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Welcome to Overcoming
The monthly newsletter for mental health workers everywhere
As publishers of the Overcoming series - a range of self-help books, courses and downloadable self-help resources based on CBT techniques - we aim to broaden access to assisted self-help by providing excellent resources and supporting those of you working on the front line.
With lots of new initiatives and funding to deliver them we hope you find this newsletter a useful update. Don't forget, you can get in touch with your suggestions, comments and questions by emailing fritha@overcoming.co.uk
Too Little Too Late?
A new report warns that reforms such as care in the community have failed thousands of people who ended up in prisons without access to appropriate treatment.
The report Too Little Too Late, by the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) makes it clear that people in need of help are not being identified and that had they been adequately dealt with by mental health services they may not have ended up in the criminal justice system. The report suggests that courts are using prisons as 'a default option' for people who should have been diverted into the mental health system. This has placed intolerable pressures on prisons.
PRT Chief Executive Juliet Lyons believes a more coordinated approach across health care services and the criminal justice system is necessary if long-term, effective change is to be achieved. With an estimated 70% of prisoners affected by mental health problems this is a pressing issue that demands recognition that prisons are not hospitals and that staff are not equipped to deal with these complex issues.
Lyons says 'We've got to accept the limitations of prisons. The justice system feels like it's being dumped on... having to pick up the fallout of other departments.'
Too Little Too Late is available at www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk
Body Image Problems
Many people occasionally suffer from negative body self-image but for an increasing number of people, this can turn into a more serious preoccupation.
One per cent of the general population will develop Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a condition characterised by severe preoccupation with a perceived physical defect.
Body image problems can cause significant distress and lead to further problems such as anxiety, eating disorders and social phobia. It has long been recognised that negative body image is a factor in the onset and maintenance of many eating disorders. However, it can be successfully treated with CBT.
In a new, easy-to-read and invaluable self-help book, experts David Veale, Rob Willson and Alex Clarke show the reader how to overcome the debilitating effects of all body image problems - including BDD - through helpful and practical exercises based on CBT techniques.
Praise for Overcoming Body Image Problems:
'Not only a truly comprehensive self-help guide but an enormously helpful resource for professionals. With this book, the authors have made a great contribution to the alleviation of suffering.' Prof. Kevin Gournay CBE, Emeritus Professor: Kings College London
Overcoming Body Image Problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder is published by Robinson and available through all good bookshops or via Amazon.co.uk now.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
The Department of Health has released a new paper to deliver IAPT services that are effective and appropriate for the whole community, using innovative ways of meeting the needs of local people. It is drawn from the work of the IAPT special interest groups (SIGs).
The IAPT programme's principle aim is to help PCTs implement NICE guidelines for people affected by depression and anxiety disorders.
In the October 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Secretary of State for Health announced additional funds to begin to improve access to psychological therapies across England:
- £33 million in 2008/9
- a further £70 million making a total of £103 million in 2009/10
- a further £70 million making a total of £173 million in 2010/11
These funds will deliver a major training programme of suitably qualified psychological therapists. This workforce will enable the NHS to progressively expand provision of NICE-compliant local psychological therapy services to people affected by depression and anxiety disorders. The additional resources are linked to a specific set of delivery commitments made by the Secretary of State, including numbers treated, numbers of therapists trained and employment outcomes.
Visit www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_090011 to view and download the paper and related toolkit.
Time to Change!
Time to Change is an ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems. Their mission is to make lives better for everyone by inspiring people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health.
The programme of 35 projects is led by Mental Health Media, Mind and Rethink. It is funded with £16 million from the Big Lottery fund and £2 million from Comic Relief. Their work will be evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London.
In addition to local community programmes, there will be a high profile national campaign, legal test cases, training for health professionals and support for grassroots activists.
The programme has some specific aims including:
- To create a 5% positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems
- To achieve a 5% reduction in discrimination by 2012
- To increase the ability of 100,000 people with mental health problems to address discrimination
- To engage over 250,000 people in physical activity
- To produce a powerful evidence of what works
Find out more at www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-us
The Warrior Programme
With increasing numbers of ex-service personnel affected by mental health problems like post traumatic stress disorder, the Warrior Programme represents an innovative and effective approach to treatment.
Rather than focus on the causes of symoptoms, techniques are used to help participants release unresolved feelings of fear, sadness, guilt and anger.
The Warrior Programme approach uses:
- Neuro Lingusitic Programming (NLP)
- CBT
- Time Line Therapy
- HUNA (Hawaiian forgiveness teaching used by the Peace and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa)
- Meditation
- Tai Chi
That may sound like a strange combination but in the last 12 months, 100 people have completed the programme. Research by independent external statisticians have revealed that participants have experienced a shift from clinical levels of psychological dysfunction to normal levels of functioning.
Find out more at www.warriorprogramme.org.uk
Living With A Black Dog
'I Had A Black Dog says with wit, insight, economy and complete understanding what other books take 300 pages to say. Brilliant and indispensable.' Stephen Fry
The Black Dog was the bane of Matthew Johnstone's life - until he put it in his first book I Had A Black Dog and brought it to heel. Now, together with his wife Ainsley, he has written Living With a Black Dog, an illustrated, indispensable guide for the partners, family, friends and colleagues of depression sufferers.
When the Black Dog enters a person's life, it also moves in with their loved ones - who may not have the tools to help and support the sufferer while looking after their own wellbeing. Matthew and Ainsley include practical advice about recognising the symptoms of depression in a loved one, living with a depressed person and helping them to tame their Black Dog. They also provide tips on self-preservation for carers, so they don't come to adopt a Black Dog of their own.
Already a Sunday Times bestseller, Living With A Black Dog is a must-have for anyone supporting someone who suffers from depression.
'A remarkable new book' The Daily Mail
'Moving and thoughtfully written' Daily Mirror
Jobs
Don't forget to check our latest job updates [link]. It's now also our one-stop shop for services out to tender.
If you're an employer who would like to bring a job to our attention, please email amelia@overcoming.co.uk.
Competition time
Want to be among the first to read Living With A Black Dog? The first person who can correctly tell us what HUNA is will win a copy of both I Had A Black Dog AND Living With A Black Dog.
Email your answer to fritha@overcoming.co.uk - the winner will be announced in next month's newsletter.
Congratulations to...
Suzanne Forster, Leah Ross and John Hayward who each won a copy of Overcoming Body Image Problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder in last month's competition.
Overcoming leaflets
Don't forget to request your free leaflets with an up-to-date list of all the books in the Overcoming series as well as discounted prices. These are suitable for your own use or to pass on to your clients. Email fritha@overcoming.co.uk with the number you require.
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