Overcoming...

Overcoming... http://www.overcoming.co.uk News for Overcoming... en-gb Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:05:22 +0000 Copyright: (C) Constable & Robinson Ltd 15 A Breakthrough in Stigma? 3900 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:05:22 +0000 High profile celebrities with bipolar disorder have done much to raise awareness of the condition but two psychiatrists believe it has led to an increase in self-diagnosis. In an article in the Psychiatrists, theDr Chan and Dr Sireline say: "We have noticed in our clinical practice a new and unusual phenomenon, where patients present to psychiatrists with self-diagnosed bipolar disorder. "Recently, we have noticed numerous GP referrals to our service where the primary request has been for a psychiatric opinion on whether the patient may have bipolar disorder, as suggested by the patient's own self-diagnosis. "Also common, but less so in our experience, is the patient who attends reluctantly at the instigation of family members who are convinced they have finally made the diagnosis that can explain the awkward or embarrassing behaviour of their relative. "Both types of presentation were very uncommon until about three years ago. "The increasing popularity of bipolar disorder may be attributed to increased media coverage, coupled with the high social status associated with celebrities such as Stephen Fry talking about their own personal experiences of mental illness. "This appears to have promoted the disorder as less stigmatising and acceptable to the public, a phenomenon that may have an evolutionary basis." <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=77070" target="_blank">Read more >  www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=77070</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4814">Find out more about bipolar disorder > </a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3900 Researcher in Mental Health 3899 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:07 +0000  Type: Contract   Employer: Anglia Ruskin University   Location: Chelmsford   Salary: £29,853 - £34,607   Closing Date: 29/03//10   Description: With 28,000 students, Anglia Ruskin University is one of the largest, campus-based universities in the country, as well as one of the UK's leading providers of campus-based, part-time higher education courses. We have ambitious plans for development across the range of our activities and for building an outstanding reputation for academic innovation and achievement. The Department of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities is one of six departments in our Faculty of Health and Social Care. With over 8,000 students, our faculty is the largest provider of health and social care education in the East of England. In collaboration with the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, one of the top rated Mental Health & Learning Disabilities National Health Service Foundation Trusts in the country, we are seeking an experienced researcher to join our dynamic research team and to assist us in developing our research and income generation projects. With a higher degree or relevant professional qualification in subject discipline at post-graduate level, and a post-graduate research qualification, you will have knowledge and experience of managing research projects in health and social care and be able to contribute to our Faculty's ambitious plans to grow its portfolio. You will also have expertise in diverse research methodologies and experience in research design and data collection skills. Benefits include: final salary pension scheme, generous holidays, flexible working opportunities and interest free travel to work loan.   Contact: Apply at <a href="http://web.anglia.ac.uk/hr/jobs/index.php?id=2908">http://web.anglia.ac.uk/hr/jobs/index.php?id=2908</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3899 Mental Health Service User Involvement Co-ordinator 3898 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:59:01 +0000  Type: Contract, Part-time   Employer: Prospect US Recruitment   Location: London   Salary: £28,000 pro rata   Closing Date: Not stated   Description: We are seeking a proactive and people-focused individual to cover maternity leave for this highly successful project which supports mental health users to participate fully in local service planning. You will bring significant experience and knowledge of working in the mental health field, an excellent appreciation of the bigger picture and an understanding of and commitment to user empowerment at a strategic level. We would be keen to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience: <ul> <li>Experience working with service users in a mental health setting</li> <li>Group facilitation experience</li> <li>Advocacy skills</li> <li>Knowledge of equalities for mental health service users in a multicultural environment</li> <li>Knowledge of and experience applying models and principles of user empowerment</li> <li>Knowledge of issues in local statutory mental health provision and commissioning</li> <li>Experience training or mentoring service users to develop a range of skills to help them to represent their peers and empowering them to work strategically</li> <li>Project management experience</li> <li>Conflict management skills</li> <li>Experience of networking and liaising with external stakeholders</li> </ul> Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.prospect-us.co.uk/job/hq00092568">www.prospect-us.co.uk/job/hq00092568</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3898 Highly Specialist Cognitive Behavioural Psychologist 3897 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:51:34 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: NHS Foundation Trust   Location: South East   Salary: £34,045 - £45,852   Closing date: 21/03/2010   Description: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist to make a major contribution to the Secondary Care AMH Greenwich community psychological therapies service. We wish to recruit a CB psychotherapist with a commitment to multidisciplinary team working with adults presenting with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. You will provide comprehensive assessments, individual and group treatment. You will have proven skill in CBT and experience in working in secondary care Adult Mental Health. You will play an important role in consultation for psychological interventions as well as in supervision of team members. You will be welcomed into a well established and very supportive group of Adult Mental Health psychological therapists. The borough of Greenwich is both a challenging and rewarding place in which to work. Diverse communities and extremes of wealth and poverty exist side by side and the area is changing very rapidly. Greenwich was recently successful in its bid for IAPT funding and this provides an excellent opportunity for primary and secondary mental health services to develop together in a more integrated way. Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is an innovative and successful mental health and learning disability trust providing services within the southeast London boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich and Bromley. The Trust has a large, well established and supportive Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling department. This provides strong leadership and professional management and supports staff by prioritising supervision and continuing professional development. The department contains psychological therapists with extensive training and experience in cognitive, psychodynamic and systemic approaches. Service-related research is encouraged and supported by providing protected time for these activities. There are strong links with the South Thames (Salomons) Clinical Psychology Training Scheme. We have good working relationships with both managers and other senior clinicians, and psychotherapy is well represented at senior managerial and clinical levels. The Head of Psychology is also the Director of Psychological Therapies and a member of the executive team for the Trust. The input from psychological therapists is valued within the Trust and we undertake important roles, not only in clinical work, but also management, service development and clinical governance.   Contact: Request more details at <a href="http://www.mentalhealthjobs.co.uk/jobs/6218.html">www.mentalhealthjobs.co.uk/jobs/6218.html</a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3897 Mealtimes and Milestones author interviewed in the Daily Mail 3879 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:40 +0000 <img id="" src="/lib/img_draw.php?image=/sites/123/news/3879/Mealtimes_and_Milestones_F.jpg&width=80&height=122" alt="Mealtimes" border="" class="" usemap="" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="80" height="122"/>Published to coincide with Eating Disorders Week, <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7631#Mealtimes">Mealtimes and Milestones by Constance Barter</a>, is the diary of a fourteen year old schoolgirl who spent seven months in a residential specialist eating disorders hospital unit battling and finally beating anorexia nervosa. Constance, a Young Ambassador for BEAT, the UK's leading eating disorder charity, discussed her experience in the Daily Mail. