe' slip a little as purses tighten

I watched a bloke outside Kings Cross trying to break into his own shoes with a coat hanger.

I've noticed a huge increase actually. But I've just moved back to Glasgow.

Around where I live and work (central london) I've seen quite a few people recently, looking dishevelled and ranting and shouting at nobody in particular.

Thats Elfinsafety, you should have bought him a pint

EDIT: Actually.... I was in London last week so it might have been me.

There was a woman who regularly danced in her bra and knickers at a set of lights on Trinity Road in Tooting. Care in the community see, or it's unoffical title of 000k the mentally ill.

I used to see her! Not so much in the bra and knickers, used to see her dressed, and her friend the rocking woman who used to sit on the bench and rock

I think it is highly unlikely that any mental health trust has reduced their intervention criteria based on the cuts to NHS budgets. Just because someone is acting unusually doesn't mean that they are a danger to others or themselves - or necessarily ill. Not does it mean they may not be in contact with services.

Shutting down day centres, transport to day centres, residential homes, homeless shelters, community care projects and funding to mental health charities.

Welcome to the big society.

I walked past a bloke in a suite who was shouting no, No, NO!!!!!

It turned out that he was a yes man on holiday so that was ok.

It's mad innit

So should people with enduring Mental Health issues be kept out of our sight?

Lots of people have Mental Health issues where treatment is ineffective, or unacceptable to them, or they successfully evade services.

I'd say I'd see just as many obviously... eccentric... people are obvious on the street in Paris or Rome.

That's her I rember her rocking mate too. My friend had a flat near there and she was often in her underwear in the summer. It's depressing but mental illness healthcare is shockingly bad in this country, some great people doing their best but woefully underfunded.

Shutting down day centres, transport to day centres, residential homes, homeless shelters, community care projects and funding to mental health charities.

This is why.

Funding to the NHS hasn't been directly cut, however the funding to the daycare centers which took the load off the NHS has been removed hence they are shutting down, and the disabled, handicapped are back on the streets, where some tories seem to believe they belong.

Big society in action

^ this.

Nhs cuts by the back door, for those who can't fight back.

That's her I rember her rocking mate too. My friend had a flat near there and she was often in her underwear in the summer. It's depressing but mental illness healthcare is shockingly bad in this country, some great people doing their best but woefully underfunded

Wasn't in Trinity Crescent was he? Moira or Du Cane courts?

Was my line of work. Plenty cuts and pressure on services even 3 years ago. Must be worse by now.

[i]I've seen quite a few people recently, looking dishevelled and ranting and shouting at nobody in particular.[/i]

London, yes, that's it.

Try going to Switzerland. Now they let their crazy people roam the streets like they *want* it to be crazy town.

Also in fairness, people yelling at themselves, biting their own feet and taking their clothes off at the traffic lights are quite memorable. Kind of like spotting stereotypical singletrackers, once you start looking out for them they are everywhere!

The real worry is that something like 1 in 8 people are suffering from mental health problems and this is becoming a real epidemic, yet treatment and support is often first cut. How many people did you walk past today who suffer crippling depression, anxieties or are single speeders?

I think most people who end up on the street have mental health problems, as that makes the difference between being able to cope with adversity. I did read somewhere that 'anti-social behaviour problems' was a key trait of most homeless people - the inability to maintain relationships with colleagues, friends, family, authority meant they missed out on support.

Was wondering as I have had about half a dozen experiences in the past week of people who were on the borderline of 'eccentric' and 'quite aggressive', and yesterday a guy on tottenham court road threatened to cave my head in (and then various others walking past - no provocation).

I think that on the basis of all the anecdotal evidence above we can safely assume that this is a massive nationwide problem.

I'm off to write to my MP.

I once saw a chap sitting in the pub having a beer and was accompanied by a little Churchill insurance nodding dog. We sat and watched him ask the dog a question, then tap the dogs head so it would nod or shake its head. He then agreed with the dog and carried on with the conversation.

