Ground-breaking youth justice schemes get under way

Ground-breaking youth justice schemes get under way
29 January 2009
Work begins today in six pilot sites to ensure children and young people with mental health, learning disabilities and other difficulties such as family conflict, homelessness or drug and alcohol misuse get the help they need as soon as they come into contact with the police.

The six Youth Justice Liaison and Diversion schemes are supported by the Department of Health, the Youth Justice Board, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Ministry of Justice and Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health. Their aim is not to replace sanctions for serious crimes but to prevent further offending and avoid future harm to victims through tackling at the earliest possible opportunity problems that have led young people to get into trouble.

In each scheme, workers will liaise closely with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service in police custody suites to identify those young people who need additional help. In cases where mental health, learning disabilities or drug and alcohol difficulties are suspected, workers will help these young people and their families get speedy specialist assessments. They will also work hard to get young people and their families into the full range of services they need.

Justice Minister David Hanson MP said: “It is important that vulnerable young people are given support to divert them from offending and to help them lead more successful lives. Effective early action on mental health issues, alongside access to appropriate healthcare provision, can make a huge difference.

“I welcome these pilots which support the approach set out in the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan to reduce youth offending.”

Minister of State for Care Services Phil Hope said: “We need to prevent young people from drifting into a vicious circle of poor mental health and offending, which we know can happen without appropriate support. These pilots will help identify the benefits of effective early treatment, instead of allowing young people who are often at the early stages of developing mental health difficulties to become criminalised. I’m pleased to support these pilots and I hope they will provide an example for others to follow as quickly as possible.”

Sainsbury Centre chief executive Angela Greatley said: “At the present time too many people in the youth justice system have a range of mental health and other problems. If they do not get the help they need very early on, they risk drifting further into crime, jeopardising their future prospects and causing problems in their schools and in their communities.”

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The six Youth Justice Liaison and Diversion schemes are in Halton and Warrington, Cheshire; Kensington and Chelsea, west London; Lewisham, south London; Peterborough; South Tees and Wolverhampton. They will run for two years and will be subject to an independent academic evaluation.

Hmmm…so what is the problem is gettingthis scheme going in Wales, too?

Time to Change campaign

Sainsbury Centre welcomes beginning of Time to Change campaign

21 January 2009

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health today welcomed the national launch of the Time to Change campaign, led by the charities Mind and Rethink.

Sainsbury Centre chief executive Angela Greatley said: “Ignorance and prejudice about mental illness have far-reaching consequences. Discrimination, harassment and exclusion have for too long been everyday experiences for people with mental health problems.

“I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund and Comic Relief have invested in Time to Change. It gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to challenge the myths about mental illness and to enable those who are affected by it to live their lives free of discrimination.

“The scale of the challenge is immense. Only one person in five with a severe mental illness is in paid employment. And an estimated one million people with depression are out of work, often for a lack of basic support from their GP and their employer. This is a massive waste of potential.

“Time to Change is our best hope of demonstrating that people with mental health problems have as much to contribute to society, and deserve to be treated with as much respect, as anyone else.”

To look at the campaign site please click the following link:

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

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation:
what is it, who can deliver it and who pays?
The Government wants to help millions of people with mental health problems to work, shown by its response to Dame Carol Black’s review of the health of the working population and welfare reform.

Vocational rehabilitation is whatever helps someone with a health problem to stay at, return to and remain in work. We need to develop a vocational rehabilitation workforce that is capable of delivering evidence-based services and we need to find the resources to invest in changing the system.

As a contribution to this debate, in 2008 Sainsbury Centre and the College of Occupational Therapists joined forces to host expert roundtable discussions which addressed the thorny, practical issues about vocational rehabilitation – what is it, who can deliver it, who pays? This paper is the result.
(Saved in Reports, under the Pages column on the right.)

