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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity READ ONLINE

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Asking not begging

December 01 2024

On the difficulties finding support with serious mental health issues. By Greta Gillett

I have an SMI: serious mental illness. The categories are schizophrenia, bipolar personality disorder and psychosis. I suffer with being both unstable and experiencing psychosis. And yet I am not seen by doctors, under a care plan, or on any medication (for my mental health; I take a lot for the physical).

Those who are or have been homeless have a high possibility of having SMI – significantly higher than the general population.

Mental health problems are often associated with being an addict, impoverished or just a bit weird. You win the prize if you tick all three! Despite that, there is evidenced and researched and agreed understanding that SMI is most often developed from childhood trauma and adversity.

Accessing mental health support is a lottery, not only a postcode one, but one dependent on how well you can articulate your health concerns, your needs and what is happening right now inside your grey matter.

If, like me, you become unwell and are ignored despite sitting up straight and speaking nicely – yet still nothing happens – you feel like you are being made to beg or demand, worsening your mental health.

In your mind you are the little girl asking for attention, or love, or time, or food once again.

Homeless people can often stay away from soup kitchens and food banks because it can feel like begging and therefore be intrinsically traumatic and triggering.

There is a radical idea that you should be able to access much-needed mental health support, food, housing and benefits without either:

  1. Playing a game of sitting up straight and speaking nicely (despite being unwell or distressed)
  2. Begging like Oliver Twist with your wooden bowl.

“Utopia!” I hear you say, but is a fair and just society a fantasy, or is it simply one where prevention and support exists in abundance?


Finding Help

You are entitled to sign up to a GP, you don’t need an address.
Visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp to register.

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December 2024 – January 2025 : Solidarity

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