Just wondering if anybody else has had this experience recently. Around where I live and work (central london) I've seen quite a few people recently, looking dishevelled and ranting and shouting at nobody in particular.

We used to have a schizophrenic living in our street who took the odd fish from the local reservoir. Lancashire Fly Fishing Association tried five times to sue him and on the sixth occasion they succeeded. The end result was that he has ended up in a secure "home" in Blackpool drugged up to the eyeballs and becoming physically unwell. I expect he will die soon, thus society deals with the few who don't quite fit.

^^^
I bet that kind of conversation was really satisfying compared to most of the ones I have at work.

Glasgow has a disproportionate number of mentally ill people walking the streets.

Abit late I was referring to Kevj

bol - Member
Just because someone is acting unusually doesn't mean that they are a danger to others or themselves - or necessarily ill.

Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post

Just that they cant log onto a bike forum,or drive a company car.

There are probably more mentally ill people who will be logged into STW tonight than you will meet on the streets either this week or next or the one after that. What's your problem?

"The real worry is that something like 1 in 8 people are suffering from mental health problems"
It's actually more like 1 in 4. Havent noticed the effects of any cuts on the unit I work on at the moment (acute male psychiatry), but this time last year I was made redundant due to the rehab unit I was charge nurse on being 'decommisioned'. Christ, I despise this arseing government.

Around where I live and work (central london) I've seen quite a few people recently, looking dishevelled and ranting and shouting at nobody in particular.

Thats Elfinsafety, you should have bought him a pint

😆

It's not funny really though.

No - he still owes you a pint

"The real worry is that something like 1 in 8 people are suffering from mental health problems"
It's actually more like 1 in 4.

are these 1 in 4s and 1 in 8s people who [u]are[/u] suffering from mental health problems right now? Or the proportion of us who will suffer from problems at some time?

1 in 4 will suffer from some form of mental illness at some time.

I worked in mental health for 6 very happy years, and we used to say not all the mad ones where on the wards, just visit any supermarket in the rush hour, or drive ona road, there are a lot of undiagnosed mentally ill out there, some are dangerous, and some are just funny and harmless, treat everyone with respect who seems not quite right, because one day it may be you.

We had ex psychie nurses,steelworkers, policemen, DR,s, teachers , senior accountants and lots more, but one thing they had in common, they needed help and a shoulder to cry on, a safe haven from their sometimes minor demons or very serious personality disorders.

These nut jobs being on the loose are a pain in the arse. Ive had two violent run ins with them(one recently one years ago) and something needs doing about it.

Are you trying your hand at trolling bigthunder?

Feel like I should clarify a couple of things:

I'm definitely not saying that mentally ill people should all be locked up. I just find it depressing that people in need of help might be let down because of cuts and them generally having much of a voice (compared to students, the armed forces, other parts of the NHS etc).

Also the guy that threatened me was definitely not a pisshead. Drunks are slow and glazed while this guy had an intensity that I have only seen before in people having a psychotic episode (not that I'm an expert).

More than anything I was wondering if anybody else had noticed an uptick in this kind of thing. Although the plural of anecdote is not evidence, a quick poll can be illuminating. I'm all for respecting everybody (rare around here, I know), but inevitably some people need care for their own and others' safety.

Nope not trolling. Was waiting for a bus that ill people used to use(went past the hospital on way to my mums) when I was about 14 and a loony asked me an incomprehensible question. He then got annoyed that I didnt understand him and set about me in a violent fashion. Did what I could but I was cornered and got a right shoeing. He was roughly 40 and big. These do gooder types have had their day and it doesnt work - these violent people should be locked up. Had a similar experience 2/3 years ago(another bus) and ended up fighting with another nut job. These people are just a pain. Not just mentally ill - some neds should just be binned as well. Put them into mine clearing duties(neds not nutters).

