www.overcoming.co.uk

European Depression Day Launches in Brussels

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:34:40 +0100

On October 1^st 2010, the European Depression Association (EDA) launched a year-long campaign ‘No Longer Alone in a Crowd’ urging people to recognise the vital role they play in supporting those with depression, and encouraging them to seek help.

Research[i] commissioned by the EDA has discovered nearly 1 in 8 (12%) people with depression felt they got hardly any or no support from healthcare professionals, while 64% felt they received a great deal or fair amount of support from friends and family. If someone they knew was diagnosed with depression, 86% of people would arrange to meet them to show that they cared. The results highlight the important role and support network provided by friends and family members.

A campaign website http://www.edaweb.eu/ has been set up to help people find out more about depression and what is happening in their country. A Facebook (www.facebook.com/EuropeanDepressionAssociation) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/The_EDA) account have also been set up to keep people updated about the campaign.

Find out more about how to overcome depression >

Chilean Miners Likely to Have Mental Health Needs

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:33:48 +0100

Around the World people celebrated as the Chilean miners, trapped underground for nearly two months, were rescued. The miners seemed in surprisingly good physical health but the effects on their mental health are yet to be established. Over the next 6 months the miners will receive regular medical checks to monitor the appearance of any stress-related illnesses. It is expected that some will suffer flashbacks, anxiety and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder but may be unused to asking for help. The men will also have to deal with the pressures of becoming internationally famous.

Dr Peter Collett, an Oxford-based psychologist, said:

"What they don't realise is that if they thought it was hell down there, it's going to be nothing compared with what they are going to experience. This will overshadow everything else that has ever happened to them and everything that happens in the future. Events like this recalibrate people and give them a new perspective on life. They will feel like different people and it is critical that they are helped to understand the feelings and experiences that are coming."

Throughout their ordeal, the miners and their families have been supported by a team of 23 local psychologists and will be given every assistance in readjusting to their new lives.

Read more about this story >

Find out more about traumatic stress >

A New Guide to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:32:34 +0000

The British Medical Journal has produced an on-line video guide to CBT. Click here to view it www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2009/nov/04/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt-guide

Senior Primary Care Mental Health Worker

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:59 +0100

Type: Fixed Term Temporary
Employer: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Uckfield
Salary: £24,831 - £33,436
Closing Date: 02/11/09
Description: Are you looking for an exciting new challenge? We have a vacancy for a practitioner with skills and experience in providing assessment and liaison in primary care, as well as delivering evidence based mental health care. You are likely to have experience as a Mental Health Practitioner. A highly motivated team player, you will join the Primary Care Mental Health and Improving Access to Psychological Therapy service, providing stepped care for people experiencing common mental health problems. This post will be for a fixed term until 31st March 2010.

Contact: For more information and to apply visit http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912360489

Approved Mental Health Practitioner

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:32 +0100

Type: Permanent
Employer: Health and Social Services Guernsey Govt Dept
Location: Guernsey
Salary: £34,234 - £39,714 plus generous relocation package/accommodation allowance
Closing Date: 04/11/09
Description: As part of our Community Mental Health Teams you will provide Mental Health Social Work Services, principally in Acute Mental Health, as well as further develop community initiatives and organise off-Island placements.

Registered with the UK General Social Care Council and possessing a relevant Approved Social Work qualification, you will be required to have significant post qualification experience.

We are keen to hear from Approved Mental Health Practitioners/ASWs with good organisational and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work to deadlines and manage a varied caseload of both statutory and non-statutory work.

Contact: For an informal discussion or for more information please contact Sue Fleming, Senior Manager on 01481 725241 ext 3304. For an application pack please visit: http://www.health.gov.gg or call 01481 707444 (24 hour answerphone). http://www.health.gov.gg

School Age Primary Mental Health Worker

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:29:52 +0100

Type: Contract

Employer: NHS Trust

Location: London

Salary: £35,746 - £45,353

Closing date: 28/10/09

Description: The Trust is committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. We have an unstinting commitment to supporting the mental health of Wandsworth's children and young people. That commitment is underpinned by a shared vision set out in our local Children & Young People's Mental Health Strategy As part of the second year of the Strategy's implementation, Wandsworth Borough Council, NHS Wandsworth and the South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust are working together to develop new ways of working. Three pilot projects are being commissioned to explore how we can best deliver mental health services in community settings. The Borough has also been selected as a pathfinder for the national Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS) programme. Together, these projects create a unique and exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the way in which mental health services are delivered to children and young people in the Borough. We want to develop effective mental health services that children, young people and their parents/carers want to use and to deliver them in the everyday settings they frequent. We are looking for people who are committed to this vision, enthusiastic about innovation and understand the issues our children and young people face. Working alongside the Marlborough Family Education Service, this pilot has a specific remit to deliver multi-family group therapy in schools, working with families where there are mental health issues affecting a child's attainment and school attendance. Training will be provided for 2 PMHWs to work alongside school staff to deliver holistic family work and parenting skills education.

