Report to the People
9th August 2004
It’s not
Selfish or Attention Seeking to be Ill
The
recent media coverage about the deeply distressing issue of self-harm brought
home some uncomfortable truths about what we as humans can do to ourselves and
each other.
I
can only imagine what drives people to slash themselves with a razor, or gouge
out their own flesh, or drink acid. But, whatever the reason, it’s clear they are seriously ill
and need our help.
What
they don’t need is to be treated like they’re deliberately wasting
doctors’ and nurses’ time with a bit of attention seeking.
They don’t need, as Professor Paul Lelliott of the Royal College of
Psychiatrists confirmed still happens, their wounds stitched up without
anaesthetic as, presumably, some sort of punishment.
Mental
health problems in general and self-harm in particular attract a terrible stigma
and very little sympathy. The
attitude of some is, “well, you did it to yourself, so you shouldn’t be
burdening the NHS.” But, by that
logic, the NHS shouldn’t treat smokers; people who are too fond of a drink or
a pie supper; or those who drive everywhere rather than getting some exercise by
walking – all of whom could be said to be inflicting medical problems on
themselves.
Self-harmers
are as entitled to treatment as anyone else – and that means going beyond
simply patching them up and sending them home.
It means working to address the underlying illness of which
self-mutilation is only a symptom.
If
you went to the doctor with severe stomach pains, you wouldn’t be happy if you
were simply given a couple of painkillers. You would demand efforts be made to
find out what was wrong with you. Why
should it be different if you’re mentally ill?
Depression
is like any serious illness. If it
is not diagnosed and treated, it just gets worse and worse until it kills you.
The only difference is that it’s not a tumour or haemorrhage which ends
your life, it’s a successful suicide attempt.
As
a motion I have tabled in the Scottish Parliament notes, more people die as a
result of suicide than from traffic accidents.
That is why a national strategy to reduce suicides by 20% over the next
10 years has been introduced, as has training in suicide prevention skills.
But
we can’t let up. Next month sees
International Suicide Prevention Week and, to mark the event, I am seeking to
secure a debate in the Scottish Parliament about how those who suffer from
mental ill-health can be regarded and treated the way they should – as
patients, not timewasters.
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