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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/04/letters-encourage-people-to-live-healthy-lives-nhs
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| Encourage people to live healthy lives | |
| (3 days later) | |
| As a former employee of the NHS – a chaplain – and someone who values it and has benefited greatly from it, I have seen hundreds of patients over the years who do not look after themselves and wonder why they are unwell (“Saving the NHS”, Comment). | As a former employee of the NHS – a chaplain – and someone who values it and has benefited greatly from it, I have seen hundreds of patients over the years who do not look after themselves and wonder why they are unwell (“Saving the NHS”, Comment). |
| Chaplains are there to listen but we do not give advice on health matters. Too many people eat the wrong things and do not exercise to any significant degree. They need not only to be encouraged to change their lifestyles but forced to change through legislation and taxation. Britain cannot afford to allow these people to abuse the NHS in the way they do and certain measures that some would feel are draconian need to be implemented as soon as possible. | Chaplains are there to listen but we do not give advice on health matters. Too many people eat the wrong things and do not exercise to any significant degree. They need not only to be encouraged to change their lifestyles but forced to change through legislation and taxation. Britain cannot afford to allow these people to abuse the NHS in the way they do and certain measures that some would feel are draconian need to be implemented as soon as possible. |
| The upper echelons of the NHS also need to be more responsive to the advice of those who work at the chalkface! They often ask for advice but it is seldom properly considered and acted upon.The Rev Clifford ChonkaNewport | The upper echelons of the NHS also need to be more responsive to the advice of those who work at the chalkface! They often ask for advice but it is seldom properly considered and acted upon.The Rev Clifford ChonkaNewport |
| Nick Cohen is right to highlight the pressure our obesogenic environment is putting on the NHS. He might also have noted that the insecurity and stress in our lives are putting massive strains on mental health services. But he’s wrong to say that “public enlightenment” or an “authoritarian state” are the only answers to cutting the toll on our health and wellbeing. | Nick Cohen is right to highlight the pressure our obesogenic environment is putting on the NHS. He might also have noted that the insecurity and stress in our lives are putting massive strains on mental health services. But he’s wrong to say that “public enlightenment” or an “authoritarian state” are the only answers to cutting the toll on our health and wellbeing. |
| Our environment isn’t the result of individual choice, but government policies. Supermarkets, pushing processed, high sugar, fat and salt products, have been allowed to dominate our food supply. (Even encouraged with planning support for out-of-town superstores.) | Our environment isn’t the result of individual choice, but government policies. Supermarkets, pushing processed, high sugar, fat and salt products, have been allowed to dominate our food supply. (Even encouraged with planning support for out-of-town superstores.) |
| Car travel has been made 16% cheaper in real terms since 1997, while trains are 23% and buses 33% more expensive. That’s where buses still exist at all; I’ve heard the suggestion that in rural areas they should be displayed in museums so children can see what they look like. Natalie BennettFormer leader, Green partySheffield | Car travel has been made 16% cheaper in real terms since 1997, while trains are 23% and buses 33% more expensive. That’s where buses still exist at all; I’ve heard the suggestion that in rural areas they should be displayed in museums so children can see what they look like. Natalie BennettFormer leader, Green partySheffield |
| Thank goodness for some realism about the sort of fundamental changes we need to make to the way we live for there to be any hope of a reasonable future on this planet (Nick Cohen and Sonia Sodha, “Bottled water is a nonsense”, Comment). | Thank goodness for some realism about the sort of fundamental changes we need to make to the way we live for there to be any hope of a reasonable future on this planet (Nick Cohen and Sonia Sodha, “Bottled water is a nonsense”, Comment). |
| We may not like the idea, but only by introducing measures such as annual flying allowances, banning bottled water and putting walking, cycling and public transport before private cars can we prevent the ultimately fatal depletion and pollution of the natural resources on which we depend. Once we all get used to new habits we’ll be healthier for them, and happier too, with the prospect of a sustainable world to enjoy.Teresa BeltonNorwich | We may not like the idea, but only by introducing measures such as annual flying allowances, banning bottled water and putting walking, cycling and public transport before private cars can we prevent the ultimately fatal depletion and pollution of the natural resources on which we depend. Once we all get used to new habits we’ll be healthier for them, and happier too, with the prospect of a sustainable world to enjoy.Teresa BeltonNorwich |
