|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
News 26th September 2003 The case of Frank Bruno highlights the need for brain research "The illness of Frank Bruno has hit the headlines. Behind the headlines is a desperate need for more research into diseases of the brain" said John Bowis MEP speaking at a brain research conference organised by the European Commission. Millions of people
across Europe suffer from a variety of diseases and mental health problems
such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Epilepsy, Depression and Schizophrenia.
While all differ in the impact they have on patients and their friends
and families, more needs to be done to promote the importance of brain
issues, co-ordinate existing funding more effectively and secure much
needed extra funds for research. "For far too many people, living with a brain disorder or mental illness means being labelled, patronised, despised, feared and, to a greater or lesser extent, segregated - in society, within ones family, at work, at play and even within our health and social services." "Stigma is rampant and stigma is a human rights abuse, unintentional, born of fear and ignorance, but just as damaging to the individual as any other form of abuse. The admission of Frank Bruno to Hospital under the Mental Health Act has brought to the fore the insensitivity of such stigma. The response of some parts of the media to his predicament clearly illustrates the often unintentional brutality of such stigma." Notes: |
