Mental Health Solicitors

The UK’s fourth largest trade union Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) has voted in favour of unanimously supporting members with mental health issues.

Delegates to Usdaw’s Annual Delegate Meeting were told by Usdaw general secretary ">John Hannett that negative attitudes towards those with mental health problems had far from disappeared. Mr Hannett said:

“While there is evidence of steady progress in recent decades, certain prejudices and stereotypes remain deeply ingrained within our society and are regularly reinforced by the media.

“The stigma that surrounds this issue leads to people feeling that they have to hide their problems and this in turn prevents people seeking help. It delays treatment and slows down recovery ? it excludes people from every day activities and isolates them.”

Mr Hannett went on to say that stigma “shuts people out” ? and he emphasised the importance of the work Usdaw is undertaking to address mental health issues.

“The more we talk about it, the more we will understand the issue,” Mr Hannett told delegates.

“The union does not expect reps to become mental health professionals and we want reps to be upfront about this with members,” he added. “However, if a member is experiencing problems at work for reasons relating to their mental health, then we can and should get involved,” he said.

The union’s Executive Council Statement passed at the meeting will include guidance to union representatives and Usdaw members on mental health. The ADM statement will also include sections on how the law can help members stay in work or return to work when coping with mental health issues.

‘It tackles the myths and outlines the facts that surround mental health,” said Mr Hannett.

“If a member needs specialist advice, Usdaw reps play a crucial role in enabling members to have some control over their working lives ? and all the evidence shows that the more control a person has over their life, the better their mental health,” he told delegates.

“So Usdaw will do everything possible to support our members with mental health issue,” he added.

Usdaw has 430,000 members and is one of the UK’s fastest growing trade unions, with an increase in membership of 17% in the last five years. Membership has increased by more than one-third in the last 10 years.

Usdaw is primarily for retail workers, but the union also has members working in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, the chemical industry and other trades

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of specialist mental health solicitors and can advise mental health patients on their rights under the Mental Health Act 1983, including issues such as access to services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis is also one of the UK’s leading firms of Legal Aid solicitors and in some cases may be able to advise the next of kin or carer of a mental health patient on issues such as treatment ? and initiating a treatment review, where appropriate.

For expert help with mental health law, contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.