| Finsbury Park imam set true example of British values | Finsbury Park imam set true example of British values |
| Thank you for Kenan Malik’s thoughtful piece on the distinction between vengeance and justice (“A desire for vengeance is human but checks the pursuit of justice”, Comment). | Thank you for Kenan Malik’s thoughtful piece on the distinction between vengeance and justice (“A desire for vengeance is human but checks the pursuit of justice”, Comment). |
| Malik draws attention to the intervention of the imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who saved the Finsbury Park van driver from the vengeance of the crowd, arguing that he should answer in a court of law, not in the street. It strikes me that this is an excellent example to us all of the “British values” that we are urged by government ministers to embrace, usually with the subtext that it is the minority communities that most need the lesson.John FilbyAshoverDerbyshire | Malik draws attention to the intervention of the imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who saved the Finsbury Park van driver from the vengeance of the crowd, arguing that he should answer in a court of law, not in the street. It strikes me that this is an excellent example to us all of the “British values” that we are urged by government ministers to embrace, usually with the subtext that it is the minority communities that most need the lesson.John FilbyAshoverDerbyshire |
| Schools and mental health | Schools and mental health |
| As headteacher of a school for children with social, emotional and mental health needs, I see the impact of the lack of understanding around mental health every day (“Mentally ill pupils ‘face threat from plans for schools”, News). | As headteacher of a school for children with social, emotional and mental health needs, I see the impact of the lack of understanding around mental health every day (“Mentally ill pupils ‘face threat from plans for schools”, News). |
| Unless educators work with young people to identify their mental health issues we will be fighting a losing battle. We are in the position to make a difference to vulnerable young people’s lives. We have to provide them with the emotional resilience to cope with their mental health once they leave school. Otherwise, they risk facing bigger problems when they are older. They could become homeless. They could have children that they are unable to support. Once that happens, they will stop being able to function in society. | Unless educators work with young people to identify their mental health issues we will be fighting a losing battle. We are in the position to make a difference to vulnerable young people’s lives. We have to provide them with the emotional resilience to cope with their mental health once they leave school. Otherwise, they risk facing bigger problems when they are older. They could become homeless. They could have children that they are unable to support. Once that happens, they will stop being able to function in society. |
| This is why I believe there needs to be more education and investment in children and young people’s mental health. We need to look at what we can do from an early age to ensure that their mental health is looked after and we need to ensure that parents have the skills to cope with nurturing a young child. Only when this is done will we break the cycle.Eileen SheerinAshcroft School, the Together TrustCheadle | This is why I believe there needs to be more education and investment in children and young people’s mental health. We need to look at what we can do from an early age to ensure that their mental health is looked after and we need to ensure that parents have the skills to cope with nurturing a young child. Only when this is done will we break the cycle.Eileen SheerinAshcroft School, the Together TrustCheadle |
| Betting the house | Betting the house |
| Vernon Bogdanor (“The Lords should ask the Commons to reconsider Brexit”, Comment) weakens his case for a second referendum by likening the Leave option to being given the chance of buying an attractive house without being told the price. | Vernon Bogdanor (“The Lords should ask the Commons to reconsider Brexit”, Comment) weakens his case for a second referendum by likening the Leave option to being given the chance of buying an attractive house without being told the price. |
| But it was actually worse than that – more like committing to buy the house regardless. The argument for a second referendum when the terms are known is logically irresistible.Dennis TwistClun | But it was actually worse than that – more like committing to buy the house regardless. The argument for a second referendum when the terms are known is logically irresistible.Dennis TwistClun |
| Troy for the boys | Troy for the boys |
