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Mental Health Discrimination Bill

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sister_of_mercy On March 11, 2015




London, United Kingdom
#1New Post! Sep 13, 2012 @ 22:57:29
The Mental Health Discrimination bill is being given its second reading in Parliament tomorrow and seeks to amend 4 pieces of legislation in order to help reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by those who are mentally ill.

As it currently stands, you can;t be signed up for jury duty or hold a directing position in a company if they have even a history of mental illness. You can also lose your seat in government if you've been detained under the Mental Health act in the past and are also unable to hold the position of school governor.

What do you make of these stipulations? Do you think it's right that something is being done to change them? Or i there a good reason for them being there?
Electric_Banana On February 05, 2024




, New Zealand
#2New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 02:26:49
@sister_of_mercy Said

The Mental Health Discrimination bill is being given its second reading in Parliament tomorrow and seeks to amend 4 pieces of legislation in order to help reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by those who are mentally ill.

As it currently stands, you can;t be signed up for jury duty or hold a directing position in a company if they have even a history of mental illness. You can also lose your seat in government if you've been detained under the Mental Health act in the past and are also unable to hold the position of school governor.

What do you make of these stipulations? Do you think it's right that something is being done to change them? Or i there a good reason for them being there?



Everyone is crackers in their own little ways.

What ultimately matters is rather or not they are

John Wayne Gacy 'nuts'

or

Rod Serling 'nuts'
Electric_Banana On February 05, 2024




, New Zealand
#3New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 02:27:11
*Edit* Forum is taking a dump.
townie_guy On May 07, 2013

Deleted



, United Kingdom
#4New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 07:03:16
Cant wait for a Schozpphrenic Prime Minister. Will make things interesting.

Or a Bi-Polar jury.
sister_of_mercy On March 11, 2015




London, United Kingdom
#5New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 07:30:07
@townie_guy Said

Cant wait for a Schozpphrenic Prime Minister. Will make things interesting.

Or a Bi-Polar jury.



If their health does stop them from functioning in that capacity then obviously they wouldn't be allowed, just like if the person had cancer or any other disabling illness.

My concern is that you're not allowed on a jury if you've had a mental illness in the past, even if you've got better since then. It cuts a rather large percentage of people out of the jury pool for no reason. That is rather discriminatory imo.
scardycat On May 17, 2014




, Australia
#6New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 11:23:52
May be they have this law especially for something like jury duty because with mental illness you can relapse anytime. The person may not have had a mental problem for years and if for an example theres something in the case this could cause someone to relapse. Even people with mental illness dont always know what the triggers are so I think for all concerned those in the court case and the person with the illness to me I think its better they dont do it
CaLyPsO On June 04, 2022
spankable deity





kent, United Kingdom
#7New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 11:43:10
people can recover from this type of illness as with others..it is disgusting to not let them have the same chances...it is just the same as saying someone who has recovered from cancer cant do the same and cant run for government..as long as it is shown that they have recovered like any illness then i think it should be treated equally and they have the same rights....i agree that people like employers and that should know there is a history like any illness when applying for things.
scardycat On May 17, 2014




, Australia
#8New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:16:19
@CaLyPsO Said

people can recover from this type of illness as with others..it is disgusting to not let them have the same chances...it is just the same as saying someone who has recovered from cancer cant do the same and cant run for government..as long as it is shown that they have recovered like any illness then i think it should be treated equally and they have the same rights....i agree that people like employers and that should know there is a history like any illness when applying for things.



Mental health issues just doesnt go away there always there you can be fine for years then bang you can relapes from something happening or something destressing. That anxiety comes back
sister_of_mercy On March 11, 2015




London, United Kingdom
#9New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 13:51:27
@scardycat Said

Mental health issues just doesnt go away there always there you can be fine for years then bang you can relapes from something happening or something destressing. That anxiety comes back



That's true but does that give anyone the right to withhold civil privileges on the off chance that a person will relapse at some point?

A lot of mental illnesses can be rather manageable, doesn't mean they're necessarily going to have an episode or anything.
scardycat On May 17, 2014




, Australia
#10New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 14:53:34
@sister_of_mercy Said

That's true but does that give anyone the right to withhold civil privileges on the off chance that a person will relapse at some point?

A lot of mental illnesses can be rather manageable, doesn't mean they're necessarily going to have an episode or anything.


Yes I know what your getting at but How are they going to know someones not going to have an eposide. I just think it would be hard to work out whos going to be able to do like jury duty and who cant because the person may come across stable but arent. I just think it becomes too complicated.
ninozara On April 30, 2020




Cheshire, United Kingdom
#11New Post! Sep 14, 2012 @ 15:18:48
I think it is great news.

Anyone can have mental health issues, at any point. Just because someone hasn't had problems, doesn't make them 'safe'. Especially when you are talking about high pressure jobs, like MD/CEO.

And really, someone who has had them in the past will probably be more aware of their issue (as will friends and family). I have friends and family who have had issues (bi-polar, depression etc) and they are much closer with their GP's than most people and very on the ball about their mental health.

And maybe everyone doing those kinds of jobs should have check ups...not sure too many people would pass though
CaLyPsO On June 04, 2022
spankable deity





kent, United Kingdom
#12New Post! Sep 19, 2012 @ 22:17:09
@scardycat Said

Mental health issues just doesnt go away there always there you can be fine for years then bang you can relapes from something happening or something destressing. That anxiety comes back



people can recover and live very normal lives...my father had a breakdown and recovered so your wrong hun...he never lapsed or went back to how he was x
sister_of_mercy On March 11, 2015




London, United Kingdom
#13New Post! Sep 19, 2012 @ 22:22:40
Update- apparently the ban is being lifted afterall.

link

Yay

Quote:
The government has backed moves to end a ban on people who have had serious mental health issues being MPs, company directors or serving on juries.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "The government is doing a huge amount to try and remove some of the stigma surrounding mental illness, and I am delighted to be able to support this private member's bill, which addresses a problem in the House of Commons - my own workplace.

"It's ludicrous in this day and age that a person can't contribute to public life if they've had issues with their mental health.

"Discrimination like this has no place in modern society and it is right that these rules are repealed."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was "right" to change the law and his party was backing the bill.

"Attitudes towards mental health are changing but we still have further to go to reduce the taboo that surrounds mental health, and this is an important step towards equality.

"These changes will help to bring public understanding and attitudes towards mental health into the 21st Century," he said.
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