Contact: http://www.mentalhealthjobs.co.uk/jobs/5967.html

Bullying Teacher Banned

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:33:30 +0100

A newly qualified, primary school teacher bullied her pupils so badly that they began to show signs of psychological abuse. The General Teaching Council for Wales in Cardiff has suspended the teacher for a year and insists she train in positive behaviour management before being allowed to re-register.

Some children were withdrawn, bed-wetting and having nightmares. One child could not stand noise and would go straight to bed after school. Another asked for his red hair to be dyed brown so he would draw less attention from the teacher. Concerned parents and teachers approached the school's head-teacher who decided to monitor the teacher's behaviour closely and offered support and assistance.

The teachers' union UCAC supported the teacher throughout her hearing. She has now resigned and did not attend the hearing due to health problems which the Union claim affected her behaviour towards pupils.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6230941/Primary-school-teacher-bullied-class-so-badly-they-had-nightmares.html

Read more about Childhood Trauma

Overcoming Childhood Trauma is a self-help guide, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and based upon research, clinical work and patient feedback. Its approach is very much "step by step", allowing you to build gradually upon solid progress. http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7632

First Ever Survey of NHS Mental Health Inpatients

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:32:40 +0100

The survey was carried out by the Care Quality Commission who regulate health and social care. It was based on interviews with 7,500 people recently discharged from 64 NHS trusts across England the survey and revealed that 73% of people described their care overall as good or excellent. More than two-thirds said psychiatrists treated them with respect and dignity.

Less positive results showed that almost half felt that potential side-effects of medicines were not explained to their satisfaction and that physical health needs were not dealt with fully. Many did not have access to counselling, anxiety management or other talking treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy.

The Commission has promised to act to ensure that NHS trusts improve services and provide therapeutic environments in which patients can feel safe and recover. They also want trusts to provide adequate access to activities and talking treatments.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/sep/24/mental-health-patients-feel-unsafe

Read more about anxiety

Overcoming Anxiety is a available as a classic self-help guide and a self-help course. It is recommended on the NHS Books on Prescription scheme. http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=5082

Mental health resilience and inequalities

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:31:55 +0100

"If we are to prosper and thrive in our changing society and in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, both our mental and material resources will be vital".

The Mental Health Foundation's new report presents the evidence to prove that poor mental health is a cause and consequence of social, economic and environmental inequalities. It notes the ever-increasing stresses and strains of modern life and asks some tough questions, for example, what impact is the breakdown in the traditional family unit having on both individuals and society? The report also recognises that many people thrive in our communities, resilient to adversity and the stresses of modern living.

Drawing together international research, the Report outlines a number of key findings and proposes some priorities for action including:

Creating social, cultural and economic conditions that support family life
Providing education that equips children to flourish economically and emotionally
Enabling employment opportunities, pay and conditions that promote and protect mental health
Promoting partnerships between health and other sectors to address social and economic problems that are a catalyst for psychological distress
Reducing policy and environmental barriers to social contact, for example, by developing policy responses to personal misfortune

As the Report puts it,

"It is also becoming increasingly clear, notably in campaigns on the environment and sustainable development, that communities across Europe place a high value on wellbeing. The limitations of consumerism are being more widely reflected upon, especially in relation to children and family life and the basis of civic society. We will have to face up to the fact that individual and collective mental health and well-being will depend on reducing the gap between rich and poor."

The Report is a fascinating read and can be downloaded for free from www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/?entryid5=68603&q=684278%c2%acMental+health,+resilience+and+inequalities%c2%ac

The Overcoming series is changing...

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:31:21 +0100

The Overcoming series has had a makeover! We're giving all books in the series a new cover and - most importantly - a more spacious, friendly layout with more of a workbook feel so that those using the books will find it even easier to put the techniques into practical use.

We've had overwhelmingly positive feedback about the new-look books so to celebrate we're giving away TEN FREE COPIES! Just tell us which Overcoming title you'd like and the first ten people to respond will receive their chosen copy. Just email your name and address to fritha@overcoming.co.uk.

We'll announce the winners in our next newsletter.

New Horizons, your say

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:30:12 +0100

The New Horizons paper sets out the Government's vision for mental health. In summary:

Most adults will understand the importance of good mental health and the steps they can take to look after themselves
Children will be taught about mental well-being in school
Lifestyle services and psychological treatments will be widely available
Innovative technologies will be used to promote independence and effective treatment
People with mental health problems will receive individual care packages and will be able to make decisions about their treatment and recovery plan, as well as monitoring their own condition
Public services will recognise the importance of services and amenities that maximise the independence of older people
Inequalities for black and minority ethnic groups, in terms of access to and experience of mental health care, will have disappeared
The stigma associated with mental health will have declined. People will know more about mental health problems and understand that they can happen to anyone
Everyone will have access to high quality care
People with mental illness will no longer be at greater risk of health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes
The association between poverty and mental/physical health will be better understood and addressed.

