Attacks on the welfare system is creating psychological damage
One of Scotland’s leading mental health charities is demanding politicians from all parties lead with "compassion and clarity" after days of attacks on people on welfare.
The charity said changes to the system are leaving those reliant on it “demonised.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced yesterday changes to the welfare budget which will leave thousands of people with mental health issues worse off.
Penumbra has seen demand treble in the past five years, as a greater number of people experiencing mental ill-health seek support from us when they need it most and said it was “deeply concerned about worrying changes being planned for the UK welfare system” especially Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Chief executive Mike Burns said reducing the welfare system, which is fundamentally there to support those who need it most, is an attack on society’s most vulnerable people by the very system designed to mitigate the challenges they face.
He added: “Driving people into poverty will have a significant impact on their mental health and make Penumbra’s vision of recovery more difficult to fulfil as demand for our services will undoubtedly reach far beyond those we are currently able to support.”
The organisation’s peer support model, where people with lived experience deliver transformative services to those in crisis, demonstrates that recovery is most meaningful through social prescribing and good support.
“As a society it is one of our proudest achievements that those most vulnerable, our friends and neighbours feel empowered to seek help when they need it,” said Burns.
“This is possible because we see recovery all around us. It is this societal change in behaviour, driven by the widespread understanding mental illness will be experienced by most of us at some point, that is increasing diagnosis and therefore increasing help and support.
“I call on the UK health minister Wes Streeting to rescind his recent statement that falsely suggested mental health conditions are over diagnosed.
“Instead of demonising or othering people, we should acknowledge that a greater number of people feel empowered to seek help when they need it most, is something we all benefit from.”
