‘Face-down restraint must end’: an open letter to Jeremy Hunt

Dear Jeremy Hunt

New figures released by Agenda, the alliance for women and girls at risk, have highlighted the routine use of physical and face-down restraint against women and girls in mental health settings. Although government guidance is clear that physical restraint should only be used as a last resort, this research shows that in many trusts it is widespread.

Given that more than half of women who have mental health problems have experienced abuse, restraint not only risks physical harm and can be frightening and humiliating, but being restrained, particularly face-down, can also re-traumatise those with a history of violence and abuse.

Mental health units are meant to be caring, therapeutic environments, for people feeling at their most vulnerable, not places where physical force is routine. That is why we believe face-down restraint must end and other forms of restraint should only be used as a last resort.

Instead, women and girls’ particular needs and experiences, including their histories of trauma, must be taken into account by mental health services and support given to tackle the underlying issues they face.

Katharine Sacks-Jones director, Agenda

Paul Farmer CEO, Mind

Mark Winstanley chief executive, Rethink Mental Illness

Sarah Hughes chief executive, Centre for Mental Health

Kathy Roberts chief executive, Mental Health Providers Forum

Liz Felton chief executive, Together for Mental Wellbeing

Professor Joy Duxbury chair, Restraint Reduction Network

Sarah Brennan chief executive, YoungMinds

‘Face-down restraint must end’: an open letter to Jeremy Hunt