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The scourge of restrictive practices in mental health care: ‘It just muted me’
The lack of NHS mental health provision for young people has led to many placements, out of sight and out of mind, in so-called ‘specialist,’ privately run units. This comes at great cost for all involved, writes RUTH HUNT

ALTHOUGH the NHS hands over vast sums to independent mental health service providers, those who have lost loved ones or have been damaged by long periods of restrictive practices, often have to fight to be even acknowledged — let alone get real justice.
For those who have been in these units either as patients or staff, there’s a feeling of relief they have survived. But they also have a need to share their stories, to add further weight to the call to shut these expensive units down and end unsafe restrictive practices.
Steph had a dream of working in mental health, using her own personal experiences and in turn, helping those who are going through similar turmoil.
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