The Importance of Correct Diagnosis
One cannot help noticing in the media lately there are more and more stories about mental health issues in the work place and that so often these sufferers have been misdiagnosed which has caused significant issues for their careers and their family and personal lives.
It never ceases to amaze me that these stories are treated as if it is just one of those things and “hey at least they got it right in the end”. Can you imagine what it like when people are misdiagnosed with cancer or heart conditions, oh wait, these stories do happen and they make the press. However, unlike mental health, these issues are treated as high crimes, enquiries are demanded, people get grovelling apologies. For mental health issues, not so much. Oh there is sympathy, but there is little outrage.
I have said it many times, but until the Department of Health and the general public understands that physical and mental health should be treated as equal, there will never be a true recognition of the importance of good mental health both preventative and treatment. If only those who make the decisions could walk a mile in the moccasins of the sufferers of mental health issues, then perhaps change would finally come and remain.
