THE photos of the Old Manor site in the Journal last week were certainly atmospheric. No doubt there are many stories and memories which they evoke.

However linking these pictures to Halloween on the basis they are ‘spooky’ was unfortunate.

Other deserted wards would have looked just the same. Would you have introduced them by saying ‘As Halloween nears take a look inside this deserted intensive care facility’?

Mental health issues affect perhaps one in four of the population at some time in their lives.

At last attitudes to this are starting to change. People who have received help with psychiatric issues are all around us in our workplaces, families and passing us in the street.

Some of them now feel able to talk freely and with optimism (visit the website of Rethink Mental Illness and read Louisa’s story). Keep up with it Journal – and please deal with mental health issues just the same as you do with other health service stories.

CLARE DRUETT Salisbury