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lisajones · 14-12-2009, 12:07

This is a very leading question.

The government are determined to halve the number of people on sickness benefit and to make life unbearable for the rest unless they go to work.

Our campaign has been to protect people with the severe and enduring mental illnesses of schizophrenia and bi polar and people with very severe physical illness. We have concentrated on them because we think the case for allowing them to be in charge of the decisions about their own lives is so obvious and shouldn't even need to be made.

We aren't ignoring all the other less severe or more transitory illnesses because we agree they should be bullied. Just that as the public doesn't understand the Welfare Reforms at all is seems best to start with an easy case.

The only new thing in the Welfare Reforms is pressure/sanctions/fear/psychological warfare/ threats and bullying. There is no new magic help with problems.

I don't think any one should be treated like this. But a lot of people are cheering the government on and telling them to go out and catch all these mythical scroungers and cheats.

Most people who get an illness get perfectly natural reactive anxiety and depression. The government think CBT and/or pressure will help here. Where and if any fear and pressure is helpful and where it is counter productive is a matter far too complex for me or I suspect the government and the DWP. My instinct is completely against it. Does pressure ever help with depression? I just don't know. I would be happy to join a working group but I can't make the case myself.

Whereas the case against pressurising very sick people makes itself so that is where we are starting.

14-12-2009, 12:07	#132
lisajones Inactive Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8	Re: disability living allowance This is a very leading question. The government are determined to halve the number of people on sickness benefit and to make life unbearable for the rest unless they go to work. Our campaign has been to protect people with the severe and enduring mental illnesses of schizophrenia and bi polar and people with very severe physical illness. We have concentrated on them because we think the case for allowing them to be in charge of the decisions about their own lives is so obvious and shouldn't even need to be made. We aren't ignoring all the other less severe or more transitory illnesses because we agree they should be bullied. Just that as the public doesn't understand the Welfare Reforms at all is seems best to start with an easy case. The only new thing in the Welfare Reforms is pressure/sanctions/fear/psychological warfare/ threats and bullying. There is no new magic help with problems. I don't think any one should be treated like this. But a lot of people are cheering the government on and telling them to go out and catch all these mythical scroungers and cheats. Most people who get an illness get perfectly natural reactive anxiety and depression. The government think CBT and/or pressure will help here. Where and if any fear and pressure is helpful and where it is counter productive is a matter far too complex for me or I suspect the government and the DWP. My instinct is completely against it. Does pressure ever help with depression? I just don't know. I would be happy to join a working group but I can't make the case myself. Whereas the case against pressurising very sick people makes itself so that is where we are starting.