“It’s Time to Be Heard”

How will people survive in Manchester without any real meaningful mental health care? No one can deny that upon the streets of Manchester, the amount of homelessness is unacceptable and the care given towards the most vulnerable by untrained council housing emergency staff is also unacceptable poor by design and unclear in its function. A case of not fit for purpose. Alan Hartman vice chairman of MUN explains a point of the law and why many in Manchester are being failed by a drop in standards of care in Manchester, a city that was once know for very high standards, so high that the nursing staff went on strike after one nurse blew time by whistle blowing . see the story then and ask have the commissionaires ever listened to the service users ? (https://www.manchesterusersnetwork.org.uk/?p=33 ) Also see the article by Guardian journalist Barbara Goulden https://www.manchesterusersnetwork.org.uk/?p=1056

Mental illness does not mean that you have no capacity!

Our experiences with Manchester Housing proves that Housing employees need training. When you get officers who do not know the difference between someone with severe learning difficulties and severe mental illness it is very worrying.

M’Naghten case (1843) when M’Naghten was accused of being under delusions of insanity killed Robert Peel’s secretary. He was found not guilty on grounds of insanity, but he had the capacity to plan the murder even though he was impaired by delusions.

The Twins

A and B both suffered from Mental illness, both were very different in personalities.
A was a violent man and disregarded the law, he made personal decisions that many would think was immoral or even criminal. A was married. He then became mentally ill and was paranoid and deluded. His delusions made him think that his wife was having an affair. He planned to murder her and the man he thought she was having an affair with. A purchased a shot gun and shot dead his wife and who he thought was his wife lover. There are two points to consider .

1] Would A murder his wife and lover if he was not mentally ill and his wife was having affair?

2] A obviously had the capacity to plan the murder and purchase a shot gun!

B was a law biding citizen and a non violent person and made person decisions that were moral that most people would respect. B was married. He then became mentally ill and was paranoid and deluded. His delusions made him think that he wife was having an affair. He decided that he would see a solicitor and petition for a divorce on grounds of adultery. There are two points to consider.

2
1] Would B take legal action to divorce his wife if he was not mentally ill and his wife was having affair?

2] A obviously had the capacity to arrange legal action!

NB. Many of my friends Paul, Alan and Larry are very intelligent though they suffer from a Severe & Enduring Mental illness, which makes them very vulnerable, but certainly they have capacity.