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Anti depressants are a quick fix in a broken system - More funding is urgently needed for talking therapies

#NSUNthrive campaign

It is 10 years since the 'Doing it for ourselves’ service user conference in Birmingham.  It was at this conference in 2006 that the vision of the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) was taken forward, leading to funding in 2007 and becoming a fully independent organisation in May 2010.

We have survived!  To enable us to continue to connect, communicate and influence, we need your help. Please spread the word to help raise funds to continue our work through our #NSUNthrive10 campaign. You can also raise money by shopping online with the  Giving Machine

Donate here
 

Previously shared information available online

Please visit our website to find involvement opportunities, jobs and events we shared in previous e-bulletins. This includes our guides to support involvement in reducing the use of restraint in mental health settings.

 

Do you have experience of being restrained?

NSUN, together with colleagues from PROMISE and the Service User Research Enterprise at Kings College London (SURE) are seeking your direct experience and views on the practice of restraint in order to influence mental health services both in in the UK and internationally.

For more information please click here

Closing date for replies: 24 July

 

The Mental Health Action Group (MHAG) is a a campaigning group led by people who are current or ex-users of mental health services in Derby City, Amber Valley, Erewash Valley & South Derbyshire. You can see current and past campaigns here.

They  meet every month, and anyone with an issue around mental health is welcome. MHAG has around 200 members, and nine representatives (all volunteers), plus two part-time co-ordinators, employed by Derbyshire Mind. We are an independent voice supported by Derbyshire voice and the clinical commissioning groups.

If you want to become a member then you either need to be a mental health service user or carer, or have an interest in mental health issues. Contact us them to find out more.

Read their June newsletter here.

 

Part time helpline manager / operator posts

  • SALARY:    £21,371 pro rata (£12,823 actual)
  • HOURS:    3 days (21 hours per week)   
  • LOCATION: Leeds, but will need to travel

Mermaids supports children and young people up to 19 years old suffering from gender identity issues, and their families and supporting professionals. Resources provide a vital lifeline for young people and families who are searching for support and information.

Mermaids operates a helpline and email service with trained volunteers for as many hours as possible. These new posts are being created to expand and manage the service due to increasing demand.

For more information go to http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/recruitment.html

CLOSING DATE: 4pm on Friday 22 July 2016

 

Let's talk about mental health: Family fun day

Date: Saturday 16 July
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Location: Waverhill Park, Handsworth, Birmingham

  • Live performances
  • Drumming and singing
  • Pampering zone
  • Health & Wellbeing Stalls
  • Food, and lots of other activities!

Poster - volunteer advert - volunteer form

#mellowatthepark
For more information call 0121 608 8001 or email info@birminghammind.org

 

National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness

Are you a mental health service-user with a diagnosis of any personality disorder and have experience of using mental health services in the past five years? If yes, the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness would like to hear your views about mental health services for people with personality disorder.

NB: the terminology 'personality disorder' is controvertial but used by the researchers calling for participation.

More information about this can be found on this page

 

Preventable Harm: can risk assessment in mental health be evidence-based

An inaugural Question Time style discussion hosted by UCL Division of Psychiatry,  the Mental Elf and Lancet Psychiatry

When Wednesday, 20 July 2016 from 18:00 to 20:00 (BST)
Where Sir Ambrose Fleming Lecture Theatre, Roberts Building (drinks reception from 6pm in Roberts Building Foyer) - Torrington Place , London, WC1E 7JE

Registration  - it's free! here

 

Healthwatch Croydon mental health forum

When Thursday 4th August 2016, 12pm to 3pm
Where Mind, 10 Altyre Road, Croydon, CR0 5LA

Organised by Healthwatch Croydon, the event will cover two topics:

Workshop 1: As a person with mental health needs, what support do you need?
Workshop 2: How do we, as a community, continue to raise mental health awareness? What can be done to support people in the community?

A good opportunity to get the views and experiences of people across the region, on these important issues.

Please register online here, or get in touch with Darren Morgan ( 020 8663 5635 ) for further information.

 

Dragon Cafe to celebrate greatly missed founder

On Monday 18 July the London based Dragon Cafe will be celebrating their greatly missed - but continually inspiring - founder Sarah Wheeler, who sadly passed away in April. The team at the Cafe invites you to share a creative tribute on the day which you think she would enjoy. Poetry, prose, a song, dance or other creative offering.

If you have something in mind please talk to a member of the Creative Team at the Cafe on Monday or email declan@mentalfightclub.com  There will be Open Mic opportunities throughout the day but the team aims to reserve 5-10 min spots for those who get in touch in advance.

The Dragon Cafe is located in the Crypt of St George the Martyr Church, Borough High St, SE1 1JA. Opening times: 12 midday to 8:30pm every Monday.

Don't forget the Dargon Cafe's programme for this Monday's Summertime 2.

 

FEEL plan 'Knowing our rights' event

FEEL (Friends of east End Loonies) are busy planning their next event'Knowing Our Rights'.

Date:  23 September
Time: 7pm
Location: Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, E3 3HJ. 

The team have asked ​for a speaker from the East London Foundation Trust Mental Health Law Team, a representative from the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers, an expert in advocacy and  Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) speaker.

FEEL have discovered some really useful resources about mental health rights -  Mental Health Act Code of Practice and Mental Health Big Book of Benefits. FEEL think more people ought to know about these books and how to use them to secure their rights. There will be copies of these books at the meeting, along with some ideas how you can get access to them (they are expensive!).

There will be music from the Mudlarks and refreshments.

Please come along to the next FEEL meeting on Monday 18 June to help the team finalise these plans. FEEL want to know about other resources and suggestions for Knowing Our Rights.

 FEEL meet the third Monday of each month 6.30 - 8.30 pm (next meeting: 18 July)
 @ LARC Centre  62, Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel E1 1ES
 

 

Mental health and debt guide 2016

Shared by MoneySavingsExpert.com, this guide is a free 44-page PDF booklet supported by Mind, Rethink, CAPUK and others, for people with mental health problems and those caring for them.

It covers how to handle debts when unwell, work with banks, free debt counselling, specific tips for bipolar disorder or depression sufferers, whether to declare a condition and more.

PDFs require you to have Adobe Acrobat reader. If you don't, download it here for free.

 

Involvement opportunities

Important upcoming events

We already shared these with you in previous editions. You can still register to attend these events. Don't miss out! Click on the titles for more information.

 

Government to commit to high quality end of life care

Plans to ensure high quality, compassionate care for everyone at the end of life have been announced by Health Minister Ben Gummer

Junior doctors contract: Health Secretary's statement to Parliament

Jeremy Hunt outlines the phased introduction of the new junior doctors' contract from October 2016

Consultations

Concluded: Role of National Data Guardian for Health and Social Care

Open: New data security standards for Health and Social Care

 
NSUN, 27-29 Vauxhall Grove, London, SW8 1SY 
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