Choron - the problem is where do you draw the line? to take someones liberty away is a very big step.

rightly its very much the last resort to forciably treat someone and the law is quite strict about the grounds to do so. You must have a treatable mental disorder and be a danger to yourself and / or to others ( IIRC)

We had a local chap who lived on the edge of what was sectionabale - OK when he took his meds but he didn't like the way they made him felt - so when he felt well he would stop taking them. He lived alone in a flt but ws known to and supported by the local mental health services.

he was seen quite often locally muttering on the street about conspiracies and so on. Eventually he blew up a flagpole outside the local restaurant as it had an EU flag on it and was sectioned again for a short period until he was stable then returned to live in the same flat.

So its a very tricky area and the need to balance the liberty of the individual the safety of the public is a hard thing to do and to get right - especially as the person with the difficulties may vary hour by hour and day by day.

if you see someone who appears to be that psychotic you can call the police - they do have powers under the mental health act to detain someone for assessment.

I met a sweet fella yesterday, incidentally.
Saw him crossing the road in an overly careful fashion, thought it was an old geezer. Got closer, he wasn't old and he held up his Pompey FC carrier bag to show me. I chatted to him about Pompey, but he didn't really respond to the conversation - was more concerned about crossing the road again, so I helped him across.
As I went in the shop he was trying to say stuff to a council worker type bloke who was going "You what?" "Say again?" in an aggressive way. I thought that's probably what he gets from most people - I would've been the same about 10 years ago.

[b]These people[/b] are just a pain. Not just mentally ill - some neds should just be binned as well. Put them into mine clearing duties

Sad. Just sad...

ah yes, the 'these people' argument. great until it's you, or your relatives, or your friends.

and seeing as it's you tj, no the police don't have powers to detain someone for assessment per se but rather to remove them to a 'place of safety'(see section 136)

We used to have a mental health hospital in our city now we have neglect in the neighbourhood(care in the community).There are now loads of people with mental health problems wandering around only getting outpatient type treatment as we quite often see lots of people with very odd and disturbing behaviour in the city

There is almost certainly still a massive stigma attached to most forms of mental illness. The way some people behave towards these people is, quite honestly, despicable. As Teej said above, if you think someone is a danger to them selves or others then call the police. if it's someone muttering to themselves just let them be.

some mentally ill people, and they are people, do struggle to communicate with other people, that doesn't mean we should ignore them. We should help them by not stigmatising every 'nutter' we see on our streets.

Elfin safety itd be interesting to see if you thought it was still sad if one of these people beat up your kids.

Just spend an afternoon in the middle of Manchester, it seems most people are mentally unstable.

Ta swiss 🙂

Elfin safety itd be interesting to see if you thought it was still sad if one of these people beat up your kids.

Or raped his mother. Ask Elfie how he would feel if one of these people raped his mother - that's always a good one.

A very good mate of mine from school used to do alot of recreational drugs. Funny guy but has had mental health issues since. Of course its not always taking recreational drugs that causes mental illness but it can amplify and push someone over the line IMO. I stopped using them when I realised how madly depressed I was afterwards. **** that.

I walked past a bloke in a [b]suite[/b] who was shouting no, No, NO!!!!!

As above, cuts to non-statutory services like day-centres, drop ins, hostels and so on. Big Society working its magic.

They are an easy target for cuts IMO. The sorts of 'crazy people' described above invariably don't have much in the way of family and friends and so have no one else to advocate for them. The only time the 'authorities or your MP gets to hear about them is when they have done something wrong.

Despite possibly drawing the outgoing incapacity benefit or Disability Living Allowance (if they are organised enough to navigate their way through the benefits system and turn up for the medical reviews) these sorts also pay a great deal in tax to central government through duty on 'self medicating' with booze and fags, and invariably don't vote. The perfect constituent for a hands-off, low income/inheritance taxation non interventionist government, wouldn't you say? 😕

There was this bloke with a broken leg in the street, i noticed him... [b]he wasnt harming anybody[/b] by standing there with a broken leg, but [b]its unsightly and I dont want to see anything other than what I perceive as normal[/b] when I'm out and about.... the government should surely be locking him safely away in a hospital until he's completely recovered 🙄

Sorry for the sarcastic comment, but its attitudes along the lines of 'ohh they're mentally ill, they should be kept away from my kids and dear god I do not want them reminding me that some people are different when I'm sipping my starbucks coffee!' that do nothing to help reduce the sitgma surrounding mentall illness!

