Independent Living Needs Support

Many people understand that in the social model people with impairments/experiencing mental distress/difficulties need support to overcome disabling barriers. Yet in Mental Health Services this support is increasingly conditional on ‘recovering’ so the support can then be stopped. For those with long-term conditions, this amounts to being victim blamed and shamed for always needing support. This can amount to a form of disability denial. We are working hard enough already just being alive without also being stigmatised as not trying hard enough to get better, and fit in with social and economic expectations of being ’normal and productive’.