Until 15^th October 2009 the Department of Health is running a public consultation on the paper. To find out more and have your say visit www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Mentalhealth/NewHorizons/index.htm

Redundancy

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:29:47 +0100

In previous newsletters we have looked at the importance of employment to mental and emotional health. Increasingly, mental health workers are being asked to provide support to individuals going through redundancy procedures so we asked Judicium Consulting, one of the UK's leading Employment Law and Health and Safety consultancies, to give us an outline of UK employment law around redundancy:

Redundancy (basics)

1. Redundancy is about the work requirements of the employer not about the performance of any individual employee(s).

2. The fact that an employee is dismissed by reason of redundancy does not prevent him or her bringing a tribunal claim for unfair dismissal.

3. In general statutory redundancy pay is calculated in the same way as the basic award component of unfair dismissal compensation. Redundancy pay is set off against unfair dismissal basic award if the dismissal is subsequently found to have been unfair (so as a general rule they cancel each other out).

4. A minimum of two years continuous employment is required for a person to be entitled to statutory redundancy pay (it is one year for unfair dismissal claims).

5. Maximum amount of a week's pay which can be taken into account in calculating statutory redundancy pay is currently £350 (reviewed in February of each year).

6. Maximum statutory redundancy pay for an individual is £10.500, achievable only by an employee aged over 61 with 20 years continuous service. Maximum unfair dismissal compensation is generally £76,700. though in some cases there is no statutory limit.

7. Age discrimination. Since October 2006 age limits for entitlement to redundancy pay have been removed but the age-related parts of the formula for calculating statutory redundancy pay have not been removed.

8. The same dismissal procedures must be observed when a dismissal is by reason of redundancy as when dismissal is for any other reason.

9. An employee being dismissed by reason of redundancy is entitled to notice.

10. Special consultation rules apply if 20 or more employees are to be dismissed at one establishment within a 90 day period and employment tribunals can award very substantial "protective awards" if these consultation rules are not followed.

Redundancy (some subtleties)

1. It is a criminal offence for an employer to fail to give written details of calculation of a redundancy payment to a redundant employee.

2. An employee may be able to claim the equivalent of statutory redundancy pay from the State if his employer fails to pay it.

3. If an employee is made redundant without being told why he was selected, it is likely that an employment tribunal would find the dismissal was unfair dismissal for that reason alone.

4. It is a breach of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 to select employees for redundancy by virtue of their status as part time workers, unless justifiable on objective grounds.

5. Until October 2006 statutory redundancy pay due to an employee would be reduced or extinguished if he or she was entitled to an occupational pension starting within the 90 weeks after the redundancy. This is no longer so.

6. If a woman's job becomes redundant while she is on maternity leave she will be treated as automatically unfairly dismissed if the employer had a suitable available vacancy but failed to offer it to her. A "small employer exception" to this rule was ended in April 2007.
7. Civil servants are not eligible for statutory redundancy pay but their terms of service usually give them equivalent or better rights by contract. Local Authority staff and other public sector employees who are not civil servants are eligible for statutory redundancy pay under normal rules.

8. In deciding whether selection of an individual for redundancy was unfair (so that the employee concerned can claim unfair dismissal) an employment tribunal must not substitute its own view for that of the employer as to what was reasonable either in respect of redundancy selection criteria or implementation of the criteria. Rather the tribunal must consider the wider question of whether the selection was one that a reasonable employer acting reasonably could have made.

9. Where a business is closing and 20 or more employees at one establishment are being made redundant the employer's statutory obligation to consult extends to consulting about reasons for the closure. Only in the rare situation where there is to be closure but redundancies could be avoided will consultation over the closure decision itself not be needed.

10. If an employer provides enhanced redundancy pay (ie an amount greater than that calculated in accordance with the statutory formula) it is unlawful age discrimination to pay all those being made redundant an amount calculated solely by reference to length of service or to pay them a flat amount regardless of age unless this can be objectively justified. Instead the enhanced redundancy pay must be calculated by applying the different multipliers which apply for different age groups where the statutory minimum is being paid.

Judicium Consulting are offering all Overcoming readers a free no-obligation review of the state of their organisations' current Health and Safety and Employment Law compliance. If you would like to take advantage of this offer please contact Graham Sanders on 020 7336 8403 or direct on 07944 579 715.

The Frameworks Institute

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:29:03 +0100

The Frameworks Institute is a non-profit research organisation founded in 1999 to help the non-profit sector to expand their constituency base, build public will, and to further public understanding of specific social issues.

Of particular interest is the Framework Institute's work on child and family mental health. Their research compared expert understanding with public patterns of thinking - the overall aim is to improve the communication of key health messages so that the general public are better equipped to deal with them.

To read the research and gain access to a number of free resources and toolkits, visit www.frameworksinstitute.org/cmh.html

Mental capital and wellbeing

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:28:37 +0100

The aim of the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing has been to advise the Government on how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for everyone in the UK in the future. The Project has used the best available scientific evidence to develop a vision for:

the opportunities and challenges facing the UK over the next 20 years and beyond, and the implications for everyone's mental development and mental wellbeing;
signposts to what we all need to do to meet the challenges ahead - Government, individuals and business.

