Mental Health and Frank Bruno

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Richmond Informer on Mon 29th Sep 2003

It is tempting to indulge in petty point scoring after the Brent East bye election. But I want to highlight instead a big tabloid story: the sectioning of Frank Bruno under the Mental Health Act.

I am struck by the casual contempt of the language: 'Bonkers Bruno', 'barking mad', complete nutter'. We would - rightly - never dare to describe the physically ill or disabled or mentally handicapped in that way.

Mental illness is as common as cancer or strokes. It will affect many of our relatives and friends. I still painfully remember, as a ten year old, my mother being taken to what my friends called the 'loony bin', (she had post natal depression after my brother's birth and recovered). My most vivid memory of student life is a long night when a friend suffered a total nervous breakdown: Many of us will end our days - like Harold Wilson or Ronald Reagan - with dementia.

Yet there is widespread ignorance about mental illness Professionals are very poor at explaining it simply. Ignorance often translates into fear.

As an MP, I have become a magnet for some seriously disturbed people. They often feel persecuted and terrified by forced treatment, especially electric shock therapy. Yet their carers or neighbours can be frightened or exhausted by strange and disruptive behaviour and often seek to have the mentally ill moved or locked away. There is a growing consensus that Care in the Community has let down the mentally ill and has alienated the community.

What is certain is that mental health is under resourced. There is a chronic shortage of mental nurses and doctors. Drugs are seriously rationed. Local facilities - at Pagoda Ward or Tolworth are - frankly - a disgrace. Maybe Frank Bruno will help shine some light on this forgotten corner of the NHS.