World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2011

This is surely a day for 'all and sundry' in the mental health world to flood us with important information that will raise awareness of Mental Health Problems in the community.

The British Army ( Bless 'em ) had already decided that all soldiers, returning from 'theatre' would have immediate access to 'talking therapies', from their own doctors, outside psychiatrists and as many psychologists as would be needed. Their aim - Eliminate Stigma ! What a noble aim and absolutely typical of the army to lead us with their usal courage and determination. Now, every trooper suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxieties, sleeplessness, prolonged periods of sadness, alcohol dependency etc etc will ALL be able to access this essential service And....if they are reluctant to come foreward, concerned colleagues, family or friends may make enquiries on their behalf. This is, and always has been, a need that should have been satisfied by H.M. Forces decades ago. Now the British Army have recognised the need and got on with the job of providing these essential services. We have all taken for granted the terrible pain that our soldiers, airmen and sailors have endured as a result of defending us and our great nation. Where the army leads, the rest will follow.

But ( dare I ask ) what has happened today in Cardiff to commemorate this 'World Mental Health Day' ?...........
I haven't heard or read of anything, and neither have my friends and colleagues. Cardiff City Council should be ashamed, as should the Universally Inept Health Board, and all other statutory and the many non-statutory mental health 'charities'. However, let's not rush to condemn. Perhaps readers could provide this blog with comments correcting me, and ( hopefully ) listing all the events that I and my colleagues obviously missed !