Thread by @IndigoDaya

Since releasing the Seclusion Report I can’t count how many times I’ve heard of #MentalHealth nurses saying ‘it’s not possible to eliminate seclusion & restraint because of occupational violence’.

I call bullshit on that excuse, and here’s why… 🧵

1/6

The cause of seclusion is not because we’re aggressive towards you.

The cause is *your* violent practice—and the larger violent system you work in.

2/6

Yep sometimes we’re aggressive towards you. That’s because

You
Are
A
Threat

So maybe stop that.

What do I mean by threat? You lock us up, force treatments, impose punitive infantilising rules, ignore & judge us, breach our rights. It’s normal to fight back against that.

3/6

I think it might be helpful if you stopped using words like ‘aggressive’ to describe our natural responses towards your violence.

Instead, try words like self-defence, empowerment, exerting boundaries, fear-related fight responses.

4/6

You have all the power here.

Use it to end your own violent practice. No-one can change the whole system but you can change your actions.

Being violent to us won’t keep you safe because violence always begets violence.

If you want to be safe, show us respect.

5/6

If you still think it’s not possible to eliminate seclusion & restraint, then please, get out of the way, find a new job.

Because with that attitude, I’m sorry, but you cannot be a respectful, supportive, effective or safe mental health clinician.

6/6