Manawatu Standard
The Issue
On 7 February the Manawatu Standard published a letter by Like Minds Mid-Central Region Co-ordinator Diana Oomen in which she responded to a news item that implied a link between mental illness and violence, as well as to a reader's text that presented a negative view of mental illness.
The paper subsequently (14 February) published a letter by John Bent of Palmerston North, who suggested that the Like Minds programme was diverting attention from the realities of serious mental illness.
Letter from John Bent to Manawatu Standard (in response to Diana Oomen's letter)
Quote:
[Diana Oomen] once again seeks to divert your readers' attention from the realities of Severe Mental Illness, SMI.
The police and others are often well aware of people in whom one or more of the predictors of violence ... in those with SMI are present ...
The use of euphemisms, in my view, promotes stigma just as does bodies such as Like Minds Like Mine as the basis of propaganda is a denial of reality.
The Response
Letter to the editor of the Manawatu Standard:
To the editor,
Recent letters to the editor have addressed the perceived link between violence and mental illness, and referred to the Ministry of Health's Like Minds, Like Mine programme.
Like Minds, Like Mine reduces stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. The programme uses factual information and personal stories to communicate the realities about mental illness, and break down the myths and misconceptions that lead to discrimination. So the suggestion by one correspondent that Like Minds, Like Mine denies reality couldn't be further from the truth. It's all about providing the real stories and making sure people with experience of mental illness are treated fairly.
Here are some of the realities about violence and mental illness: The vast majority of people with mental illness are no more likely than anyone else to commit a violent crime. In fact, research has shown that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
Severe mental illness alone is not a cause of violence. Rather, in statistical terms, there is an increased risk of violence when three factors are combined: current experience of symptoms of severe mental illness, not having effective treatment, and abusing alcohol and / or drugs. It is important to note that only some people with these three risk factors will commit acts of violence, and that most will not. Moreover, the strongest risk factors for violence are not attributable to mental illness or substance abuse - they are having a past history of violence and threatening to commit acts of violence in the future.
New Zealand research has also countered the misconception that the shift to community-based care for mental illness led to increase in violent crime. A study looking at homicide rates from 1970 to 2000 showed that while the overall homicide rate increased substantially during this time, the number of homicides by people with serious mental illness did not.
To be fair to the many people in our families and communities with experience of mental illness, it's important that we continue to counter the myths and misconceptions that can lead to discrimination.
Sincerely,
Judi Clements
Chief Executive
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
You too can respond to media coverage that you believe is stigmatising or discriminatory. Visit our Media Watch section for a step-by-step guide on how to make a complaint.