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1251957/Constance-Barter-reveals-harrowing-battle-anorexia.html" target="_blank">Read interview > </a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7631#Mealtimes">Read more about Mealtimes and Milestones > </a> <a href="http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Home" target="_blank">Find out more about BEAT > </a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3879 Anorexia diary extract in The Guardian 3878 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:14:19 +0000 <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7631#Mealtimes">Mealtimes and Milestones: A Teenager's Diary of Moving on from Anorexia</a> has been well received by the national press this month. <img id="" src="/lib/img_draw.php?image=/sites/123/news/3878/Mealtimes_and_Milestones_F.jpg&width=80&height=122" alt="Mealtimes & Milestones" border="" class="" usemap="" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="80" height="122"/>A poignant and inspiring real-life account of beating anorexia, <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7631#Mealtimes">Mealtimes and Milestones by Constance Barter</a>, charts the author's recovery from the illness through the diary she kept during her seven month stay at a specialist eating disorders hospital unit. Her frank and moving account of the challenge of recovery from her illness will be a source of inspiration and hope for anyone affected by this illness - a testament of how, with perseverance and support, this potentially life-threatening illness can be beaten. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/27/anorexia-nervosa-teenage-constance-barter" target="_blank">Read an extract in The Guardian > </a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3878 UK Study Recommends Airbrush Disclaimers 3877 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:04:29 +0000 A Government commissioned report recommends putting disclaimers onto adverts featuring airbrushed models. The report was written by psychologist Linda Papadopoulos and also makes several other recommendations to counter the sexualisation of children including restrictions on suggestive music videos, tighter controls on men's magazines and removing pro-anorexia websites. A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Agency commented that they receive very few complaints about airbrushing but did act when adverts were offensive or misleading. The London fashion photographer, Paul Cable, doesn't think that warnings will harm the advertising and fashion industries but does caution that disclaimers may lead advertisers to use models who don't need airbrushing which in turn will put even more pressure on models to become thinner and resort to cosmetic surgery. <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3h0eM4erpzmaj67vBIdfPU2LJMQD9E3VPMO2" target="_blank">Read more > www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3h0eM4erpzmaj67vBIdfPU2LJMQD9E3VPMO2</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8580">Find out more about body image problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder ></a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4798">Find out more about anorexia nervosa ></a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3877 Mental Health Recovery Officer, Advocacy 3876 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:21:17 +0000  Type: Bank   Employer: Rethink   Location: South West   Salary: £10.29 - £11.32 per hour   Closing Date: 17/03//10   Description: Rethink provides more than 30 advocacy services for people who are subject to the powers of mental health legislation. They deal with issues from hospital admission to complaints and physical care needs and are available in the community, in secure hospitals and units and via home visits. <ul class="unIndentedList"> <li> To work with and take direction from the Service Manager</li> <li> To provide advocacy to and take instruction from service users</li> <li> To promote self advocacy</li> <li> To ensure the safety of staff and service users</li> <li> To improve the lives of service users</li> </ul> Rethink is passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourages applications from under-represented communities and applications from people with disabilities.  Where the job description calls for particular qualifications or experience, we will consider waving these requirements if an applicant who could not achieve them because of a disability can demonstrate he/she would be capable of performing well in the job and fulfils the criteria in other respects.  Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.rethink.org/about_rethink/jobs/bank_advocacy_office.html">www.rethink.org/about_rethink/jobs/bank_advocacy_office.html</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3876 Occupational Therapist 3875 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:20:08 +0000  Type: Permanent   Employer: Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board   Location: Swansea   Salary: £20,710 - £26,839   Closing Date: 10/03/10   Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic band 5 OT to join the rotational scheme in the West (Swansea area) of ABMU HB. The post holder will be an integral part of the well-established and supportive Occupational Therapy Service that offers: Nine monthly band 5 rotations through the areas of Oncology, Elderly Rehabilitation, Medicine, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Burns, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Old age Psychiatry, Adult Mental Health and Social Services. Support of well structured Occupational Therapy teams, with an experienced Advanced Practitioner/ Team leader Occupational Therapist in each clinical area, offering regular supervision. CPD opportunities with regular in-service training, journal clubs, reflective practice sessions and support with relevant external courses   Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912436881">www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912436881</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3875 Senior CAMHS Practitioner Tier 2/Team Leader 3874 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:19:45 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: South Essex PCT   Location: Essex   Salary: £29,789 - £39,273   Closing date: 16/03/2010   Description: Safer, happier children depend on skills like yours. We are looking for people like you to join our developing services. Based in Rayleigh, Essex and working across South East Essex, the Trouble Tree is a CAMHS Tier 2 community based emotional support service. Our aim is to promote emotional wellbeing in children, young people and their families, as well as schools and the community, and to identify and offer therapeutic support to children presented with emotional distress. To meet increased demands on the Service, we are seeking to strengthen our team of Counsellors/Therapists and you will bring proven expertise and enthusiasm to the role. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you'll provide clinical leadership and manage the day-to-day delivery of our Tier 2 service. You will carry a clinical caseload and provide consultation, supervision and support to other professionals within the team, and within the integrated service community. Along with experience of working in a therapeutic child-centred environment, you'll have a relevant qualification in an area such as social work, psychotherapy, nursing or youth work.   Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912435118">www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912435118</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3874 Problem Drinking at All Time High in Scotland 3873 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:19:02 +0000 According to NHS Figures, drink-related hospital discharges have risen in nearly all age groups over the past 6 years and Scotland ranks second in Europe for the number of people with chronic liver disease. This is despite many other European countries experiencing falling rates of the disease. Last year 13,694 people were taken to hospital for harmful drinking and there were 5,286 cases of alcohol psychoses. Most worryingly, 270 children under 15 were treated and there were 6 cases of liver disease in youngsters aged between 15 and 19. Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary, said, "Most worrying is the increase in alcohol-related problems among young people, who are putting themselves at risk of serious health problems," she said. "Alcohol is now around 70 per cent more affordable than it was in 1980 and, over the same period, consumption and alcohol-related harm have spiralled. These factors are not unrelated. Cheap alcohol is making a serious situation even worse. By linking price to product strength, minimum pricing will put an end to the sale of high-strength alcohol for less than the cost of bottled water." Read more >  <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7038644.ece" target="_blank">www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7038644.ece</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4832">Find out more about problem drinking > </a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3873 Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders 3831 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:32:41 +0000 This week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 22nd - 27th) and is being particularly marked by one campaigner, Sam Thomas, who has set up a website to support men. Sam set up the website, Men Get Eating Disorders Too to challenge the myth that only women are affected. Drawing on his personal experience of bulimia, Sam offers information, support and understanding, particularly to young people. Sam said: "When I first started making myself sick, I didn't know what the word bulimia meant. It all began at my secondary school when I was bullied. "For