Media Release: More Discussion Needed on Controversial Mental Health Treatments
Changing Minds reveals confusion and lack of knowledge are rife when it comes to some of the current treatments for mental health issues.
The Changing Minds Film Festival, held late last year, concluded with a panel discussion about current issues within social change movements in relation to film-making, particularly in the mental health sector. The discussion inevitably touched on some controversial topics, including electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), seclusion, and informed consent.
A video of the panel discussion, released earlier today, demonstrates some of the polarised views that have emerged in the use of such treatments. One audience member stated: “I wish to know about the practice of electric shock treatment. Is that still permitted? I think that it shouldn’t be, and what is being done about it?” A discussion on the pros and cons of this particular “treatment” and the paradigm in which it exists continued from here.
‘Mental Notes’ a film by Jim Marbrook released last year, alerted many to the human rights atrocities of past psychiatric interventions in New Zealand’s history. One panel member in the video relays her experience of watching the film: “…what was so devastating about Jim’s film was listening to stories of people being restrained and then punished for trying to voice what they were feeling.”
Changing Minds advocate for a movement beyond the current technical paradigm to explain “mental illness” to examine social, environmental, physical, and other causal effects on mental health-related problems. This relates also to the types of treatments available to people. There is a push from many mental health service-users toward a stronger focus on social support and care opportunities for those experiencing mental health issues, rather than purely pharmacological interventions.
Changing Minds hopes to hold public forums on some of the issues raised in the video later this year.
The panel discussion videos can be viewed here.
Latest Tweets
Changing Minds launched an awareness campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week (8-13 October 2012) in order to celebrate Auckland’s diversity and the rich knowledge and unique stories that each individual carries with them. Each portrait contains a personal message from its subject about wellbeing, resilience, and creative ways of viewing ourselves and our communities.
The photos in this series were all taken by Jenna Todd
February 7, 2013 at 11:19 am -
I had had quite a bit of ECT some years ago, on three of my breakdowns. I was not consulted, well may be I was not fit to be consulted, or asked for permission. I know later that it involves electro shock and I am not in a position to say whether it is dangerous or not but electro shock, that sounds scary. Anyway I was never told that I was given ECT or what kind of treatment that was, even when I was sound enough to understand or know. Should patients be explained about that kind of treatment and give consent when they are well enough to do so? That’s a question I want to know even though I am well and have recovered from my bipolar disorder.
February 7, 2013 at 11:46 pm -
Kia Ora Anne. Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your story. I’m sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with this treatment. Every person who is being given a “treatment” like this, we believe, should certainly be consulted first, given information about the pros and cons, information about the efficacy of the “treatment”, and alternative options. Unfortunately, we hear too many cases of misuse, similar to your story Anne. This is why we feel it is important for the public to know that this is happening – so that we can all look at this issue and come up with the best practice solution for the use of ECT and other controversial treatments. Solutions that, most importantly, are useful and successful for the person accessing mental health services.