"Will You Fix a Puncture on Me Bike?"

national | education | other press Tuesday November 23, 2010 15:53 by Sean Crudden - impero impero at iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth 0879739945

The Ultimate Problem-Solver

One is lucky to know a person who can fix one's car, or a person who can fix one's computer (even if that woman is in India); and watching a professional trouble-shooter in action is as good in value as watching a skilled musician or a class sportsman doing their thing. But one extends the paradigm into human affairs and human relations at one's peril?

On Saturday morning in The Mansion House I sat through two speeches: one given by Colm O'Gorman on the theme of change; the other given by Pat Seager on the See Change initiative, "a national program working to reduce the stigma linked with mental health problems." Afterwards I eschewed the soup and sandwiches on offer; crossed Dawson Street to Milano; revived my spirits with Canneloni, Apple Juice, Dolcetti Tartufo al Ciocco. After a little shopping in Grafton Street I returned to Connolly station travelling part of the way on The Luas. While I was waiting in Connolly for the 15.20 Enterprise I counted in the little yellow red and green See Change leaflet how many times the word "problem" or "problems" was mentioned. If it was not 24 it was 25!

They may be trying to reduce stigma but they are certainly emphasising the view that the mentally ill and mental patients are a problem. Something analogous to the way old people are seen as a problem. And children. Nowadays these categories of people are seen not just as a problem but as a medical problem. And of course in all these areas the psychiatrist wears the mantle of ultimate problem solver.

On Wednesday I learned at a Social Inclusion Seminar in the conference centre in Spencer Dock that the welfare authorities are dreaming up mathematical formulae to "profile" all recipients of social welfare in order to "activate" them, directing them into suitable "supports," '"training," education." Naturally I turned all my oratorical powers against the power-drunk misbegotten scheme. Of course I was blithely ignored, certainly by the official "side."