years I was under the impression that it was only a female issue. Although I did realise I had an eating problem I didn't realise what until I was probably about 15 or 16, and I read about it in an agony aunt column in one of my mum's magazines. "I definitely would have benefited from the website myself. It would have helped me to put a name to my disorder and the symptoms I had, which I didn't realise back then. "It would have also helped me to ease the isolation by putting me in touch with other men in the same situation." <a href="http://www.mengetedstoo.co.uk/">www.mengetedstoo.co.uk</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4802">Find out more about bulimia nervosa > </a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4798">Find out more about anorexia nervosa ></a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8580">Find out more about body image problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder ></a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3831 Money Worries Cause a Rise in Stress-Related Illnesses 3830 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:30:07 +0000 78% of GPs surveyed say they have seen an increase in patients affected by stress and depression. Patients say that concerns about job security and general financial worries are to blame. The survey was carried out by the Post Office and the Family Doctors' Association. Their results show that people under 30 are most affected with high levels of sleep disorders, diet problems and impotence. Doctors are prescribing antidepressants and referring patients to counsellors. Dr Peter Swinyard, chairman of the Family Doctor Association, said: "Money worries have always been a major cause of depression and stress-related illness but there is no doubt that the events of the past 18 months have exacerbated the effect. "Remembering that a problem shared is often a problem halved, we would encourage any patient who is feeling the strain of financial worries to seek the appropriate advice or support, from their family and loved ones and from financial institutions which might be able to work with them to resolve them and consult your family doctor if this stress is turning into depression." Read more > <a href="http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=Moneyworries%22causingstress%22&page=article.display&article.id=20531" target="_blank">www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=Moneyworries%22causingstress%22&page=article.display&article.id=20531</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6323">Get help with depression > </a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3830 Community Mental Health Employment Specialist 3829 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:28:18 +0000  Type: Permanent, Part-time   Employer: Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust   Location: London   Salary: £29,797 - £39,516   Closing Date: 10/03//10   Description: The Camden and Islington Early Intervention Service are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Employment Specialist. Knowledge of the IPS model is required for this post. Early Intervention Service (EIS) is a community mental health team working with people aged 14-35 experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The postholder will manage a specific caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems and wish to return to work or access training opportunities required for employment and provide individualised, on-going support to individuals once they have secured employment to assist them in sustaining employment.   Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912431241">www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912431241</a>      http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3829 Policy and Campaigns Assistant 3828 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:27:54 +0000  Type: Permanent   Employer: Mind   Location: London   Salary: £22,150   Closing Date: 08/02/10   Description: This is an exciting opportunity to join Mind's award winning Policy and Campaigns team, to support Mind's fight for social justice. Driven by a passion for giving people with experience of mental distress a voice, you will provide support to the team and assist in the delivery of Mind's major national campaigns and policy work in two areas, social inclusion and the mental health of people from black and minority ethnic communities. You will bring enthusiasm, experience of working in policy and campaigns environment and proven administrative ability.   Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.mind.org.uk/jobs/2992_policy_and_campaigns_assistant">www.mind.org.uk/jobs/2992_policy_and_campaigns_assistant</a>      http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3828 Mental Health First Aid Administrator 3827 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:27:29 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: Community Links   Location: Leeds   Salary: £19,621 - £21,519   Closing date: 10/03/2010   Description: As the first point of contact for clients and instructors on the MHFA training programmes, your role involves maintaining records, updating diaries and ensuring that travel schedules, accommodation and venues are all booked in advance. Admin experience is essential, as you need to be highly organised and comfortable with office processes. An advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, with the ability to produce reports and presentations, is essential. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. The scheme aims to teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems while at the same time promoting mental health awareness, recovery, signposting and helping to reduce stigma. Community Links is a leading provider of mental health services throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. We're one of Britain's "Best Companies to Work For" too so we can offer careers that are rewarding in every sense of the word. <div>We offer an extensive package, including generous annual leave, excellent training and development, pension scheme, local benefits and work-life balance policies. </div> <div> Contact: Apply at <a href="http://www.commlinks.co.uk/view.aspx?id=28">www.commlinks.co.uk/view.aspx?id=28</a></div>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3827 Coulrophobia Tackled by the Circus! 3804 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:37:36 +0000 Coulrophobia - fear of clowns - is one of the top 10 most common phobias with celebrity sufferers including Johnny Depp and P Diddy. In an effort to help sufferers, the organisers of the Showzam Circus Festival in Blackpool are planning a workshop to help people beat their fears. The workshop will start with an introduction to the festival's star clown without his make-up on and in normal clothes. With the guidance of Peter Kinderman, professor of clinical psychology at Liverpool University, participants will be gradually exposed to the clown in full costume. They will also receive information about the history of clowns. This type of treatment is called systematic desensitisation and is a type of behavioural therapy often used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/feb/11/coulrophobia-clowns-scared" target="_blank">Read more >  www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/feb/11/coulrophobia-clowns-scared</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=5079">Help for anxiety and phobias> </a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3804 Acupuncture is an Effective Treatment for Depression During Pregnancy 3803 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:34:28 +0000 Pregnant women are just as likely to get depression as those not expecting and around 20% experience increased symptoms during pregnancy. Pregnant women are often reluctant to take medication and coupled with a lack of research into treatments during pregnancy, dealing with the condition can be difficult. Researchers have now discovered that acupuncture specific for depression could be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy. Researchers tested 150 women with depression and randomly gave them acupuncture for depression (SPEC), normal acupuncture or massage. The results showed that the women who received SPEC experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity than the others. "Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on both the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family," said Dr. Schnyer, one of the study's authors. <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204075105.htm" target="_blank">Read more >  www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204075105.htm</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6323">Help for depression > </a> <a href="../../../../single.htm?ipg=7670"></a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3803 Outreach and Bridge Building Support Worker 3802 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:32:53 +0000  Type: Contract   Employer: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea   Location: Kensington and Chelsea   Salary: Up to £27,000   Closing Date: 26/02//10   Description: At Kensington and Chelsea we're committed to ensuring everyone has the support they need to enjoy the very best from life. As a dedicated Outreach Support Worker, you'll play a vital role in helping those with mental health problems achieve exactly that.  An inspirational professional, you'll have an astute understanding and experience of the complex needs of people with severe mental health issues, and the daily problems they face. Your primary role will be to provide support, identifying opportunities and access routes into specialist and mainstream services and community activities.  