SIR -- I was appalled to read Councillor Claire Kent's letter (Oxford Mail, August 5), which ducked away from Councillor Tony Brett's timely challenge to her and Councillor Stuart Craft over their prejudice against people with mental health needs.
If councillors, who should be community leaders, hold such bigoted attitudes, how can they fairly represent the 25 per cent of constituents who are likely to experience mental health difficulties?
Moreover, media reporting does little to reduce ill-informed prejudice. The terms "a schizophrenic" or "mental patient" are unacceptable.
People who battle with mental health needs are people first, not diagnostic labels.
They deserve our deepest respect for the courage with which they face the challenges of everyday life, which include coping with recurrent stigma and social exclusion.
People who use mental health services are less violent than the general population and are far more likely to harm themselves than others.
They bring creativity, imagination, common sense and good humour to the problems of living in modern urban society.
MARGARET COOMBS
Divinity Road
Oxford
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article