Sex, relationships and mental health

Although the sexuality of people with mental health problems raises important clinical, social and legal concerns, there is relatively little written about the subject, and it is clear that staff often feel confused and embarrassed when discussing these issues with colleagues, carers and service users. Staff are often unsure about how to balance service users' rights to live a full life (including the right to express themselves sexually) with the need to protect people considered to be vulnerable. Here, Richard Pacitti and Graham Thornicroft describe how Mind in Croydon made a film about sex, relationships and mental health to help explore these issues further.‘Those of us who have been diagnosed with major mental illness do not cease to be human beings by virtue of that diagnosis. Like all people we experience the need for love, companionship, solitude, and intimacy. Like all people we want to feel loved, valued, and desired by others.’ (Patricia E Deegan, 1999).‘Not having a relationship if you want one can be like that constant feeling of being hungry and not being fed.’ (Bill, contributor to Unspoken)