| What a missed opportunity in the new Trojan war miniseries to redress the usual androcentric view and explore the shift from matriarchy to patriarchy that is reflected in Mycenaean culture (“Enter the wooden horse again”, News). | What a missed opportunity in the new Trojan war miniseries to redress the usual androcentric view and explore the shift from matriarchy to patriarchy that is reflected in Mycenaean culture (“Enter the wooden horse again”, News). |
| This could explore the idea that Agamemnon and Menelaus ruled by virtue of the fact that they were married to their wives, who are the actual ruling dynasties. So when one of the wives absconds to Troy, the legitimacy of the brothers’ rule is undermined. | This could explore the idea that Agamemnon and Menelaus ruled by virtue of the fact that they were married to their wives, who are the actual ruling dynasties. So when one of the wives absconds to Troy, the legitimacy of the brothers’ rule is undermined. |
| This makes far more sense to justify a prolonged war and siege than the usual interpretation that Menelaus wanted to get his wife back because she was so beautiful and he missed her. The tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra in Mycenae bear witness to her powerful position.Carol TerryLondon SW18 | This makes far more sense to justify a prolonged war and siege than the usual interpretation that Menelaus wanted to get his wife back because she was so beautiful and he missed her. The tombs of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra in Mycenae bear witness to her powerful position.Carol TerryLondon SW18 |
| Blackmail in border lands | Blackmail in border lands |
| The border reivers mentioned in the review of Graham Robb’s The Debatable Land (“From God’s realm to bandit country”, Books) contributed not only “bereaved” to our language. They practised “blackmail”, which was linked to the colour of their armour.Geoff FenwickSouthport | The border reivers mentioned in the review of Graham Robb’s The Debatable Land (“From God’s realm to bandit country”, Books) contributed not only “bereaved” to our language. They practised “blackmail”, which was linked to the colour of their armour.Geoff FenwickSouthport |
| Listen to the teachers | Listen to the teachers |
| Your assessment of the pitfalls and potential for failure inherent in the ubiquitous academy system, while depressing to read, held no surprises (“Top academy schools sound alarm as cash crisis looms”, News). Over many years, we have seen the fragmentation of state education as politicians have imposed their personal agendas. | Your assessment of the pitfalls and potential for failure inherent in the ubiquitous academy system, while depressing to read, held no surprises (“Top academy schools sound alarm as cash crisis looms”, News). Over many years, we have seen the fragmentation of state education as politicians have imposed their personal agendas. |
| From the 1960s to the 70s there was such optimism among those training and those already in the teaching profession. There were several inspirational voices within education offering guidance and new ideas based on knowledge and experience. It was a time to enter the classroom with hope and ideals. | From the 1960s to the 70s there was such optimism among those training and those already in the teaching profession. There were several inspirational voices within education offering guidance and new ideas based on knowledge and experience. It was a time to enter the classroom with hope and ideals. |
| Then the heavy hand of politics. State education has been fragmented, academies are only loosely accountable and lack governance. Dedicated teachers deliver in the particular environment allotted to them, children learn and some will go on to achieve. But where is the fair playing field offering the curriculum where the arts and the sciences are valued in equal measure and children experience much more than dry emphasis on learning facts to be regurgitated in test after test? | Then the heavy hand of politics. State education has been fragmented, academies are only loosely accountable and lack governance. Dedicated teachers deliver in the particular environment allotted to them, children learn and some will go on to achieve. But where is the fair playing field offering the curriculum where the arts and the sciences are valued in equal measure and children experience much more than dry emphasis on learning facts to be regurgitated in test after test? |
| Until education is allowed a complete reappraisal by educationists rather than politicians we shall be failing many of our children. But, as you point out in your leader, no hope of that with Brexit, like a cuckoo in the nest, squeezing out all the other public services pleading for attention.Janet PowerNewton Abbot | Until education is allowed a complete reappraisal by educationists rather than politicians we shall be failing many of our children. But, as you point out in your leader, no hope of that with Brexit, like a cuckoo in the nest, squeezing out all the other public services pleading for attention.Janet PowerNewton Abbot |
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