The basic premise is that countries must learn how to capitalise on their citizen's cognitive resources if they are to prosper economically and socially.

Whilst the themes are broadly similar to the Mental Health Foundation's report on resilience and inequalities, this research goes further in defining mental capital and mental wellbeing and proposing priorities for action. It argues that mental capital "captures a key dimension of the elements that establish how well an individual is able to contribute to society and experience a high quality of life." Whilst mental wellbeing "is a dynamic state that refers to individuals' ability to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others and contribute to their community."

The project took 2 years to complete, involved more than 450 experts from 16 countries and used 80 peer-reviewed papers to summarise the latest evidence. To find out more visit

www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/ActiveProjects/Mental%20Capital/Welcome.asp

Win a copy of the new 2009 edition of Overcoming Depression

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:28:02 +0100

This month we're publishing the third edition of the bestselling Overcoming Depression by Professor Paul Gilbert. This fully revised edition has been extensively updated and rewritten to reflect over ten years of new research on understanding and treating depression, particularly the importance of developing compassionate ways of thinking, behaving and feeling. It contains helpful case studies and new, easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions and exercises to help the reader to understand their depression and lift their mood.

First published in 1997, Overcoming Depression is one of the world's most popular self-help books on depression, selling over 130,000 copies in the UK alone and translated into many other languages around the world. Professor Paul Gilbert is internationally recognised for his work on depression and is the Director of the Mental Health Research Unit, Derbyshire Mental Health Trust and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby. He is the author of Overcoming Depression: Talks With your Therapist (audio) and The Compassionate Mind.

To celebrate, we're giving away FIVE free copies! To be in with a chance of winning, just tell us the year in which the second edition of Overcoming Depression was published. Email your answer to fritha@overcoming.co.uk - the first five respondents will win a copy. We'll announce the winners in our next newsletter.

Buy from Amazon >

£15bn shortfall in the NHS

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:56:31 +0100

Dealing with the Downturn is an NHS Confederation report that predicts that NHS finances are likely to deteriorate dramatically after the current spending review in 2011. This is despite running a surplus of around £1.35bn in this financial year.

The report predicts funding to fall by 2.5% - 3% per annum or £8bn - £10bn. Over 5 years the cut could be as much as £15bn as public spending is dominated by the need to service debt. NHS chiefs believe that staffing cuts are unavoidable and that restrictions will come at a time when extra demands will emerge from the "negative health effects of recession in areas such as mental health and alcohol".

The report warns against traditional cost-saving mechanisms such as redundancy or cutting training and argues for improved quality and efficiency.

Red Nose Day funds England's mental health anti-stigma campaign

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:55:32 +0100

Comic Relief has given Time to Change a further £2 million grant. This means that England's biggest programme to end the stigma associated with mental ill-health, run by Mind and Rethink, now has a total of £20 million funding until 2011.

Despite one in four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point, nine out of 10 people who have had a mental health problem report the negative impact of stigma and discrimination, with many saying that the stigma can be worse than the mental health problem itself. Time to Change's national, social marketing campaign features TV, press and outdoor advertising, PR and community engagement. Launched in January, the campaign is fronted by Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax, Patsy Palmer and Alastair Campbell, and aims to get mental health issues onto the national agenda as the social justice issue of the 21st century.

Results from the campaign activity in January and February show that Time to Change is already making a difference - 57% of people who saw the advertising said that their opinions of people with mental health problems had improved as a direct result. Although the campaign is still in its early days, these promising results helped to give Comic Relief the confidence that Time to Change has the potential to deliver major social change. A further burst of campaign activity will begin on 13 July and continue throughout the summer and autumn, with more planned for 2010 and 2011.

Comic Relief's grant also goes towards Time to Change's 'Education Not Discrimination' scheme, which provides training around mental health stigma to future professionals who will have a significant impact on the lives of people with mental health issues - trainee teachers, trainee head teachers and school social inclusion officers, and medical students. So far the programme has worked with four medical schools and PGCE courses at five universities to train over 2000 students.

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Freebie alert!

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:53:15 +0100

For a free podcast from the Mental Health Foundation about dealing with fear and anxiety visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/wellbeing-podcasts/?entryid24=71078

Sharing information - an update

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:51:47 +0100

The Department of Health has been asked for advice on whether section 130B of the Mental Health Act 1983 allows independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) to see information in patients' records which would not be disclosed directly to the patient and, if so, whether IMHAs may share that information with patients.

Supplementary guidance has been produced. Key points are:

Record holders should not withhold information (there may be exceptional circumstances where this does not apply)
IMHAs should make clear to record holders whether or not they wish to see information which would not be disclosed to the patient
Record holders should make it clear when they are providing information that has not been disclosed to the patient
If there is a confidentiality issue then IMHAs should not pass on information relating to third parties without their consent (again there may be exceptional circumstances where this does not apply)
IMHAs must not pass on information which has not been disclosed to the patient because of a risk of serious harm.

