The Abandoned Illness

"The message that comes through loud and clear is that people are being badly let down by the system in every area of their lives." 
Professor Sir Robin Murray, Commission Chair, The Schizophrenia Commission

This week saw the publication of The Schizophrenia Commission's year long enquiry into schizophrenia and psychosis. It was carried out in England, but is clearly of interest here in Wales, where many of the issues will be relevant. It concluded that a major overhaul of schizophrenia services was required.

You can read and download the report here on the Commission's website. 

There is a BBC news story about the report here.

I first heard about the report early on Wednesday when I woke to Robin Murray speaking on Radio 4's Today programme about how schizophrenia is often triggered by a traumatic life event. He suggested that many people may be genetically vulnerable to developing schizophrenia, but not all do as they may never experience the trauma which could spark the schizophrenia or psychosis. Others do, and that trauma could be anything from bereavement, to losing a job, to witnessing a crime - well, anything traumatic in effect. 

Hafal, the mental health charity, has some useful information about schizophrenia here.

Do you have any experiences of schizophrenia services in Mid Wales? Let us know what you think.