What really matters?

A short article published yesterday by The BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) might be of interest to folks at 7 Cups:

Outcomes for mental health services—what matters most for patients?

In moments of crisis, people turn to services not just for a diagnosis, medical treatment or social support, but for sanctuary, to alleviate symptoms of illness, to help make sense of what has happened to them. They look for support in grieving, in recovering their voice, in rekindling hope. They look to services to address the stigma that comes with a mental health diagnosis, to let them know that just because they have reached rock bottom, they are still fully human, and perhaps for many other important things besides.

The article advertises a longer paper published in March by London health think tank The King's Fund:

Outcomes for mental health services: what really matters? (PDF, 42 pages)

Our overriding impression from our conversations and visits to services was of the profoundly personal nature of mental illness. While we might attach diagnostic labels to people, their experience of their illness, its impact on their lives and the nature of their suffering are unique.

This seems very much in line with what 7 Cups is about.

Charlie