Mons Mentor

Now up and running is the new online Mental health Directory for Monmouthshire.

Short name is Mons Mentor, and tonight it is registering on Google search for the first time.   No longer any need to use the website address.   If you want to get there from here, just click on the following:

                        monsmentor         and if you want to get there without using this blog, then type the name

into your search bar and you should be taken there.     Let me know if you have any problems finding the site by sending e-mail to                                         caradoc.who2@ntlworld.com

..and if you find the site useful then tell your friends, and anyone else who you think could help to pass the information on – maybe a CPN, social worker, GP, Minister, carer, etc, etc.

Community sentences…….

….better than prison for offenders with mental health problems, says Sainsbury Centre report

Full report on this link:     

 http://www.scmh.org.uk/news/2009_missed_opportunity.aspx

Warning on clozapine

 Thanks to Mind for this warning:

An article on the Times Online revealed a shockingly high number of deaths of people taking the antipsychotic drug clozapine – since 1993 almost 1,000 deaths have been reported to the UK medicines regulator through the Yellow Card scheme for reporting adverse drug reactions.

If you are taking clozapine (trade names Clozaril, Denzapine and Zaponex) and are worried about your health we suggest discussing this with your psychiatrist and asking for any necessary health checks. Anyone with concerns about their medicine is welcome to call the MindinfoLine on 0845 766 0163 or email info@mind.org.uk 

The MindinfoLine is open 9-5 Monday to Friday.

Clozapine is licensed to treat schizophrenia if other treatments have not helped, and people taking it must have regular blood tests because of the risk of serious blood disorders. The blood monitoring appears to be very successful in preventing and treating these disorders, as the deaths reported are almost all from other causes including cardiac and respiratory disorders.

Mind wants to see:

• equally rigorous monitoring for other health problems especially to prevent heart disease and strokes
• an urgent review of the drug by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
• much better availability of psychological therapies so that people can try a proper range of treatment before clozapine is offered.

Money and mental health

The following extract is from the Mind website, dealing with financial worries and suggesting ways of coping in the current recessions.

Welcome to Mind’s money and mental health section

With the current turbulent economic climate and the cost of living getting higher and higher many are finding that managing personal finances and good mental health go hand in hand. Struggling to keep control of income and expenditure can affect mental health. This section will help you look at issues that affect you and give you access to information and support about your money.Follow this link:  http://www.mind.org.uk/moneyand if you would like to see the Tame your monster video, then click this link: http://www.mind.org.uk/money/monster.htm

It’s harder to ‘come out’ about mental health than being gay

Perhaps this is of no surprise to you?   If you would like to read the article on the Mind website, then click on the following link:

http://www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Press/01-02-09HarderThanBeingGay.htm