social systems are not socialism.
Errol Graham RIP
- Thread starter stockhausen
- Start date
Yea, I read about this a little while ago and found the story incredibly sad, it really upset me.
But no system is infallible and people do fall through the cracks, add in what is obviously a severe mental illness/depression and the chances of falling through the cracks increase greatly. My first thought was where were his family, but then again, I've got family members I haven't spoken to in many many years, they could be in any state afaik.
So no, it's not all the "benefits systems" fault in this case, even though the system does often contribute to peoples hardships rather than help, this does seem like a perfect storm resulting in a horrifically sad case
But no system is infallible and people do fall through the cracks, add in what is obviously a severe mental illness/depression and the chances of falling through the cracks increase greatly. My first thought was where were his family, but then again, I've got family members I haven't spoken to in many many years, they could be in any state afaik.
So no, it's not all the "benefits systems" fault in this case, even though the system does often contribute to peoples hardships rather than help, this does seem like a perfect storm resulting in a horrifically sad case
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Associate
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Yep that was my point - I do think people need to be made aware of the warning signs so family / friend could step in but if you balance that against a totally unfair (and often cruel) assessment system it's a pretty lopsided state of affairs.
My mate at work had a sick note, pretty sure it was depression, I messaged him every day asked how he was doing, it's easy to not do that. My other friend took himself off Facebook, didn't respond to any of us on WhatsApp, he has a wife etc but I sent him a few texts and eventually he got back to me when he felt better and I made the effort to go through and see him and we had a night out. You've got to make the effort with your friends if you know they're feeling down, I wouldn't expect that from the government
Soldato
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How one no free food packages delivered, or food banks?
Soldato
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It is all to do with the government. They make the rules that lead to people like this starving to death because they cant get any help due to government policies.
Imaging the NHS said to you no we cant help you with your health problems you need to sort your problems out yourself. Id have thought out of all people you would be more understanding of the need for help from others in authority.
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Not everyone knows they exist and many of them struggle to meet demand in recent years. Aside from that, depression in its most acute form can cause people to simply shut down - they start physically neglecting themselves, staying in bed for days at a time etc.
Exactly, if you don't reach out or even worse, push away help due to your depression, then the help just won't be there.
This guy was obviously in an unthinkably bad mental state and just not functioning to allow himself to slowly starve to death.
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I have no idea who you are or what your posting history is but I think you will accept that our Government of the past decade could never be described as "Socialist" or of displaying much interest in maintaining a "Welfare system". Sadly this perspective seems to be all too widely supported by the public at large - who may come to regret their selfishness - too late.
I hope you are wrong but fear that you may be right, there are much more important threads with pictures of what people bought their cats for tea and what they use to tell the time or stop their trousers ending up around their ankles
People who suffer from depression and/or who have mental health issues make one so uncomfortable - best to change seats or pass by on the other side of the road
The UK political spectrum over the last 20 yrs has shifted left. I think Cameron was very liberal by today's standards. I agree that the Tories are no socialists but are liberal leaning now. They still maintain social systems that are born out of a socialist ideology. How they maintained them is another matter altogether.
If they were not as liberal as they are now, they could have pushed for more conservative reforms and abolished things like same sex marriage but they know the general population would not accept that.
Soldato
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Or turn them into political ammunition?People who suffer from depression and/or who have mental health issues make one so uncomfortable - best to change seats or pass by on the other side of the road
Congrats, you finally made the list!
Wasn't it the case that the reason why he lost his benefits was because he didn't turn up for the medical assessment?
A terrible tragedy which really shouldn’t have happened. The unfortunate reality is no system can ensure that everyone is housed, fed and looked after to the extent that we might all like them to be.
The ‘system’ is only capable of so much. RIP to this poor chap.
In the past communities were much closer, it’s sad but in this modern era we are all too keen to argue with someone hundreds of miles away on social media and less likely to see how people down our road or in our block of flats are doing.
The ‘system’ is only capable of so much. RIP to this poor chap.
In the past communities were much closer, it’s sad but in this modern era we are all too keen to argue with someone hundreds of miles away on social media and less likely to see how people down our road or in our block of flats are doing.
The "system" did this because the Tories employed a private company to get as many people off benefits as possible to save the government money. Which it hasn't done. It's been an absolute cluster ****. And has led to suffering and death of the most vulnerable in our society. Apparently the word of qualified health professionals and GPs wasn't enough for the government. So they brought in Capita and a box of unqualified box tickers to refuse everyone their benefits. Only for those people to end up contesting the refusal and using tax payer money to get themselves legal representation and using services such as the CAB, and ultimately having their benefits reinstated.
Capita and every **** that works for it can burn in hell.
Capita and every **** that works for it can burn in hell.
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Sadly, national policies are decided at a remote, impersonal political level - how would YOU address the issue - at a national level - for the unfortunate victims?
I entirely accept that in a perfect world, such people would be supported by their relatives, friends and neighbours. Perhaps they once were, in a kinder past where social cohesion was stronger and "communities" existed. Those days seem now to have been forgotten.
Anyhow, for some reason this unfortunate man with his mental health issues appears to have distanced himself from his natural support. This often seems to be the case, as is perhaps evidenced by people living on the street and/or visiting food banks. Perhaps, as some people here seem to suggest, such people should NOT be helped, they should just lie down and accept the inevitable?
You're a good friend.