Mental Health Does Not Discriminate

Disclaimer: This article uses trigger wording of a sensitive nature, readers discretion is advised before proceeding. If you are worried about the impact of these proposed budget cuts, please know that you are not alone. Many campaigners, activists, and organizations are actively working to challenge and overturn these harmful policies. There is strength in numbers, and together, we can fight for a fairer and more compassionate system. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to support groups, charities, or mental health professionals—help is available. Mental health does not discriminate. It does not care about your gender, religion, race, social status, or financial standing. Whether you are rich or poor, a CEO or a factory worker, an academic or an artist, mental health struggles can affect you. Life’s pressures, past experiences, and unforeseen crises can trigger mental health deterioration in anyone. https://www.samaritans.org/

The Looming Crisis of Government Neglect: Mental Health Can Deteriorate in Anyone—Regardless of Background

One of the most significant contributors to declining mental health is trauma. Trauma can take many forms, and its impact can be long-lasting and devastating. Some of the most common traumatic experiences include:

Childhood abuse or neglect
Domestic violence
Loss of a loved one
Loss of a child
Loss of a parent(s)
Chronic illness or disability
War and displacement
Homelessness
Financial hardship
Loss of a job
Workplace bullying
Discrimination and social exclusion
Relationship breakdowns
Natural disasters
Accidents or near-death experiences
Witnessing violence or crime
Sexual assault

Each of these experiences can profoundly affect an individual’s mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts. With adequate support, there is a fraction of people who can recover and lead fulfilling lives. However, the consequences become dire when a government actively undermines the social safety net.

The Impact of Proposed Benefit Cuts: A Dangerous Gamble with Human Lives

The government’s proposed benefit cuts threaten to push countless vulnerable individuals into despair. Cutting essential support for the disabled, unemployed, and those struggling with the cost of living is not just cruel—it is dangerous.

Such cuts will have a domino effect:

Increased Crime: When people are left with no means to survive, desperation will drive some towards theft, fraud, and other criminal activities just to put food on the table.
Increased Alcohol Abuse: Many individuals struggling with trauma and financial hardship turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, leading to addiction, deteriorating mental and physical health, and an increased burden on healthcare services.
Increased Drug Abuse: Desperation and hopelessness often push people toward substance abuse as an escape from reality, increasing crime rates, homelessness, and overdoses, further straining emergency services.
Increased Homelessness: When people cannot afford rent or mortgage payments due to financial cuts, they risk losing their homes, leading to a surge in rough sleeping, worsening mental health conditions, and additional strain on social services.
Extra Pressure on the NHS: The mental and physical toll of poverty will lead to a surge in hospital admissions, overburdening an already stretched healthcare system.
Rising Debt: People will be forced to rely on loans, credit cards, and high-interest borrowing just to afford basic necessities, pushing them further into financial ruin.
Deaths by Starvation: As benefits are slashed, more individuals and families will struggle to afford even the most basic sustenance, leading to malnutrition and starvation.
Increased Suicide Rates: The hopelessness and isolation that come with extreme financial hardship will undoubtedly result in more suicides. People who feel abandoned by their government and society may see no way out.

The government is playing an extremely dangerous game with people’s lives. These cuts are not just a matter of policy—they are a direct attack on the most vulnerable members of society. Instead of providing support and ensuring access to mental health care, the government is creating a crisis that will have irreversible consequences.

A Message to Policy Makers: What If It Were You?

Have you ever considered what would happen if you were to experience trauma so severe that you could no longer work? What if a sudden accident, a devastating personal loss, or a mental health breakdown left you unable to fulfill your political roles? Imagine waking up every day with crippling anxiety or depression, unable to function, unable to work, and watching your financial stability crumble.

What if, as a result, you found yourself unable to afford your mortgage payments? Imagine the fear of losing your home, the sleepless nights wondering how you would feed your family. What if you were suddenly treated as just another statistic in a broken welfare system, forced to navigate the humiliating and dehumanizing process of applying for benefits—only to be told that you were not entitled to enough to survive?

Would you accept being told to ‘just get a job’ when your mental health prevented you from even getting out of bed? Would you feel it was fair to be judged by a system that sees you as a burden rather than a human being in need of support?

This is the harsh reality for millions of people. The policies you promote and implement do not just exist on paper—they have real, devastating consequences for real people. If the same fate were to befall you, would you still believe in cutting the very safety nets that keep people alive?

Speaking with Laura Kuenssberg: Wes Streeting’s Questionable Stance on Mental Health

During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Wes Streeting stated that he agreed with experts’ warnings that mental health issues might be overdiagnosed while simultaneously acknowledging that mental health services are at a ‘breaking point.’

Streeting went on to say: ‘Here’s the other thing, mental well-being, illness, it’s a spectrum and I think definitely there’s an overdiagnosis, but there are too many people being written off.’

This raises an important question—what qualifications does Wes Streeting have to make such sweeping statements about mental health diagnoses? Is he a healthcare professional? Has he worked in the field of mental health? What experience does he have to dictate to the nation about so-called ‘overdiagnosis’ and, in doing so, undermine the expertise of doctors and mental health specialists?

For context, Wes Streeting is the Labour MP for Ilford North and the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. His background is in politics, not medicine or mental health care. Yet, here he is, weighing in on complex psychiatric diagnoses as though he were an expert. If the NHS in England is eventually abolished, will MPs suddenly take over as doctors too? Perhaps the next logical step is to have politicians diagnosing and treating patients instead of trained professionals (sarcasm intended).

A Call for Action

Mental health should never be an afterthought. The government must recognize that stripping people of financial support is not a cost-cutting measure—it is a death sentence for many. We must demand better policies that prioritize human dignity, mental well-being, and access to resources.

If we do not act now, we will see an unprecedented rise in suffering, crime, and death.

Mental health does not discriminate—but government policies do, and they are failing the very people they are supposed to protect.

Conclusion

Trauma’s impact on mental health is profound and often enduring. While some individuals may navigate a path to recovery, many continue to struggle with long-term effects that permeate various aspects of their lives. The spectrum of mental health is vast, and trauma can manifest in diverse ways, including:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
Anxiety Disorders: Persistent feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear.
Depression: A pervasive sense of sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety related to a traumatic event.

It’s imperative that individuals who have endured trauma receive empathy and support, rather than judgment or dismissal. Subjecting them to further scrutiny or invalidation only exacerbates their struggles.

Notably, some Members of Parliament have courageously shared their personal battles with mental health issues, fostering a culture of openness and understanding:

Charles Walker: The Conservative MP for Broxbourne openly discussed his experience with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), describing himself as a “practicing fruitcake” and detailing his compulsions, such as the need to perform actions in multiple of four. The Guardian
Kevan Jones: The Labour MP for North Durham spoke candidly about his struggle with depression, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health openly and the challenges men face in seeking help. BBC

Their willingness to share personal experiences underscores the reality that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their position or status. It also highlights the necessity for a compassionate approach to those dealing with the aftermath of trauma.