Those with lived experience must be supported ... in a variety of roles so that they can influence organisations for the better . It is not just the Mental Health Act that needs reform , but every level of service . |
discussion about their treatment plan , share their experiences of medication , or ask for changes , resulted in punishment .
This took the form of being forcibly restrained and given a depot injection of an antipsychotic medication . Ian found that all the rights prescribed around patient choice – access to his own notes and support plans , discussion around timelines and dosages – were swiftly shut down with the threat of this swift disarming of dignity and autonomy .
RACIAL BIAS Ian ’ s observations of how differently black men were treated in the secure hospital are particularly sinister – they were much more likely to be punished with restraint for attempting to communicate their needs . Ian also found a pattern of sectioning black men
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as an eviction strategy from community settings .
One mental health advocate shared with Ian how a nonverbal patient they knew had been sectioned as their housing provider , the local authority , claimed he was extremely loud and vocal to the point of being classed as anti-social . He was imprisoned and made homeless in one swift application of the Mental Health Act 1983 .
This is structural racism 101 . As Ian learned to adapt and survive in an oppressive environment , he had to be resourceful and overcome information barriers through a resource he alone had – a short phone charger lead ! Accessing the hospital Wi-Fi , Ian started to research the medication he and his fellow patients were on , finding that they were being prescribed doses far higher than what is advised .
Ian began supporting others to discuss this safely in their weekly appointments with the in-house doctor . His phone became a source of hope and resistance and , as more patients conversed and developed relationships , normal joys like humour were revived .
THE LOONY BIN WHATSAPP GROUP When it was time for him leave , Ian continued to use his phone as a tool of support ; exchanging numbers with patients and setting up a WhatsApp group . After discussion , participants decided to name this group after their nickname for the mental health hospital , the ‘ loony bin ’. The power of humour to overcome , cope , and gain a sense of objectivity and empowerment allowed the men in the group to create meaningful relationships based on their shared experiences .
Those being discharged from the mental health unit to go out into the community and start again found solace in sharing experiences on the loony bin group . They were able to share advice and even arrange meetups , and the group grew organically as people invited others whom Ian would sometimes meet weeks
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later at social events around London . Smaller meetups included cinema outings and walks that helped to counter the isolation and loneliness many members faced .
The empathy , practical understanding and knowledge that those sharing similar lived experience can offer each other is incomparable but it does not substitute the appropriate support of trained professionals and resourced organisations . Rather , those with lived experience must be supported to train and work in statutory organisations in a variety of roles so that they can influence organisations for the better . It is not just the Mental Health Act that needs reform , but every level of service .
CONTRASTING EXPERIENCE Ian ’ s experiences in a mental health hospital prove this , and can be contrasted with Jo ’ s experience of receiving support through one of our services and moving forward to shape and deliver peer mentoring services with Social Interest Group ( SIG ) in her own community .
Jo ’ s ability to support people in an effective manner comes from the fact that she is in a permanent post , trained and resourced to advise , support and signpost people into pathways to independence in their local community . SIG ’ s peer-to-peer community service in Medway is delivered in partnership with the public health service .
This partnership between local statutory and VCSE models a holistic approach that supports people to recover , manage their health and wellbeing , and integrate into their own community .
Integrated services facilitate integrated communities because people can access the different support services they require at any time , in their own locality and on their own terms . Like the ‘ loony bin ’ WhatsApp group , this offers people a greater sense of ownership and empowerment , providing hope when it is need most .
Raje Ballagan-Evans is policy and impact manager at the Social Interest Group ( SIG )
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MARCH 2025 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 7 |