Johnson slammed for linking mental ill-health with violent crime
Mentality: Boris Johnson explains his own dodgy thought processes to a camera in Downing Street.
Boris Johnson take note: People with mental health issues are more likely to be victims of government than perpetrators of crime.
The so-called prime minister was caught running down people who have trouble with their mental health in his first so-called “People’s PMQs” on Facebook yesterday (August 14):
The prime minister has been criticised for broadly linking mental health issues to various kinds of crime across the UK.
Mental health charity Mind, said Boris Johnson should exercise caution in the associating violent crime with mental health problems and pointed out that people who suffer from mental health problems are more likely to be at risk themselves than the other way round.
Mr Johnson was speaking during his first Facebook Live “People’s PMQs”, in which he answered questions from the public.
Karl in Stourbridge apparently asked the prime minister whether he agreed “mental health services are a cornerstone of modern Britain’s health needs”, and what Mr Johnson would do to protect and advance them.
In responding to the question, Mr Johnson said: “I’ve been doing a lot in the last few days about crime, trying to tackle crime, but so many of the problems of crime and youth crime and youth violence and indeed crime of all kinds, are associated with mental health problems.”
Louise Rubin, parliamentary manager at Mind, said: “The vast majority of us experiencing mental health problems are unlikely to ever pose a risk to others. We are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.”
It seems BoJob was giving away far more information about his own mentality than that of anyone with a diagnosed mental health problem.
But let us remember that successive Conservative governments from 2010 onwards have demonised people with long-term illnesses and disabilities – especially mental health issues.
For years, mental health was not considered a useful indicator of illness or disability. People with mental ill-health were told they did not have a problem and denied benefits.
On the streets they were vilified as “shirkers”, “skivers” or “scroungers” – we all know the language by now.
Many were driven to their deaths – either by being unable to afford life’s basics or via suicide.
And the Department for Work and Pensions – a government organisation working for Mr Johnson – consistently denies any responsibility for these deaths.
It is in this context that we should consider Boris Johnson’s words.
Then we should tell him: If he wants to find someone whose mental attitude has caused harm to other people, all he has to do is look in a mirror.
Source: Boris Johnson criticised by charity for linking mental health with violent crime | The Independent
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He’s a disgrace. Boris never answers the question. He wasn’t asked about crime, or about any links between crime and mental health. He was asked about Health provision. Just answer the question Boris, don’t try to think – it doesn’t suit you. And don’t try to worm your way out of it or twist it into an unwarranted attack against those less advantaged than yourself. Don’t attempt to shift the blame on to some innocent unrelated party. Just ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!! Is that too much to ask?
I suppose it depends on your definition of mental health the vast majority are vulnerable but there are the psychopaths who are possibly violent and murderous
Barry, many Psychopaths do well in Business and Politics where they really can be dangerous.
It’s so sad that an empty vessel can hold so much power.
Well said. I am afraid he gives me the creeps. The fact he says what he says next to the Union Jack is very unhealthy and… very spooky. God help us.
I, think Mr Johnson would, quite frankly, have answered any question with a self-congratulatory boast along these lines. The fact that the question was about mental health was irrelevant. He always comes out with what he wants to tell us, irrespective of the question. It’s what he does.
Just what did the Liebour Party do for the mentally ill during 13 years in government?
They couldn’t even build a single house for social housing!!!
You’re badly mistaken.
Under Labour, between 1997 and 2010, around 251,000 social homes were built. That’s according to Full Fact.
Mental health was a priority for the New Labour government of 1997-2010, with a target to reduce deaths through suicide and undetermined injury. The rate of suicide in 2008-10 was 7.9 persons per 100,000, which is a 13.4% decrease from the 1995-97 baseline figure of 9.2 deaths, indicating an improvement in the general population mortality rates from suicide and injury of undetermined intent during Labour’s period in power. That’s according to the LSE.
Regardless of what idiotic answers he gave, it’s funny how the Tories ridiculed Jeremy Corbyn for asking questions from the public, and they are now doing the same…