Skip to main content
NEU job vacancy
The scourge of restrictive practices in mental health care: ‘It just muted me’
The lack of NHS mental health provision for young people has led to many placements, out of sight and out of mind, in so-called ‘specialist,’ privately run units. This comes at great cost for all involved, writes RUTH HUNT

ALTHOUGH the NHS hands over vast sums to independent mental health service providers, those who have lost loved ones or have been damaged by long periods of restrictive practices, often have to fight to be even acknowledged — let alone get real justice.

For those who have been in these units either as patients or staff, there’s a feeling of relief they have survived. But they also have a need to share their stories, to add further weight to the call to shut these expensive units down and end unsafe restrictive practices.

Steph had a dream of working in mental health, using her own personal experiences and in turn, helping those who are going through similar turmoil.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Left picture shows Michelle at Christmas undergoing a chemical menopause at aged 23 when she had just lost her job
Interview / 15 August 2025
15 August 2025

Seventeen years after losing her council job due to needing endometriosis surgery, Michelle Dewar’s campaign for paid menstrual leave gained 50,000 signatures in a week, reports ELIZABETH SHORT

RATIONAL FUTURE: Passenger and freight train on the West Coa
Books / 6 December 2024
6 December 2024
WILL PODMORE welcomes a demonstration of the incomparable virtues of rail travel, and the political obstacles to realising its potential 
Campaigners protest outside Parliament in Westminster, Londo
Features / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
Former chair of the all-party parliamentary group for special educational needs TOM HUNT examines some tragic cases from countries which have legalised assisted death
Features / 11 November 2024
11 November 2024
At the start of National Anti-Bullying Week, JONATHAN TAYLOR explains that recognising the signs of bullying is the first step towards being able to do something about it