Encouraging and motivating, you'll empower those within your care, guiding them to make best use of available services. Sensitive and empathetic, you'll develop targeted person-centred plans, and with on-going assessment, and relevant treatment, help those you work with enjoy a brighter life.   Contact: To apply, please visit <a href="http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/jobs">www.rbkc.gov.uk/jobs</a>  Ref: H0004   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3802 Community Development Worker 3801 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:32:26 +0000   Type: Contract   Employer: Starfish Health and Wellbeing   Location: Staffordshire   Salary: £16,333 - £18,157   Closing Date: 26/02/10   Description: Do you have experience of working with people to access services within a community setting and/or experience of supporting people experiencing emotional distress?  The recruitment team will host an open day on 25th of February, at Grayfriars Health centre in Stafford. 1pm-3pm and 4pm till 7pm. Interviews to be held between the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th of March.   Contact: To request an information pack visit <a href="http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/968110/community-development-worker/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=48&Apply.y=7">http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/968110/community-development-worker/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=48&Apply.y=7</a>      http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3801 Assistant Psychologist 3800 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:31:47 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: The Cambian Group   Location: South East   Salary: £17,732 - £21,318   Closing date: 19/03/10   Description: Grateley House School, part of The Cambian group, is a 38 week independent, residential school, for children and young people ages between 11 and 19, with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism.  As an Assistant Psychologist you will be part of the Multi-Disciplinary Therapy Services team, working alongside all disciplines of staff within the school educating and supporting the students. In addition to working individually with students, the main working model is via managing and adapting the environment for the students. You will be responsible for carrying out assessments, developing formulations, and implementing intervention programmes and ideas using evidence-based approaches. Supporting staff and monitoring progress is key. You will also contribute to staff training, audit and developing research opportunities. You will also be required to write reports and provide written summaries of information collated from a wide variety of sources. This will involve excellent word processing and literacy skills.  You should have a BA / BSc in Psychology, class 2:1 or better; or a higher second degree, including substantive empirical research experience. Ideally, this role would suit those with experience of working with young people with autism, or other experience in a mental health field, and who wish to pursue a career in psychology. We are also happy to consider applicants who have recently graduated.  This post is for working term-time only, 40 hours a week for 40 weeks a year, and includes a further 5.6 weeks holiday pay.    Contact: To apply please send your CV to Stephanie <a href="mailto:Steph.Robinson@cambiangroup.com" target="_blank">Steph.Robinson@cambiangroup.com</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3800 Why the Mirror Lies 3770 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:16:29 +0000 Researchers at UCLA have discovered that the brains of people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) process visual input differently, especially when examining their own face. They also found the same systems of the brain are overactive in both BDD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which suggests that the two conditions are linked. "People with BDD are ashamed, anxious and depressed," said Dr. Jamie Feusner, an assistant professor of psychiatry and lead author of the study. "They obsess over tiny flaws on their face or body that other people would never even notice. Some refuse to leave the house, others feel the need to cover parts of their face or body, and some undergo multiple plastic surgeries. About half are hospitalized at some point in their lifetimes, and about one-fourth attempt suicide." Little is known about the underlying  rain abnormalities that contribute to BDD so this research represents an important step towards new methods of treatment. <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=76839" target="_blank">Read more > www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=76839</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4815">Get help for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ></a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8580">Get help for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) ></a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3770 DVD Helping Mentally Ill Minorities 3769 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:14:20 +0000 Language and cultural barriers can prevent people from black and ethnic minority (BME) communities recognising mental health needs and seeking help. This is despite people from BME groups being three times more likely to be admitted to mental health services. Time to Talk is a 30 minute DVD available in 12 different languages from the Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. With case histories from a range of communities the DVD offers understanding, support and information to get people talking about their mental health and accessing help. Moira Port, a modern matron at the Lister Hospital mental health unit in Stevenage, said, "The DVD was produced by a number of service users and staff and was about improving understanding of what mental health issues are in the BME, and how they felt that their own community view mental health issues, such as being weak or fear of stigma. "They said that they were frightened to come out but the ones who managed to access mental health services have found it quite useful. "They then feel empowered to go and talk to the community and say if you have problems, or if you feel low or weepy and upset. "The DVD tells you how to access the services and how you would be helped." <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8297506.stm" target="_blank">Read more > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8297506.stm</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=6323">Get help for depression > </a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3769 Student Mental Health Advisors 3768 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:12:29 +0000  Type: Permanent, Part-time   Employer: Coventry University   Location: West Midlands   Salary: £28,986 - £36,717   Closing Date: 02/03//10   Description: Coventry University is seeking to appoint 2 appropriately qualified individuals to offer advice and support to students experiencing mental health difficulties. The role involves providing individual and group support for students, offering advice, guidance and training to staff, and liaison with local agencies. You must be educated to degree level in a relevant subject area, such as Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work. In addition you must have a minimum of 2 years experience of working in a mental health setting. Significant training in CBT techniques would be advantageous, and an understanding of the HE context, student issues and the DDA are preferable. You will need to have a flexible approach with the ability to respond effectively to emergency situations. Good written and oral communication skills are essential, along with an ability to work independently as well as in a multi disciplinary team.  Contact: For more information and to apply visit <a href="http://wwwp.coventry.ac.uk/d/1198/$/a/5725">http://wwwp.coventry.ac.uk/d/1198/$/a/5725</a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3768 Criminal Justice Link Officer 3767 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:12:00 +0000  Type: Permanent   Employer: HAFAL   Location: Neath   Salary: £21,601 - £23,791   Closing Date: 19/02/10   Description: Hafal empowers people with serious mental illness and their families to achieve a better quality of life, to fulfil their ambitions for recovery, to fight discrimination, and to enjoy equal access to health and social care, housing, income, education and employment. Hafal (meaning "equal") operates over 60 projects across Wales including supported housing, employment, and other community-based services. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund Mental Health Matters programme to support people with a mental illness in the criminal justice system   Contact: For a recruitment pack email: <a href="mailto:recruitment@hafal.org">recruitment@hafal.org</a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3767 IAPT High Intensity Trainee 3766 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:11:35 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: Turning Point   Location: Bristol   Salary: £24,831 - £33,346   Closing date: 13/04/2010   Description: Rightsteps is a flagship pilot service developed by Turning Point that will offer new and innovative ways to deliver an integrated, holistic psychological wellbeing service across the UK. We'll be working in conjunction with a number of PCTs across the nation to ensure that it reaches its full potential. Now we're looking for you to play your part too. This is an outstanding opportunity to work within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, delivering high intensity interventions whilst also undertaking a programme of training. This intensive post will equip you with all you need to provide a range of high intensity interventions in Step 3 of a stepped care approach to managing distress. As an enthusiastic clinician with experience in delivering high quality mental health care to people in needs, you'll be passionate about delivering effective mental health services and ready for the challenge of providing an equitable service to all levels of need across an exciting and diverse district. Inspired by our vision for Rightsteps and the social model of mental health, which works holistically according to risk and need, you'll gladly embrace new ways of working to engage and meet the needs of our clients. Turning Point is a leading health & social care employer and provides a good remuneration package, pension scheme, and excellent training and development opportunities.  Contact: Find out more at <a href="http://www.turning-point.co.uk/workforus/Pages/IAPTvacancies.aspx?utm_source=Mentalhealthjobs.co.uk&utm_medium=Listing&utm_campaign=IAPT%2BJobs" target="_blank">www.turning-point.co.uk/workforus/iapt</a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3766 Gene Link to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 3736 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:18:30 +0000 A gene that causes compulsive behaviour in dogs like pacing and sucking their flanks may help researchers better understand obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans. Scientists at the Broad Institute in Cambridge analysed the DNA of 92 dogs with compulsive behaviour and found a common gene link amongst them. The gene, Cadherin 2, has recently been linked to autism in humans. This gene will now be studied in 300 people affected by OCD and 400 of their relatives to see if it functions in the same way. Dr. Michael Slifer, an assistant professor of human genetics and genomics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine said, "It's certainly true we have basically the same gene in us, so it's an intriguing lead, but there's a lot more work that has to be done to see if this particular finding is relevant to human health and obsessive compulsive disorder. "But even if this particular finding is not directly relevant, it still gives us clues as to the pathways and processes that may be going on in humans as well as some possible targets for intervention and treatment." Read more > <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/635039.html" target="_blank">http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/635039.html</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4815">Get help for Obsessive Compusive Disorder > </a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3736 Family Conflict is Bad for Children's Mental Health 3735 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:16:50 +0000 Research by the Children's Society suggests that 7% of children aged between 10 and 15 in England are significantly unhappy with family rows. Children who report that their family get along well are an average 20% happier, regardless of whether they have a lone parent or live with step-parents. The impact of family conflict is therefore much more important than family structure.  Fortunately the vast majority of children studies placed themselves above the half-way point measure on a happiness scale and the average well-being score was 7.7 out of 10. Other areas of unhappiness for those studied included where they lived, the school they attended, school work, the amount of choice they have in life, the amount of freedom they have and what might happen to them in later life. The highest levels of unhappiness were recorded about appearance and confidence Survey co-author Professor Jonathan Bradshaw, of the University of York, said: "This survey makes a major contribution to our understanding of children's subjective well-being in England and the factors that contribute to it. "It also establishes a valuable benchmark that we can use to track changes in well-being over time." <a href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whats_happening/media_office/latest_news/19895_pr.html" target="_blank">Read more about this article > www.childrenssociety.org.uk/whats_happening/media_office/latest_news/19895_pr.html</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7018">Get help for childhood anxiety > </a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3735 Two Supported Volunteering Advisors - Mental Health and Disability 3734 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:08:35 +0000  Type: Permanent, Part-time   Employer: Richmond Council for Voluntary Service   Location: Richmond, Surrey   Salary: £25,000   Closing Date: 22/02//10   Description: Each Adviser will deliver the key elements of the Richmond CVS Supported Volunteering Service to their target group. One will work with people with mental health problems and the other with people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. The postholders will promote volunteering to their target group. They will recruit and place volunteers and continue to support both the individual and the volunteer-involving organisation to ensure success. They will also offer individual mentoring and peer-support networks   Contact: To request an application pack email <a href="mailto:jobs@richmondcvs.org.uk">jobs@richmondcvs.org.uk</a> or call 020 8255 8500   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3734 African Caribbean Carers Caseworker 3733 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:08:11 +0000  Type: Permanent, Part-time   Employer: Trafford Carers Centre   Location: Trafford   Salary: £17,161 - £19,126   Closing Date: 11/02/10   Description: We are looking for suitable applicants who have experience in working with African Caribbean communities. The post will provide an assessment and support service to carers of people with mental health needs aged 18-65. Applicants must have: Strong empathic listening skills and advice/advocacy skills 2 years minimum experience in mental health  Contact: For more information call 0161 861 7337   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3733 Team Leader Type: Permanent Employer: Maytree Respite Centre Location: London Salary: £44,000 Closing date: 19/02/2010 Description: Maytree is a registered charity offering a short-stay befriending service for people in suicidal crisis and is based 3732 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:07:24 +0000  Type: Permanent    Employer: Maytree Respite Centre   Location: London   Salary: £44,000   Closing date: 19/02/2010   Description: Maytree is a registered charity offering a short-stay befriending service for people in suicidal crisis and is based in a residential area of north London.  We are now looking to recruit an experienced individual to provide support to this exciting service. This is an outstanding and challenging role which offers excellent opportunities for an exceptional candidate:  The Team Leader is responsible for the day to day delivery of befriending services to guests at Maytree, including provision of on-call cover, and will lead on volunteer recruitment, training and supervision and on the training and supervision of assistant staff.  Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years' experience within Mental Health services or therapeutic settings, together with experience of assessing risk and supporting those in suicidal crisis.   Contact: Request an information pack at <a href="http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/960324/teamleader/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=79&Apply.y=9">http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/960324/teamleader/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=79&Apply.y=9</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3732 Breakthrough in Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 3694 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:30:08 +0000 Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has never been easy but researchers in Minnesota, USA, believe that have found a way to confirm the disorder by measuring electromagnetic fields in the brain. This breakthrough has the potential to help those affected by the Haiti disaster and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers anticipated to return from fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq with PTSD. Dr. Apostolos Georgopoulos, who co-led the research, said "This shows that PTSD is a brain disease. There have been questions that this is a made-up disorder and isn't a true brain disease, but it is. Just as importantly, the magnetic-imaging biomarker shows changes over time in a brain's electrical activity, allowing mental-health workers to chart the effectiveness of various therapies. It will be a tremendous tool in monitoring treatment. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1956315,00.html?xid=rss-topstories" target="_blank">Read more > www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1956315,00.html?xid=rss-topstories</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4839">Learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ></a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3694 Ambidextrous Children at Risk of Mental Ill-health 3693 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:28:14 +0000 Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a link between children who can write with both hands and mental illness. Of the 87 children (of a total 8,000) children studied, researchers found that by the age of seven or eight they were twice as likely to have language difficulties and poor school performance. By the time they reached fifteen or sixteen they were also likely to be affected by attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Dr Alina Rodriguez, from Imperial College London, who led the study, said, "Mixed-handedness is intriguing - we don't know why some people prefer to make use of both hands when most people use only one. (This research) suggests that some children who are mixed-handed experience greater difficulties in school than their left- and right-handed friends. We think that there are differences in the brain that might explain these difficulties, but there needs to be more research. Our results should not be taken to mean that all children who are mixed-handed will have problems at school or develop ADHD. " <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7055204/Ambidextrous-children-more-likely-to-have-mental-health-problems-and-difficulties-in-school.html" target="_blank">Read more > www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7055204/Ambidextrous-children-more-likely-to-have-mental-health-problems-and-difficulties-in-school.html</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7018">Get help for your child > </a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3693 Mental Health Support Worker 3690 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:10:08 +0000   Type: Permanent   Employer: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust   Location: Peterborough   Salary: £17,732 - £21,318   Closing Date: 08/02//10   Description: This exciting post offers the post holder the ability to work with many different people within their homes, and other settings, to enable independence by offering emotional and practical support. You will work with a friendly, busy and lively multi disciplinary team within the older people's mental health team at the Pines in Peterborough. You will be provided with supervision and support. You should also be motivated to continue professional development.   Contact: For further information and to apply visit <a href="http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912417331">http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912417331</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3690 Peer Support Co-ordinator 3689 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:09:42 +0000   Type: Contract, Full-time   Employer: Mind   Location: Bromley   Salary: £20,507 (salary review pending)   Closing Date: 04/02/10   Description: Bromley Mind provides services for people with mental health needs living in the London Borough of Bromley. The successful candidate will enjoy interesting roles within friendly teams and see satisfying outcomes from their work.  Our pioneering Peer Support project recruits, trains and supports people with experience of mental health issues into volunteering roles. Its success to date means that you will also be responsible for co-ordinating training in other organisations as required. As an enthusiastic enabler with a strong commitment to service user involvement, you will have previous experience of mental health and supporting staff/volunteers.   Contact: Request an information pack via <a href="http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/958400/peer-support-co-ordinator/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=105&Apply.y=11">http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/apply/958400/peer-support-co-ordinator/?JobBoardView=true&Apply.x=105&Apply.y=11</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3689 IAPT Psychological Well Being Trainee 3688 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:57:20 +0000   Type: Permanent    Employer: Turning Point   Location: Various   Salary: £17,732 - £21,318   Closing date: 13/04/2010   Description: Rightsteps is a flagship pilot service developed by Turning Point that will offer new and innovative ways to deliver an integrated, holistic psychological wellbeing service across the UK. We'll be working in conjunction with a number of PCTs across the nation to ensure that it reaches its full potential. Now we're looking for you to play your part too.  This is an outstanding opportunity to work within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, delivering low intensity interventions whilst also undertaking a programme of training. This intensive, creative yet structured post will equip you with all you need to provide a range of low intensity interventions to support people in Step 2 of a stepped care approach to managing distress.  As an enthusiastic clinician with experience in delivering high quality mental health care to people in needs, you'll be passionate about delivering effective mental health services and ready for the challenge of providing an equitable service to all levels of need across an exciting and diverse district. Inspired by our vision for Rightsteps and the social model of mental health, which works holistically according to risk and need, you'll gladly embrace new ways of working to engage and meet the needs of our clients.  Turning Point is a leading health & social care employer and provides a good remuneration package, pension scheme, and excellent training and development opportunities.   We are currently recruiting in the following locations: Bristol, East Sussex (due to open Mar 10).  We would also welcome speculative applications for other locations in order that we may contact you as soon as a suitable vacancy arises.  Contact: To apply please forward your completed application form or CV to <a href="mailto:turningpoint@myfuturecareer.co.uk">turningpoint@myfuturecareer.co.uk</a> with a supporting statement outlining the reasons why you believe you have the skills to contribute to our vision.  Please quote Reference No R419S2000 and state the location of interest.  Alternatively to find out more please visit <a href="http://www.turning-point.co.uk/iapt">http://www.turning-point.co.uk/iapt</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3688 High Intensity CBT Therapist 3662 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:09:12 +0000   Type: Permanent   Employer: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust   Location: Brighton an dHove   Salary: £29,789 - £39,273   Closing Date: 27/01/10   Description: We have a number of excellent opportunities in Brighton and Hove within our IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service.  This post is an opportunity to join our core IAPT team helping us to continue to deliver and develop the service alongside Access colleagues.  Brighton and Hove are pleased to have been an early pathfinder site and to have taken a lead role in the setting up and delivery of this innovative and fast moving service.  The IAPT service sits within our Access Services and contributes to our provision of a broad range of interventions within a multidisciplinary, stepped care approach.  Our IAPT services continue to expand with a new intake of trainees coming into the team during 2010. Meanwhile our service continues to evolve, providing interventions within a range of settings including local universities and employment agencies.  You will need to be experienced and suitably qualified but also enthusiastic and highly motivated to take the service forwards.  Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust offers excellent training and continued professional development opportunities.  Contact: Apply via <a href="http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/">http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/</a> with reference 354-PY-BH-AS-002-10   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3662 Northern Service Mental Health Inclusion Worker 3661 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:08:35 +0000   Type: Contract, Full-time   Employer: Women in Prison   Location: York   Salary: £23,562 - £24,480   Closing Date: 25/01/10   Description: Do you have a commitment to working within a women-centred service and to making a real difference to vulnerable women's lives?  Women in Prison Ltd is a unique, national charity. We currently have vacancies in both the North and South of England:  Your role will involve providing advocacy, support, and advice services to women prisoners, ex-prisoners or women at risk of offending who have a diagnosed mental health support need or a history of traumatic life experience. With extensive experience of working within the mental health sector, and knowledge of relevant mental health policy and legislation and its impact on women within the criminal justice system you will develop individual and group based interventions with women in custody and in the community.  You will develop and deliver specialist training and advice to other organisations.  This post is funded by The Equality and Human Rights Commission  WIP strongly encourages applications from women from minority ethnic groups and women ex-offenders   Contact: Apply via <a href="http://www.womeninprison.org.uk/jobvacancies.php">http://www.womeninprison.org.uk/jobvacancies.php</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3661 Chief Executive 3660 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:07:50 +0000 <div> Type: Permanent </div> <div> Employer: MDF</div> <div> Location: London</div> <div> Salary: £50,000 </div> <div> Closing date: 01/02/2010</div> <div> Description: Stephen Fry has it, our former patron Spike Milligan had it and Virginia Woolf died from it. Bipolar disorder is an extraordinary illness, which affects up to at least 1 million people in the UK, turning their lives upside down.