To read the full guidance visit http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_098828

Caring for Carers

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:49:28 +0100

The 8^th to the 14^th June was Carers Week. Around 6 million people provide unpaid care to someone they know - they are an important part of the care team and are gradually being acknowledged as such with specific funding and legislation. The Department of Health has produced a useful portal for carers at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Carers/index.htm

To mark Carers Week, Rethink are republishing their title, Caring and Coping. This book answers the questions most commonly asked when someone is diagnosed as seriously mentally ill. Designed to provide a wide range of information in an easily accessible format, it offers strategies on dealing with some of the more practical day-to-day challenges which are thrown up with a diagnosis of mental illness, such as:

understanding the diagnosis and treatment being given
rights in care and treatment
carers rights
how to cope in a crisis

Fully updated to include information about changes to mental health law, community support and benefits, and with a new section on the criminal justice system, it is essential reading for carers.

Don't forget to check out Living with a Black Dog - our bestselling book for carers.

Read an Interview with Professor Paul Gilbert in The Guardian

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:22:00 +0100

Paul Gilbert, bestselling author of Overcoming Depression, was interviewed recently in The Guardian about what inspired him to write his new book The Compassionate Mind.

Read the interview >

Updated NICE Schizophrenia Guidelines

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:21:10 +0100

The NICE Schizophrenia treatment guidelines were first issued in 2003 but have now been updated. The changes include:

Primary healthcare professionals should routinely check the physical health of people with schizophrenia once a year. The results should be shared with the rest of the care team.
Health professionals must be culturally competent when it comes to BME groups and their approach to illness and treatments.
Atypical antipsychotics are no longer recommended as a first line treatment.
Service user preference is the deciding factor on whether to prescribe an oral antipsychotic
CBT and/or family therapy should be offered. Art therapy may also be offered.

Make sure these NICE recommended treatments are offered in your local trust by joining the Rethink e-campaign http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=32&ea.campaign.id=3084

Victims of Violence

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:20:43 +0100

Contrary to popular belief, people affected by major mental disorders are more likely to be the victims of violent crimes than the perpetrators of them.

A new study by Professor Brent Teasdale of the Georgia State University analysed data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study. This study interviewed psychiatric patients released from three hospitals every 10 weeks for a year about violence committed against them, stress, symptoms and social relationships.

Professor Teasdale found that when individuals with mental disorders experience increases in delusions, symptom severity and alcohol problems their rates of victimisation almost double. Teasdale suggests they may be more focused on their internal states and less able to manage their interactions with others. Other research suggests that carers are driven away by the symptoms, leaving individuals at more risk of abuse.

It is now a requirement that assessments routinely address abuse but the guidelines for doing this are vague. This study suggests that service users and their carers should be given extra support around safeguarding issues when symptoms are more prevalent.

The study, Mental Disorder and Violent Victimization, was published in the 2009 edition of Criminal Justice and Behavior.

Individual Budgets - Equine Assisted Learning

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:19:45 +0100

In our last newsletter we looked at the personalisation agenda and the challenges of implementing a self-directed support model. In this, our new, regular feature, we will bring you information about a range of innovative sources of support. Please get in touch if you know of an intervention that you'd like us to mention.

Equine assisted learning is an experiential approach to help people learn. Horses mirror humans and can pick up on inner feelings and behaviour traits. With guidance, this approach can help:

Change attitudes
Modify established behaviour patterns
Help individuals with personal development
Increase levels of self confidence and self esteem

EAQ (Equine Assisted Qualifications) are offering free introductory sessions and have experience in working with a wide range of people including those from disadvantaged groups, young people and offenders. EAQ is approved by the National Open College Network to offer a range of credit-based units which build to form a full qualification, equivalent to 5 GCSEs or above.

The units cover a wide range of skill (and can be tailored to meet specific need), including:

Problem solving
Decision making
Anger management
Team building
Leadership
Literacy and numeracy

For more information contact Tricia on 01747 828 150, email tricia@fun4ponies.com or visit www.equineassistedqualifications.com

Living With Loss - A Guide for the Recently Widowed

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:18:32 +0100

Liz McNeil Taylor's husband died suddenly aged just 43, leaving her to bring up their four children on her own. Living with Loss was her first book, written when she was working as a freelance journalist.

Recommended on many Books on Prescription schemes across the country, this new edition of her bestselling book is a survival handbook for the widowed. It shows how, over time, the healing process can be assisted, and how you can get the most from friends, organisations and resources to start living a full life again.

Liz McNeil Taylor discusses, with a sometimes painful honesty, the problems surrounding a suddenly bereaved woman and her strong conflicting reactions to the tragedy. She described how she experienced a series of exhausting emotions - grief, anger and despair - until she was finally able to take full responsibility for her family and her own life and eventually learn acceptance and achieve an inner peace.

"This compassionate and practical book will comfort and give hope to the recently bereaved" Dr James Le Fanu.

Living with Loss (£8.99) is published by Constable & Robinson and is available from all good bookshops or Amazon.co.uk.

New Patient Information Leaflets

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:17:52 +0100

The Department of Health has updated its model Mental Health Act 1983 patient information leaflets to reflect the changes that came into effect on the first of April this year. These changes include the introduction of mental health advocates and the replacement of the Mental Health Act Commission by the Care Quality Commission.

