Autism acceptance, week

 

Welcome to Wednesday. We are halfway through the week. 

This week is World autism acceptance week. it runs from the 2nd of April to the 8th of April.

The national autistic society have published a few statistics to raise awareness this week.

There are many aspects to autism, many of which are less well known.

Have you heard of, for example, hyperlexia? 

Or that 70% of people with autism, experience mental health problems.? Much more information on both of these topics is available from the National autistic Society.

Too many people are failed by mental health services. 

Despite calls for parity, Spend on mental health services is still far below that of physical health services.

In 2021–22, the NHS spent £12.0 billion on mental health services, around 9% of its total budget. This piece of information come from the UK government Report progress in improving NHS mental health services, Published in July last year. 2022/23, the NHS plans to spend £12.8 bn on mental health services, which is 8.1% of the total NHS budget.

This is the same UK government who, in 2012, enshrined in law Parity of esteem”  - the principle by which mental health must be given equal priority to physical health. 8% falls far short of parity.

That law is the health and social care act of 2012.

That is one whole year before the tragic death of Fiona, and her beloved children. Fiona lived in Lowestoft, A town beside the sea at England’s most easterly point.

Fiona sought support for her mental health struggles. From the response she received, Fiona was left fearing that her children would be taken into care .

Fiona was experiencing extraordinary emotional distress and though there were many problems in her life, The response of mental health services and availability of mental health support should not have been one of them. 

The comparisons of physical and mental health support our stark: over 75% of people with heart disease are in treatment, for people with diabetes or hypertension more than 90% are in treatment. Conversely only 25% of people with depression or anxiety receive treatment.

Had Fiona been experiencing heart, disease, diabetes, or hypertension, she would now be recovering and her devastated parents would be celebrating a fourth grandchild.

Instead Fiona took the life of all of her children, herself, and that of her unborn child.

What have you  - as an employer, as a colleague, as a team or as an individual done so far this week to raise awareness of autism? One of you done so far this week in support of mental health. we’re halfway through the week. what can you do to support the great diversity of your colleagues or your prospective colleagues? 
Let me know your thoughts.







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