</div>  MDF the Bipolar Organisation, formerly the Manic Depression Fellowship, is the biggest service user-led mental health charity in the country, with over 4,000 members and an extensive network of self-help groups. We provide services, information and support for people with bipolar and their carers, and campaign for their rights.  Our newly invigorated Board is now seeking to appoint a Chief Executive to work with our committed and passionate staff and trustees to take the charity in a fresh direction. Our ambition is to provide an even better service to our members and to the hundreds of thousands of people we are not yet reaching.  The successful candidate will need to be an experienced, confident, leader and manager, with demonstrable experience of change management, strategic planning and delivery. They will be tireless and passionate about our cause.  Qualification Level: Degree equivalent   Contact: Apply via <a href="http://www.mdf.org.uk/">http://www.mdf.org.uk/</a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3660 Schoolboys Taught to Meditate 3659 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:06:42 +0000 A pioneering course in meditation and stress relief is being taught to schoolboys at Tonbridge School in Kent. For 10 months, all year ten school boys will receive a 40 minute 'mindfulness' class designed by psychologists from Oxford and Cambridge. As well as developing skills in concentration the school reports that lessons help pupils identify 'corrosive' mindsets that could lead to mental health problems. This view is supported by Andrew McCulloch of the Mental Health Foundation who believes there is good evidence to show mindfulness training can help people proactively avoid depression and anxiety in later life. New research also suggests that meditation can help make people more intelligent and significantly reduce the risk of heart attack for people with heart disease. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6972121/Schoolboys-getting-classes-in-meditation-and-stress-relief.html" target="_blank">Read this article > www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6972121/Schoolboys-getting-classes-in-meditation-and-stress-relief.html</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8671">Find out more > </a>     http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3659 Women Addicted to Gambling on the Rise 3658 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:00:48 +0000 The number of women with a gambling problem has doubled in recent years and now makes up a quarter of addicts. The proportion of women with an online gambling problem is thought to be much higher. Charities helping compulsive gamblers report large increases in the number of female callers and the problem is expected to get worse as online gambling becomes easier to access and women. Unfortunately the number of women seeking help is low. The National Problem Gambling Cinic has launched a child-minding service to encourage more women to seek help. Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, consultant psychiatrist says "We know there is a significant impact on children of gamblers and it's difficult for women with children to get to a clinic," said Bowden-Jones. "So we hoped offering this service might bring more women out of the isolation, the shame and the guilt that they might be enduring alone, hidden away at home. "The women we see are across the social spectrum, low income to high income. Losing £1,000 for one woman is equal to losing £100,000 for another. Often you are addressing people who are quite hurt and damaged and are self-medicating with gambling." <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/17/women-gamblers-online-addiction" target="_blank">Read more > www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/17/women-gamblers-online-addiction</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4806">Get help for gambling ></a> <a href="../../../../single.htm?ipg=4806"></a>   http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3658 Grow Your Mental Health Career Down Under 3631 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:22:50 +0000 <div> Type: Permanent  </div> <div> Employer: Queensland Health</div> <div> Location: Australia  Salary: TBC  Closing date: 15/02/2010  Description: Temporary and permanent career opportunities exist for mental health professionals with Queensland Australia's public healthcare provider, Queensland Health.  Our services are expanding and are due to open in late 2010 and 2011 and we are looking for skilled mental health professionals to join our inpatient teams. </div>  Exciting career opportunities exist in our: <ul> <li>Adult acute inpatient units</li> <li>Community care units</li> <li>Adolescent inpatient units and day programs</li> <li>Medium secure units.</li> </ul>  Thanks to the Queensland sub-tropical climate, relaxed outdoors lifestyle, and growing economy and infrastructure, Queensland Health is the perfect place to advance your career.  We can also offer relocation assistance to help you make the move.*  The five star rewards for mental health nurses in Queensland Health are: <ul> <li>Big financial rewards + great perks</li> <li>Good career progression</li> <li>Training + education</li> <li>Dream Aussie lifestyle</li> <li>Flexible work hours.</li> </ul>  Contact: Apply via <a href="http://www.health.qld.gov.au/mh">www.health.qld.gov.au/mh</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3631 Mental Health Project Worker - Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship 3630 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:21:44 +0000  Type: Contract, Part-time  Employer: Catholic Bishops Conference  Location: London  Salary: £25,442 pro rata plus benefits  Closing Date: 22/01/10  Description: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) is the permanent assembly of Catholic Bishops in these countries. Since 2006 the Conference has been developing resources for the pastoral care of those affected by mental ill-health, through both the Everybody's Welcome and the Day For Life national projects. We now have funding to appoint a part-time Mental Health Project Worker for two years to develop this work further.  The successful applicant will encourage, inspire and increase the availability of local spiritual and pastoral support, in accordance with the teachings and ethos of the Catholic Church, for individuals and families affected by mental health problems, across the Catholic community in England and Wales, through <ul> <li>identifying and promoting existing good practices</li> <li>devising a small grants programme</li> <li>developing and sustaining networks</li> </ul>  To be successful in this role, applicants must be an energetic and resilient self-starter with recent experience of working in voluntary or public sector mental health organisations or services and with proven success in effectively engaging with faith-based communities and volunteers. Applicants must also have excellent interpersonal, communication and project management skills as well as working knowledge of the range of statutory and voluntary services available to foster mental health.  We are seeking a committed member of the Catholic Church for this role. Because of the nature of this post, we have applied a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Section 7 of the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003.  Contact: Apply via <a href="http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/951804/mental-health-project-worker-department-of-christian-responsibility-and-citizenship/">http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/951804/mental-health-project-worker-department-of-christian-responsibility-and-citizenship/</a>  http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3630 Head of Recruitment 3629 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:21:01 +0000  Type: Permanent  Employer: Hudson  Location:Northampton  Salary: £45,000 - £50,000  Closing Date: not stated  Description: Our client is the UK's largest not-for-profit mental health care charity. They have built a culture encouraging innovative practices, leading clinical expertise and forward-thinking attitudes, by putting their service users needs at the heart of everything they do. Through this, St Andrew's Healthcare is fast-becoming a national centre of excellence. Employing nearly 4,000 staff across the UK they are currently undergoing an exciting expansion phase and require an inspirational Head of Recruitment support the delivery of their future plans.  Reporting to the HR Director, and as a key member of the senior HR team, the successful applicant will have responsibility for the implementation of an ambitious resource strategy that will be pivotal to the Charity's continued growth and success.  Key Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Devise and implement a 3-year Strategic Workforce plan that reflects current and predicted requirements.</li> <li>Deliver a high quality, integrated recruitment strategy for new developments delivering the right people to the right services on time.</li> <li>Implement an advertising strategy to promote St Andrew's Healthcare as an employer of choice.</li> <li>Implement a competency based selection processes.</li> <li>Review the working practices and structure of the recruitment team to ensure the highest standard of service and added value.