The leaflets can help hospitals and local social services authorities to meet their legal obligations under the Act to provide written information to patients subject to compulsory measures under the Act (e.g. detention).

To download copies of leaflets visit

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_089275

Personalisation - Are You Ready?

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:36:17 +0100

Putting People First outlined a vision for those working in the health and social care sector of a system that got people well quickly and helped them stay healthy through prevention, early intervention and enablement. It promoted the idea of those needing on-going care being in charge of tailoring their own high quality services.

Changing current services to deliver the personalisation agenda will require a real understanding of what a self-directed support model looks like. Following the introduction of Direct Payments and the Individual Budget Pilot Programme some real lessons have been learned. Helpfully the Department of Health has brought out a personalisation toolkit and self assessment exercise. Together with the website these tools will help recognise success and build on it to plan for the full introduction of this radical new way of working.

Visit http://www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/Personalisation/Topics/Browse/MentalHealth/index.cfm for specific support on personalisation and mental health.

Mind Action Week - 9th May

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:35:42 +0100

The Mind Action Week this year addresses men and mental health and seeks to encourage men to talk about how they are feeling. Mind are currently seeking people who are willing to share their experiences. Visit http://www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Campaigns/Men+and+mental+health/ for more information.

Mental Health Action Week 12th - 18th April

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:35:08 +0100

The Mental Health Foundation are using this year's campaign to raise awareness of the impact fear and anxiety can have on our lives.

Feeling fear and anxiety are normal human reactions to threats or worries - they can sharpen our minds and bodies to respond in an appropriate way. When these feelings persist they can interfere with normal life affecting the ability to eat, sleep, concentrate, travel, enjoy life, leave the house, go to work or school.

With a range of treatments available that help break the cycle, there is no need for people to suffer in silence.

The Mental Health Foundation are asking people to request a campaign pack which contains a poster to raise awareness and a booklet offering practical help and advice.

For more information visit http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-action-week-2009

A New Approach to CBT?

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:34:19 +0100

Gaining huge popularity amongst therapists is 'Compassion Focussed Therapy'. If you've never heard of it then best-selling author of Overcoming Depression, Professor Paul Gilbert, can help with his important, practical book on the approach - The Compassionate Mind.

'As one of Britain's most insightful psychologists, Gilbert illuminates the power of compassion in our lives.'

Oliver James, author of Affluenza

Compassion can be defined in many ways but its essence is a basic kindness with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and others, coupled with the wish and effort to relieve it. Compassion is one of the founding principles of many religions and its power to heal has long been recognised in Eastern traditions where exercises and practices were developed to train the mind. More recently the internationally recognised Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom has promoted the healing power of compassion in its 16 Guidelines For a Happy Life.

Life is often stressful and hard. Developing compassion for oneself and others can help us face up to and win through the hardship and find inner peace. Yet in modern society we rarely focus on this key process that underpins successful coping and happiness. Instead we concentrate on 'doing, achieving and having'. Now, new research proves we can all learn to develop compassion and derive the benefits of this age-old wisdom.

Based on his expertise and experience over 30 years of treating depression Professor Gilbert views Compassion Focussed Therapy as a natural evolution of a more traditional CBT approach. And he can explain the science behind it!

The Compassionate Mind explores how human minds developed to be sensitive and quick to react to perceived threats and how that threat-response system can be a source of anxiety, depression and aggression. Professor Gilbert outlines the latest findings about the value of compassion and how it works with basic mind training exercises to enhance the capacity for, and use of compassion.

The Compassionate Mind (RRP £20) is published by Constable & Robinson and available from all good bookshops or Amazon.co.uk now.

Changes to Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Checks - an update

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:33:21 +0100

From 2009 the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will start a new system for carrying out checks on people who work with children and vulnerable adults. There will be 2 lists - one for individuals who have been assessed as not posing a risk to vulnerable groups and another for those who are not allowed to work with the vulnerable.

Individuals will have to register themselves for a one-off fee of £64. This will include an enhanced CRB check and ISA's own checks. Importantly volunteers will not have to pay this fee. It will become illegal to employ someone to work with children or vulnerable adults who has not been checked by ISA.

For employers this should come as a huge relief - not only will they be able to check candidates are on this list for free but they will also receive updates if a worker's status on the list changes.

However, this new system will pose a number of questions to employers - when should they begin implementing the system? Should they pay for current staff to have the checks? What changes need to be made HR procedures? How and when will ISA be alerted that someone poses a risk to vulnerable groups?

For more information visit http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/ and watch this space!

Compassionate Mind author gives talk at Essex Book Festival

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:29:51 +0100

Professor Paul Gilbert, author of new book The Compassionate Mind, is giving a talk on compassion and the use of Compassion Focused Therapy as a new way of finding happiness and wellbeing and defeating mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The talk, which takes place at Chelmsford Library on the 30th March, is part of the Essex Book Festival which takes part throughout March at different venues across Essex. Visit http://www.essexbookfestival.org.uk/EBF/ for more details.