‘Supporting Positive Mental Well Being – Everyone’s business’

Thursday March 26th 2009
The Conference Centre at Newport YMCA
Mendalgief Road
Newport
NP20 2HF
10.00am-3.30pm
(Free Buffet Lunch Provided)
This event is primarily aimed at individuals in the area of Gwent who suffer from mental distress

Being mentally healthy is about how we – all of us – lead our lives. It’s about how we think and feel and act, our levels of optimism, resilience and confidence, the quality of relationships we have with those around us, our sense of meaning and purpose and our coping strategies at difficult times.
Mental health improvement is not simply about helping us address illness and helping people with mental health problems. It’s about emphasising wellness, and taking a positive approach to building and maintaining good mental health for everybody.
Come and explore some of the key community initiatives that could help to unlock and enhance positive Mental Well Being.
Sessions include:
 Alternative therapies,
 Arts,
 Confidence building techniques,
 Mental Health First Aid,
 Inspirational presentations from individuals about how they were able to improve their mental well-being

Early booking recommended as places are limited and there is no fee to attend. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
To book a place, please call:
Jenny Pearce, Mental Health Development Officer, GAVO Tel: 01291 673728 or
email jen.pearce@gavowales.org.uk
Note: If you or someone you bring has any special requirements e.g. communication or access, please let Jenny know at the time of booking so we can make efforts to accommodate your needs.

C.A.L.L. Free phone Advice and Listening Line

06/02/2009

C.A.L.L. Free phone Advice and Listening Line:

Support for patients experiencing problems due to the economic downturn 0800 132 737

Concern has been expressed about how some people in Wales are coping with the economic downturn. There are a number of avenues professionals may find helpful to advise their patients to consult. Encouraging people to discuss their anxieties and in some cases take action so that their problems don’t get worse is the first step. Some people will find talking to friends and family is enough support to get through and all they need. Others may need specialist financial advice or want confidential advice outside their own family circle.

In terms of someone to listen confidentially to anxieties and stresses, the Welsh Assembly Government commissioned the free phone 24 hour telephone line some years ago. C.A.L.L. Community Advice and Listening Line is available both by freephone 0800 132 737 or by text – Text Help to 81066

C.A.L.L. (Community Advice & Listening Line) offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters such as worries about debt and employment. http://www.callhelpline.org.uk/

NHS Direct Wales is another option to call on 08454647 or online; www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/

The Samaritans also offer a service for those who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair including those that could lead to Suicide. Loss of a job, financial worries or stress and anxiety are common reasons people call them. They are also available 24 hours a day on 08457909090 or by email jo@samaritans.org and further information about Samaritans is available on the website www.samaritans.org

Alcohol and drugs
For those requiring further information and/or help relating to drugs and/or alcohol, the 24/7 Wales Drug and Alcohol helpline (DAN) can be contacted on 0800 6335588. Further information about DAN is available on the website www.dan247.org.uk

Financial Advice
In terms of specific financial advice there are 3000 Citizens Advice Bureaus established across the UK contacting them and discussing the specific issues may be of assistance. The local offices contact details will be in the telephone book or are available online : www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Information on support available for individuals, employers and communities is available in one place on the Welsh Assembly Government website. All of this information and more is available on the Assembly website at www.wales.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

DR TONY JEWELL

MRS ROSEMARY KENNEDY

From the
Chief Medical Officer, Chief Dental Officer, Chief Pharmaceutical Advisor and Chief Nursing Officer

Welsh Assembly Government Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru
Cathays Park Parc Cathays
Cardiff Caerdydd
CF10 3NQ CF10 3NQ

Further enquiries should be made to
Dr Sarah Watkins
Senior Medical Officer
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Tel: 029 20 801290
Fax: 029 20825175

Requests for further copies of this letter or a Welsh translation should be addressed to:

DPHHP, Business Unit
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ

© Crown copyright 2008
This circular may be freely reproduced by all those to whom it has been addressed.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE USER AND CARER RESEARCH PROJECT

A VOICE FOR PEOPLE USING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN WALES AND THEIR CARERS

REGIONAL FOCUS GROUPS

We have arranged seven Focus Groups across Wales, one in each of the proposed new Health Board areas, to consider and discuss the central issues in this research project. These are:

Your Current Experience of Involvement at both a local and national level
A proposal for a “National Mechanism” to strengthen the voice of service users and carers in Wales, and how this could function
Involving All, how to ensure that service users and carers can be heard irrespective of their age, gender, ethnicity, experience of illness and location

Our aim is to have around 12 people, including service users, carers and workers promoting involvement, at each Focus Group so places are limited. The Focus Groups will meet for around two hours, with coffee, tea and biscuits on arrival. The specific start times for morning and afternoon groups are indicated on the booking form which follows on the next page.