</li> <li>Lead on the recruitment element of a wider integrated HR information system project.</li> <li>Take responsibility for Equality and Diversity, managing the Diversity Manager</li> </ul>  The Person  To be successful in this role you will be a commercially driven individual who possesses a high level of technical and managerial competence, combined with presence, you will act as an internal and external brand ambassador and support the development of the culture and values of the charity. A can do attitude, supported by a track record of creating and implementing strategic resourcing initiatives is key. Substantial experience in recruitment and selection at all levels, acquired in a high-growth, people invested business is essential.  Contact: or an informal, confidential, discussion please call - Gemma Nelson on 01908 547 982. Any third party CV's will be forwarded to Hudson HR. Please note you will receive an automated response advising you that we have received your CV. Application Email: <a href="mailto:gemma.nelson@jobs.hudson.com">gemma.nelson@jobs.hudson.com</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3629 Mindfulness-based Treatments 3628 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:19:17 +0000 Mindfulness is described by the Mental Health Foundation as a "way of paying attention to the present moment by using meditation, yoga and breathing techniques." The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses for people who had had depression at least three times. Clinical trials show that mindfulness cut the rate of relapse by half for people with recurrent depression. As mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is hard to access the Mental Health Foundation are calling for meditation techniques to be made available on the NHS. Read more about this story > <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/media/news-releases/news-releases-2009/4-january-2010/" target="_blank">www.mentalhealth.org.uk/media/news-releases/news-releases-2009/4-january-2010/</a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7670">Get help for depression ></a> <a href="http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8671">Read about The Compassionate Mind > </a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3628 Have Your Say On-line 3627 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:16:00 +0000 Patient Opinion is a social enterprise that allows service users to have their say about how health services could be improved. Since the services was opened in 2005 24,000 comments have been read by service providers. A joint NHS Choices and Patient Opinion service to NHS mental health trusts has just been launched. Not only will mental health trusts be able to see comments about their services from their patients but they will also be trained by Patient Opinion in how to respond to them. One head of services at a mental health trust who piloted the feedback service said that the comments she received helped her to take action: "The first posting we got was a very negative one, about an area where there were genuine issues that were already causing unhappiness for staff, managers and patients," she recalls. "The posting gave me an opportunity to call a clinical meeting without middle managers or frontline workers feeling that I was interfering or non-trusting. Because the comments came from a service user, people could see this wasn't management just being critical. And because the posting was public on the web, I was able to get a sense of urgency in responding to it." An action plan was drawn up with staff, posted back onto Patient Opinions and because staff had helped write the plan they were more willing to put it into action.  Read more > <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/06/mental-health-drug-users-services" target="_blank">www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/06/mental-health-drug-users-services</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3627 Mental Health Warning Over Christmas 3575 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:46:28 +0000 Edel Fortune, clinical manager of the Wellness and Recovery Centre at St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin has warned that Christmas can be a time of immense stress for many people and as a result, physical and mental health can suffer. Although suicide rates fall at Christmas the increase directly afterwards and peak on New Year's Day. Tips for surviving Christmas include not putting too much pressure on yourself and not using alcohol as a crutch. Physical changes - such as poor sleep, tearfulness or changes in appetite - that continue for more than 2 weeks are signs of stress and help should be sought from a doctor. Read more > <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=76426">www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=76426</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3575 Memories can be Re-written 3574 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:45:40 +0000 Scientists at New York University have discovered that memories can be 're-written' by psychologists if they are manipulated soon after being retrieved. By manipulating memory within 6 hours of it being recalled, the researchers were able to make people's memories less traumatic. This has huge potential for helping people with phobias and anxiety disorders. The researchers sat participants in front of a computer screen flashing different coloured squares. When a blue square appeared, the participants were given an electric shock. The next day sensors were placed on the volunteers and again they were shown different squares of colour. When the blue square appeared the participants anxiety levels rose. To erase the memory that linked blue squares with pain, the participants were shown the flashing squares of colour with no electric shocks. When the participants were tested again they showed no signs of anxiety with the blue squares - the researchers believe their memories had been re-written and demonstrate the potential to disrupt fear memories without use of medicines. Read more> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/dec/09/memories-rewritten-anxiety-disorders">www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/dec/09/memories-rewritten-anxiety-disorders</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3574 Deputy Programme Manager - National Audit of Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia 3573 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:39:59 +0000  Type: Permanent  Employer: Royal College of Psychiatrists  Location: London  Salary: £27,205  Closing Date: 08/01/10  Description: The College Centre for Quality Improvement, (CCQI) is a multi-disciplinary team of research and development workers who research, audit and evaluate mental health services. We are expanding the work that we carry out and are now seeking dynamic a Deputy Programme Manager. Successful candidates will administer and support the delivery of these national audit programmes. If you are looking for a career in quality improvement or health service development, this post would be ideal for you. We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment and expertise we offer great benefits and the chance to make your mark on our work.  Contact: For more information about the job and to apply visit <a href="http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/college/vacancies.aspx">http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/college/vacancies.aspx</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3573 Head of Mental Health Social Work Services 3572 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:39:28 +0000  Type: Permanent  Employer: London Borough of Suttong  Location: Suttong  Salary: £59,697 - £67,572  Closing Date: 04/01/10  Description: Our vision for London Borough of Sutton Mental Health Services is to deliver the best quality of care and support for life for citizens of Sutton who have mental health needs and to develop, with South West London Mental Health Trust, the business to meet changing needs. In practice this means providing excellent services and delivering real outcomes for people with mental health problems in Sutton. If you want to be part of the dynamic progress of change in social care and mental health service then this may be the job for you as an exciting opportunity has arisen within our Mental Health Services to lead the delivery of the social work service and Council priorities and help to ensure the we deliver continuous and sustained improvements in our service delivery, value for money and customer satisfaction. You must demonstrate an ability to effectively manage and engage with a variety of people, have excellent communication, organisation, motivation and leadership skills and have an ability to inspire others, anticipate and promote change, and maintain focus on the needs of the people with mental health problems. You will provide expert advice and be able to use existing intelligence and seek out new intelligence, to help inform the drive for continuous improvement. You will recognise the benefits of performance management and social work governance and be able to discuss and demonstrate how this is used to improve services. If you are a dynamic, enthusiastic, professional who is a team player, is self-motivated then this could be the role for you.  Contact: Apply via <a href="http://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1">http://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1</a> http://www.overcoming.co.uk/news/item.htm?pid=3572