In his groundbreaking new book, Paul Gilbert explores how our minds have developed to be highly sensitive and quick to react to percieved threats and how this fast-acting threat-response system can be a source of anxiety, depression and aggression. This practical guide is ideal for anyone suffering mental distress and includes exercises helping the reader use compassion and self-compassion to develop feelings of wellbeing. The Compassionate Mind is published in March 2009, RRP £20.

> More details

Buy now from Amazon

Living With A Black Dog

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:42:40 +0000

'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

Buy from Amazon (RRP £7.99)

The Warrior Programme

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:40:57 +0000

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

Time to change!

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:39:38 +0000

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

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:38:38 +0000

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.

Body image problems

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:37:31 +0000

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 - Overcoming Body Image Problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder - 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

Buy now from Amazon (RRP £9.99)

Too little too late?

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:33:25 +0000

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

New research on chocolate and alternative therapies

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:31:11 +0000

The Journal for Affective Disorders recently published its top 25 articles for July to September 2008. Amongst the new research is a study by the School of Psychiatry (University of New South Wales) and the Black Dog Institute, examining the mood state effects of chocolate. The result is disappointing with their evidence suggesting that chocolate can 'provide its own hedonistic reward by satisfying cravings but when consumed as a comfort eating strategy or emotional eating strategy, is more likely to be associated with prolongation rather than cessation of a dysphoric mood.'

Another study reviews the published scientific evidence for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions in bipolar disorder. The researchers in the United States note that a growing number of patients use CAMs but that evidence for treatments like omega-3 fatty acids, St John's Wort, massage, yoga and acupuncture is lacking. They suggest that much more research is needed and that patients should be warned of the risks of using products like St John's Wort and SAMe which have the potential to induce mania and interact with other medicines.

On a brighter note the evidence for drinking a small glass of wine each day is looking pretty good!

Visit www.jad-journal.com to read all the studies.

Join the fight against fake medicines!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:08:38 +0000

On the 19th November the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines (EAASM) came together to present their findings on the dangers of counterfeit medicines to patients.

They report that in the UK there has been a dramatic increase in counterfeit medicines being seized by customs authorities each year (up by 51% to over 4 million items in Europe last year alone). In 2007 there were four instances of fake medicines reaching UK patients through their local pharmacy - including Casodex®, Zyprexa® and Plavix® - indicating that patients across the country are vulnerable to this growing threat.

In the current economic crisis, counterfeiting medicines is an easy but dangerous way to make a lot of money. The EAASM is calling for all healthcare stakeholders to work together and make patient safety in the UK a top priority. Visit www.eaasm.eu for further information and resources.

Employment and education are key to happiness

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:07:30 +0000

The Prince's Trust charity has warned that young, unemployed adults need more help to deal with mental health problems. Working in partnership with YouGov, the charity surveyed 2004 young people and found that 1 in 10 did not think life was really worth living. Unsurprisingly, those who were not in work, eduction or training expressed higher levels of dissatisfaction.

The study also found that relationships with family and friends, health and money were key predictors of happiness.

Chief Exectuive of the Prince's Trust, Martina Milburn, said:

'At the Prince's Trust we help vulnerable young people, steering them away from false support systems such as drugs, alcohol and dangerous gangs and providing them with a sense of purpose again.'

Visit www.princes-trust.org.uk to see how the Prince's Trust can help young people.

Managing money for better mental health

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:06:10 +0000

As the credit crunch begins to affect us all, there is no doubt that it will lead to more mental distress and a tougher time for those unable to work.

www.moneysavingexpert.com has become a leading source of free practical advice for those experiencing money difficulties or just in need of some good advice. With everything from freebie alerts to how to give yourself a 'payrise' through good money management, the site has been invaluable to many and is now looking to provide specific help to people affected by mental ill-health. If you have any case studies of people affected by money problems, or any suggestions, do pass them on via the site's forum boards.

Another good resource can be found here: www.mind.org.uk/money.

Are New Year's Resolutions bad for your health?

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:03:07 +0000

Mind has claimed that the estimated seven million people making New Year's resolutions may be putting their mental health at risk. The charity believes that resolutions create a negative focus on perceived shortcomings and can create further feelings of failure if people fail to stick to their aims.

The Mental Health Foundation, however, has suggested that people should resolve to spend 2009 looking after their mental health and have created ten simple and practical tips to follow: visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/look-after-your-mental-health to download their pack.

For 50 easy ways we can all improve our wellbeing visit www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/4124815/Health-advice-50-ways-to-boost-your-wellbeing.html.

The New Year can be a great time to introduce clients to person-centred planning, helping them to make positive changes in an achievable way. Visit www.mhpf.org.uk/recoveryStarApproach.asp to view a new approach to planning and outcomes measurement.

Defeating depression the Australian way

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:22:30 +0000

The Sainsbury's Centre for Mental Health is testing an Australian training programme deisgned to help line managers support staff with depression.