Final details, including the venue, will be sent to those attending before their Focus Group. There is no charge for attending the Focus Groups and we are able to pay reasonable expenses and costs incurred by service users and carers who are unwaged.

For further information, please telephone Steven John at Mind Cymru (02920 346578), or Phil Thomas or Karl Meyers at Hafal (01792 816600).

A VOICE FOR PEOPLE USING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN WALES AND THEIR CARERS

BOOKING FORM FOR REGIONAL FOCUS GROUPS

Please request one form per person, and details of each event. Decide which you wish to attend, and return by email/post by 26th February 2009 to:

s.john@mind.org.uk
MIND cymru,
Quebec House (3rd floor)
Castlebridge,
Cowbridge Road East
CARDIFF, CF11 9AB
………………………………………………………………………………..

Depression Busting™

Journeys is running the groundbreaking Depression Busting™course in Cardiff
Following the success of the Depression Busting course in October 2008, Journeys is running another course starting Thursday 12 March at 7.00 pm, at the Journeys office 120-122 Broadway, Roath, Cardiff CF24 2EH.
Depression Busting is an 8 week training course that takes a holistic approach to overcoming depression, for people affected by depression, their family and their friends.
The course provides information and practical tools, and supports the development of skills and strategies to help people achieve recovery. There are limited places available, so we recommend booking a place as soon as possible. There is an application form attached to this email, which can be printed, completed and returned. Alternatively, if you contact us we will be more than happy to send you a paper copy.

We would be grateful if you could pass on this information to anyone who will find it useful.
Many thanks
Journeys
029 2069 2891
info@journeysonline.org.uk
www.journeysonline.org.uk

Journeys is the only organisation in the UK whose sole purpose is to help people find their route to recovery from depression.

Goodbye to my friend.

Oberon

 3.8.1992 – 29.1.2009.

    Known to some of the readers of this blog, it was sadly necessary to help Obi to a dignified departure, following a serious health issue.  He is sadly missed especially as a friend who heard many worries and secrets without comment, and without ever breaking our confidence.  Thanks for your friendship for many years.

 

MEN ARE LIKE THAT! MY COMMENT ON THIS MYTHOLOGY; MENTAL HEALTH, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MEN.

If I hear this statement once more I think I will go beserk!

In the last nine months I have heard more spoken on the subject than I ever have – and my conclusion – a mythology! A chanted ‘Mantra’ of unsupported beliefs – and mostly chanted by women. Let me explain. A young relation of mine, who has an 18 month old baby, decided to leave her husband. I explained this – in passing – to various friends, relations and acquaintances. It was a piece of family news. To my astonishment I and my young relation – in her absence – became the target of astonishment and anger, with lectures on marriage and the repeated ‘Mantra’ ‘Men are Like That!’ The first puzzling aspect of this for me was that since I have been married for 44 years I might be expected to know what men are like. I also had a father and three brothers, and a number of male colleagues and friends. So why does it have to be so insistently told to me that ‘Men are Like That!’ Of course it could be suggested that all the men I have known – including my husband – are different but then an admission of difference would cause the collapse of the mantra. So, according to what I am told, what are men like? Apparently

1) They cannot cope with young babies – and prefer older children
2) Are jealous of new babies
3) Feel they are being neglected when the new baby arrives
4) Feel they are no longer important when the new baby arrives
5) Need their own space
6) Have to follow their own interests
7) Never grow up.

Of my young relation the comments and negative advice included

1) She might lose the house
2) He might divorce her
3) She should have marriage counselling
4) She has post natal depression
5) She has to communicate better
6) She has to negotiate and compromise

In relation to 1) Would someone really want to remain with a man for 40 years in a miserable situation rather than lose a house!! 2) And would someone want to live in such a situation with a man who might divorce them – an affectionate character that! 3) The premise here is that she should have counselling because, as she wants to leave her husband, there must be something wrong with her. 4) This comment came from someone who had never set eyes on either party – but who felt that of course this must be the explanation. 5) This advice seems to depend on an assumption that she isn’t communicating simply because if she was it would all be sorted out and she’d be back home. 6) This is an assumption that she must be being unreasonable and has to change her ways i.e. negotiating and compromising. And since ‘MEN ARE LIKE THAT!’ as the mantra says – no change by the male partner is possible!!

