Category Archives: mental health

Hundreds of thousands of elderly people were abused last year

September 8, 2013   Carers, health, mental health, Older care

Elderly people are being routinely ill-treated by carers or relatives, says Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow

 

Elderly people across the country are being routinely ill-treated according to Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow.

As many as 370,000 older people have been abused in their own homes by a carer, relative or friend in the last year, according to figures, exposing what has been described as a “hidden national scandal”.

The number aged over 65 who are physically, psychologically or financially persecuted at home every year is likely to reach almost half a million by the end of the decade.

Elderly men and women across the country, from all walks of life, are routinely ill-treated, yet former health minister Paul Burstow warns that their plight is often ignored or dismissed.

Read More

Kindness shown by a complete stranger

August 30, 2013   Carers, mental health

Love letters and kindness may improve mental health

By Lorna Stewart Health Check, BBC World Service

“You matter to me. In a way I cannot explain, you matter to me. And you, you are a marvel… you and all the parts of you.”

It’s not the kind of thing you normally write to a complete stranger.

But after graduating from college and moving to New York City, Hannah Brencher was feeling anxious and depressed. She found herself not wanting to be around other people and “just really unravelling”.

Then she started writing love letters to strangers and leaving them all over the city. The first letter she left on a train simply addressed: “If you find this letter then it’s for you.”

Read More

Hampshire constabulary launches new poster to help disabled

August 22, 2013   Carers, disability, learning difficulties, mental health

Mencap’s Learning Disability Week (August 19-25)

5:00pm Wednesday 21st August 2013 in News By Lauren Howard, Reporter

The poster is aimed to help people with learning difficulties make both emergency and non-emergency calls. The poster is aimed to help people with learning difficulties make both emergency and non-emergency calls.

HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has launched a new poster to help adults with learning disabilities call the police.

In line with Mencap’s Learning Disability Week (August 19-25) the new poster aims to be easier to read and explains when to dial 101 and 999.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “Some of the feedback we’ve received is that often people with a learning disability aren’t sure when to call 101 and when to call 999. “I hope that this poster, alongside the work we’ve been doing to engage with communities affected by disability, will encourage people to come forward to report problems they’re experiencing, demonstrate that the police are here to help and that we can make a difference.”

Read More