Beyondblue gives line managers in businesses across Australia the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer the right suport to people who are experiencing distress. Testers in the UK include the Department of Health, Kent County Council, Royal Mail Group, the submarines business of Rolls Royce, and Tate & Lyle.

Sainsbury Centre Research and Development Manager Helen Lockett said: 'Mental ill health costs British businesses £26 billion a year. No employer can afford to ignore mental distress. Yet the majority of UK line managers do not know how to help a member of staff when they become unwell. And many people end up taking time off sick or losing their jobs because they do not get the right help and support early enough.

'We are bringing the beyondblue National Workplace Programme to the UK to see if it can help line managers to respond better to mental distress. If it is as successful in the UK as it is in Auystralia, we will seek to find ways of making it available throughout the country to employers of all types and sizes.'

Ecominds

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:57:13 +0000

Ecominds is an open grant programme run by Mind as an award partner of the Big Lottery Fund. The programme will distribute £7.5 million to environmental projects which will aim to improve mental well-being and physical health. Projects range from walking groups to agricultural projects ,to renovating urban areas and removing graffiti.

If you would like to apply for funding or just find out more, visit http://www.mind.org.uk/ecominds.

In brief - mental health news from around the world

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:25:31 +0000

USA - Americans largely rely on private health insurance to fund medical treatments. Over the last 6 years, the mental health community has been campaigning for Mental Health Parity - legislation that will end the discrimination in healthcare insurance coverage between physical and mental illnesses. The legislation has now been passed in both the House and the Senate and has now become law. This will mean that Americans will be entitled to better insurance coverage and, as a consequence, access to treatments.

Australia - according to Australian statistics, cannabis smokers are more likely to be affected by depression, anxiety and psychosis than those taking stimulants like amphetamines. It is estimated that 1.5 million Australians have used cannabis in the past year with 750,000 smoking it weekly.

East and South Asia - a new study has reaffirmed that suicide is frequently commited in many Asian countries by ingesting pesticides. The problem is particularly significant in rural parts of China, India and Sri Lanka. It is estimated that 250,000 deaths from pesticide poisoning occur annually.

Europe - the European Union has launched a five point plan to tackle mental health illnesses, which it says currently affect one in ten people in Europe. The strategy, which has the support of the World Health Organisation's regional office for Europe, is set out in the new European pact for mental health and well-being. This was signed at a conference in Brussels on 13 June by the European Commission, WHO and the Slovenian government as current holder of the EU presidency.

World Mental Health Day 2008

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:02:09 +0000

With mental disorders affecting nearly 12% of the world's population - approximately 450 million people - this year's World Mental Health Day sought to make mental health a global priority by 'scaling up services through citizen advocay and action.'

The World Federation for Mental Health believes that community well-being flows from individual well-being and that their task is to change the way mental illness is viewed, treated and ranked in importance within healthcare. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that resources for mental health are 'scarce, inequitably distributed and inefficiently used'. Amongst the WHO member states, the following areas are highlighted:

Policy and Legislation - policies are present in only two-thirds of the countries, in low-income countries this proportion is nearly half.
Mental health services - two-thirds of countries report having at least some community care facilities for mental health.
Community resources - around 88% of countries have at least one non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provdes activities such as advocacy, mental health promotion and direct service provision.'
Human resources - two-thirds of low income countries have less than 1 psychiatrist per 100,000 population.
Financial resources - around 30% of countries do not have a sepcified budget for mental health care, 24% spend less than 1% of the total health budget on mental health.

To read the full report visit http://www.wfmh.org/PDF/English%20WMHDay%202008.pdf

Anxiety UK

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:29:52 +0100

The UK's leading anxiety disorders charity, formerly known as the National Phobics Society, has been renamed Anxiety UK to better reflect the range and scope of their work.

Anxiety UK offers advice and support through their telephone helpline and a range of innovative online services. They also offer reduced-cost therapies to members, allowing thousands of anxiety sufferers to receive treatment they would otherwise be unable to afford, and much faster than through the NHS. The charity was formed in 1970 by an agoraphobia sufferer, and is still a user-led organisation today, run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of anxiety disorders.

Closely following its relaunch, the charity continued its innovative work by holding four workshops to train therapists and other practitioners in an evidence-based CBT treatment programme specifically targeted at children and young people.

Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK, said:

'Children don't currently have access to the same level of mental health services as adults in the UK and the lack of service provision in the NHS means that families are being left to pick up the pieces, which is unacceptable. Having identified this gap in the workforce skills out there, we were determined to address the issue.'

To find out more visit www.anxietyuk.org.uk/youngpeople.php

Congratulations to

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:25:51 +0100

Rosalyn Jenkins from Trafford PCT who correctly identified Liz Burnley as the UK's Chief Guide in last month's competition and has won a copy of Overcoming Body Image Problems including Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Depression, talks with your therapist

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:29:59 +0100

Overcoming Depression, talks with your therapist by Paul Gilbert, published earlier this year in audio CD format is now available to download from www.overcoming.co.uk. The talks vary from 8 mins to 24mins, the talks can be downloaded as MP3 files, there are 8 tracks, some at free others are £2.