I see many more people chatting away to themselves on tiny almost hidden away bluetooth headsets than I do responding to auditory hallucinations when I'm out and about. The stigma and attitudes they encounter from the general public don't help and often cause sufferers to hide away even more, usually making the illness worse and more traumatic. If you suffered from a mental health problem would you feel comfortable telling everyone you know in the same way as if you'd broken a leg?

Mental illness can be boiled down to what society doesn't see as the 'norm', years ago being gay was a mental illness... if i'm not mistaken smoking cigarettes is still classed as a mental illness FFS (although you wouldn't exactly get sectioned for smoking). To be sectioned and detained under the Mental Health Act you need to be a danger to yourself or others. Having spent years working in mental health i'd much rather sit in a room full of paranoid schizophrenics than go to a football match, much less likely to get beaten up!

People seem to zero in on the psychotic disorders and the more visible ones; forgetting that a huge number of people they see walking about in town are also mentally unwell: depression/anxiety disorders/personality disorders etc etc blah blah blah..... just because its not visible in the same way a broken leg or being wheelchair-bound is doesn't mean the person suffering from mental ill health should be kept away from you good sane people because or treated any different from any other unwell person.

Hospitals aren't always the best place to treat people, being sectioned and taken into a secure/admissions unit is a traumatic experience and often the longer a patient is kept in hospital the harder it is to help them get back to a 'normal life' and the more likely they are to relapse and end up back in hospital again. My work is all about getting people out of secure units, long stay units and forensic places like Broadmoor etc back into the community by helping them learn/re-develop their skills to live in the community safely.

The last time I checked the stats were saying about 1:4 people will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their life... how many people do you have in your family? Now imagine someone you love or imagine yourself being unwell, would you want them/yourself to be locked up in hospital or receiving the support to get back to as 'normal' a life as possible?

Cuts are effecting the services dramatically but bringing everyone back into hospital isn't the way forward.... the public remembering that having a mental illness is actually a more 'normal' human experience than riding an expensive bike in the woods for example!

We're all humans, all our experiences are different... some more than others.

(sorry for the long post, i had to struggle to rant about the media and other such influences on the general public's fears and stigma about mental health)

Phil - you need to make your posts look more like poems.

Prestwich is a mecca for such types.

I didn't even flinch when a plump lady wearing a stetson, pink blouse and waistcoat and far too much rouge walked past me and smiled.

There is almost certainly still a massive stigma attached to most forms of mental illness. The way some people behave towards these people is, quite honestly, despicable. As Teej said above, if you think someone is a danger to them selves or others then call the police. if it's someone muttering to themselves just let them be.

some mentally ill people, and they are people, do struggle to communicate with other people, that doesn't mean we should ignore them. We should help them by not stigmatising every 'nutter' we see on our streets.

well said. *doffs cap*

sorry yeti, i don't do poems i do lyrics

shamelessly stolen from wiki as i couldnt remember the details of when it was taken out the ICD:

The World Health Organization's ICD-9 (1977) listed homosexuality as a mental illness; it was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on May 17, 1990.[70][71] Like the DSM-II, the ICD-10 added ego-dystonic sexual orientation to the list, which refers to people who want to change their gender identities or sexual orientation because of a psychological or behavioral disorder

Firstly i would agree with philconsequence post.
I also work in the field of mental health; while our funding has not been cut, we have never had much and are scarily under resourced, it has not been increased. However lots of agencies we rely on are being cut.
Our waiting lists are sky high, as a result of "wider society issues??".
There are attempts being made for us to become a social enterprise, a disaster waiting to happen, as we will have to compete to sell our services!!
I should add i work with under 18's.