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Bipolar abortion case; Wind farms; Children and war

Opponents of windfarms are portrayed as selfish NIMBYs, but Claudia Hammond reveals psychological research suggesting 'Not in My Back Yarders' are misunderstood.

The Case of the Bipolar Sufferer and her Legal Battle for an Abortion S.B. is a 37 year old woman with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She wanted a baby but when she was pregnant, became ill, and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. She then said she couldn't cope with having a baby and began requesting an abortion. Her husband, her mother and the psychiatrists treating her argued that the termination shouldn't go ahead, because S.B. wasn't of "sound mind". Deborah Bowman, Professor of Bioethics, Clinical Ethics and Medical Law at St George's, University of London, discusses why this case, which went to the Court of Protection, is so important for people with mental health problems. The Complex Psychology Behind Wind Farm Opposition National polls consistently show that a majority of people support wind power in principle, but when it comes to local schemes, there's often vociferous opposition. NIMBYs often get the blame. They're portrayed as selfish individuals who say no, for purely self interested reasons. Claudia talks to Dr Chris Jones, social and environmental psychologist from the University of Sheffield, on the windy hills North of the City, about why opposition to wind farms is a complex matter and that the "Not In My Back Yarders" can have valid and varied reasons for being turbine-rejectors. Syrian Children and the Mental Health Impact of War Hundreds of thousands of Syrian children have fled their country as the war there reaches new levels of brutality. All in the Mind has been following the efforts of one Syrian psychologist, Masa Al-kurdi, to provide targeted support for child refugees that specifically address the war trauma they have experienced. Her group of volunteers, the Arab Foundation for the Care of Victims of War and Torture, has been using interventions developed by the Children and War Foundation, specifically designed to teach coping strategies and techniques to as many children as possible. In Jordan, the courses are now in place and Claudia hears from Masa that thousands of children will have been through the courses by the end of 2013. Producer - Fiona Hill.

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28 minutes

Chapters

  • The Bipolar Sufferer and her Battle for an Abortion

    Professor Deborah Bowman tells Claudia why the court case about S.B. is so important

    Duration: 06:55

  • Why NIMBYs are misunderstood

    Dr Chris Jones from Sheffield University on the complex psychology of wind farm opposition

    Duration: 09:21

  • Syrian children and the Mental Cost of War

    Masa Al-kurdi on why she volunteered to set up mental health support for Syrian children

    Duration: 10:30

Claudia Hammond with Dr Chris Jones at the Royd Moor Wind Farm

Claudia Hammond with Dr Chris Jones at the Royd Moor Wind Farm

Broadcasts

  • Tue 11 Jun 2013 21:00
  • Wed 12 Jun 2013 15:30

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