On Saturday, Plaid Ifanc Llanelli presented a motion to the Plaid Cymru Conference in Aberystwyth. The motion was to have Mental Health added to PSE in order to start the conversation about Mental Health early and to help End the Stigma attached.
Brett John, Plaid Ifanc Llanelli Chairman took to the stage with a well spoken, well thought out speech which pointed out how Mental Health is treated differently to Physical Health.
Brett said:
“We propose to tackle the stigma in Secondary Education by including it in the curriculum as part of Personal and Social Education – a pivotal stage in a young person’s life for them to realise that this issue is simply too serious to be brushed under the carpet.”
Ffion Rees, Plaid Ifanc Llanelli Secretary then took to the stage with a very emotive speech giving great insight into her battles with Mental Health. She went on to point out that she is looking to go into Mental Health Nursing and is building her way with her education to get there.
Ffion added:
“This is our, your big chance to make the change that we need for mental health services and education improved across Wales. During my psychology lecture, we learned about schizophrenia and had to do a test which unsurprisingly most of the class had wrong. In a few years, I will hopefully begin training to be mental health nurse in order to play my part in abolishing the stigma attached to mental health and start the discussion.”
The motion was seconded by Sean Rees, Plaid Llanelli Campaign Manager who used his personal insight into Mental Health but not his struggles but a very close friend. Sean was emotive, he spoke with great passion and highlighted how many who suffer with Mental Health have been and where they are and feel when suffering. Sean said his friend was a confident outgoing person who recently turned to Sean and asked what had happened to them, what had they done to deserve to this as they are a shadow of there former self.
Sean continued:
“It’s o.k to talk about mental health. It’s not a weakness, it’s not a moral shortcoming and it’s not something people brought on themselves. If mental health could be seen on a sufferer maybe society would think twice. Just because you can’t see a bandage it doesn’t mean a person should receive less help.”
“It is up to us in the Party of Wales to provide that stronger voice for the most vulnerable to make and be that difference”.
The motion was passed with full backing and will now be placed as policy within Plaid Cymru.
The one thing that rings out from seeing the response on the motion from those in the conference or those on social media who have responded in very positive way is that this is an issue very close to peoples heart’s and everyone needs to help End the Stigma attached to it. Mental Health is as important as Physical Health and needs to be seen that way, no longer should it be a hushed subjected and those who are suffering shouldn’t be made to feel like they should deal with it on their own.
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