David Nicholson spoke to BETH WINTER about her bid to become a Senedd member as an independent running on a community grassroots campaign
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Discrimination and stigma from diagnosis to death
RUTH HUNT looks at why those with a severe mental illness, who can die up to a decade younger than others, need better understanding and support when accessing all forms of healthcare
When only wealthier families can afford nursery, childcare becomes a class divide - financially and developmentally. REBECCA CARTER reports
Can the unity built between the Camden People’s Alliance and the Green Party make an electoral breakthrough on the PM’s home territory this week? ANDREW MURRAY talks to some of those involved
Plaid Cymru’s Caerffili by-election win raised hopes on the left — but the complex realities of Wales suggest the Senedd election may be far less predictable, argues CATRIN ASHTON
Politicians must seize the opportunity to act boldly and tackle land inequality, delivering power to local communities, writes Dr JOSH DOBLE
Disabled tenant RUTH HUNT found herself evicted by her landlord of 10 years after asking for repairs. She explains why the end of no-fault evictions is cause for celebration
THE pandemic and lockdowns have focused minds on the mental health of the nation, with a strong focus on what is happening with the young. But the difficulties faced by those with a severe mental illness (SMI) have been long in the making, with stigma affecting them whether they are at the start or the end of their lives.
Stigma permeates all aspects of life, so while there has been a lot of focus on combatting it within some aspects of society, the destructive power within the medical community has not had the same attention.
Such problems can be present from both mental health staff and those medics treating someone with a physical complaint who they know also has a mental health diagnosis, leading to what is called “diagnostic overshadowing.” This is when a patient has a diagnosis, for example depression and there is a tendency for any other health problems to be attributed to that condition.
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