In relation to mental health two issues strike me and the first one relates to post natal depression. This is now engraved in stone – so even if a new mother is just feeling a bit tired and waspish this has to be the diagnosis. In fact post natal depression is a serious condition and, in my limited experience, occurs in women who have had previous problems. I was once informed by a friend of mine that her daughter – who was being detained in hospital – just had ‘baby blues’. I didn’t know what to say – being aware that the daughter had been suffering from depression for years and had made two or three suicide attempts – albeit not very serious ones. No, I thought, she definitely couldn’t cope with another life – she could barely cope with her own! However, if the first four items on my ‘Men are Like That’ chart are correct it could explain what might be happening. A woman has had a nine month pregnancy – which may have included problems – she has gone through a birth which may have been traumatic – she is trying to recover from these experiences whilst maybe establishing breast feeding – she is having to get up several times a night to do the feeding – she is tired! And then she is faced with a man who cannot cope with small babies, is jealous of the baby, is angry because he no longer feels important, feels he isn’t getting his own space etc So what is he actually doing? Is he expressing his anger? Sulking? Refusing to help (because he can’t cope with small babies) Bullying her? At this point does a terrible possibility occur to this woman in the middle of her now exhausting life? Does this man – by whom she has just had a child – actually love her? Could he possibly treat her and his child like this if he did? She might then get quite miserable and the chorus is waiting – Ah! Post Natal Depression!!! In fact my young relation’s health visitor told her that she sees many cases of the man behaving in this way and one bit of the chorus told me ‘It always happens,’ and instanced a case of a man who demanded that when he arrived home all traces of his children should be removed from the living room in which he would be seated – which of course had to be perfectly tidied and cleaned by his wife. BECAUSE MEN ARE LIKE THAT. So when we jump to diagnose post natal depression – without any medical expertise – are we perhaps looking at the wrong reason – and the wrong person?

My second issue: In the wake of the dreadful case of Baby P and of the others in Doncaster should we start to silence the mythology and the chorus and consider that we might be missing something? We have a massive problem with men. Of the 80.000 or so people in prison in the UK only about 4,000 are women. Murder is substantially a male crime. On average two women a week are killed by domestic violence – the comparable figure for men killed by domestic violence is thirty a year. As is evident from the size of the male prison population many more crimes are committed by men than women. The rarest criminal in the world is a woman serial killer – whereas in America there are roughly two hundred male serial killers being hunted at any one time. More men commit suicide than woman. The conclusion has to be that many men suffer from mental health and personality problems. And I wonder – is this what the mythology is really about – that the women who chant it know the problem and are commenting on its hopelessness and therefore demand that all women cope with it as the only option? Or are they dealing with the problem by transferring the blame to women – as it’s easier to deal with it that way round? But in relation to Baby P and the others – is it possible that the MEN ARE LIKE THAT chart could actually be an indication that a woman or child might be in danger rather than an eternal absolute about all men? Luckily many of these problems may be relatively mild and are managed by women who can put up with them – to a certain extent, rather than challenging them. But, my point is, are we defining mental health issues in some men as a norm? There are many men who do not conform to the mythology – there are men who are wonderful husbands and fathers – who do not sulk, get angry, bully their wives and neglect them and their children. In fact I think the whole mythology is an insult to good men! So should health professionals, relations, friends and neighbours flag up a danger signal when they hear that a man is being ‘Like That’? And should mental health professionals, working with women said to be suffering with PND spend some of their time carrying out a thorough assessment of the male partner?

Anonymous and Furious.

LESBIAN, GAY OR BISEXUAL (LGB)? MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

Stonewall Cymru wants to hear from you!

We want to find out the views and needs of LGB people living in Wales with experiences of mental health issues.

Focus groups will be taking place across Wales throughout February, so book your place now as places are limited!

These will be occurring:

Wednesday 4th February: 6-8pm.
South Wales: Cardiff.

Thursday 5th February: 6-8pm
South West: Llanelli

16th February: 6-8pm
North Wales: TBC

17th February: 1-3pm
Mid Wales: Llandrindod Wells

(Venues to be confirmed).

If you like more information or to book your place then contact Megan Evans.

If you have not yet filled in the survey, it is available by post or online:

www.stonewallcymru.org.uk/mental_health

Phone: 02920 237744
Email: megan.evans@stonewallcymru.org.uk