Mind Membership News October 2013 by Mind

Issue 13 Autumn 2013 mind.org.uk

for better mental health

A new direction

How changes to the NHS could affect you

Sleeping problems

Practical tips to help you sleep

Matt Johnson:

on the road to recovery

Mind Membership News

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

mind news Bright minds help tackle mental health problems at universities. Top talent from graduate schemes at leading retailer Halfords and financial organisation Munich RE took part in a two-day Graduate Ideathon to help Mind tackle mental health stigma and discrimination affecting students. The Graduate Ideathon, run by The Collaboration Company, aims to increase skills in working together – the event is part of a programme intended to generate new thinking and ideas for charities in just 24 hours. A report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows that nearly one third of students experience some form of mental health problem while they are at university.

After a full briefing the graduate team set about generating ideas for how Mind can best use its expertise and resources to help change things for the better for young people facing mental health problems while studying. Over the next year we’ll be reviewing the ideas generated and investigating how they might be implemented. Huge thank you to everyone who took part, we’ll keep you up to date with our progress in this area. If you’re a student who would like to get involved in this work contact the membership team at membership@mind.org.uk

PTS chose Mind as a charity partner at the start of 2013 and has already completed a number of fantastic fundraising events.

Mind’s project for unemployed men aims to reduce that number through structured, practical activities, such as gardening or DIY handiwork projects. These projects aim to support wellbeing and community engagement, as well as helping men to improve their skills in these areas.

Across the UK, about 15% of women experience a mental health problem in the first three months of their pregnancy, and 10% of new mothers suffer post-natal depression.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said:

But with funding from the People’s Health Trust, a charity addressing health inequalities, Mind is creating a pilot project for new mums and mums-to-be who need extra support to look after their mental health.

“Mind would like to thank the People’s Health Trust for funding these projects and helping us to reach out to vulnerable groups who really need help to manage their mental health before it reaches crisis point.” An update on the projects will appear in future issues of Mind Membership News and our regular enews.

We will set up weekly drop-in peer support groups, and home visits by trained befrienders to provide practical and emotional help as well as friendship and encouragement to women.

Congratulations to everyone at PTS who has worked so hard to raise money for Mind and thank you for what has been a great start to our partnership. If you have ideas about organisations which would be interested in a similar partnership with Mind, please contact the membership team on membership@mind.org.uk

They include a 10km Super Hero fun run in London’s Regents Park in May by Rachel McIntyre, from the company’s customer services team. In June two PTS London team members completed the London to Brighton Challenge. Branch manager Barry Herlock and London regional director, Andy Condon, trekked more than 62 miles in 25 hours. Although the team said “never again”, they are understood to be looking at another 50km challenge.

Mind is launching pilot projects to help protect those most at risk of developing mental health problems at specific times in their life or during life events. The first two projects aim to help women who are pregnant or new mothers, and unemployed men to look after their mental health.

During times of economic hardship when lots of people lose their jobs, it’s also easy to also lose your confidence, self-esteem and structure in daily life. One in seven men will develop depression within six months of unemployment.

PTS takes fundraising in its stride A partnership between plumbing specialist PTS and Mind is focusing on raising awareness and muchneeded funds for Mind in England and Wales, as well as for mental health associations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Building up resilience

Mind ti p menta s for better l health sleep

Introducing Mind Tips

mind tips

Our colourful hand outs feature handy tips on the topics of stress, panic attacks, physical activity, relaxation and sleep. If your organisation or workplace is interested in receiving some sample copies, we have a limited number to give away. Just email freetips@mind.org.uk.

sleep

And if you would like to share your thoughts on these and other Mind information materials, please get in touch with us at membership@mind.org.uk. Mind In foline:

run ero fun H r e p hel, Su an Rac m o w r Supe

0300 12 3 3393 mind.or g.uk

Mind Membership News

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

PTS chose Mind as a charity partner at the start of 2013 and has already completed a number of fantastic fundraising events.

Across the UK, about 15% of women experience a mental health problem in the first three months of their pregnancy, and 10% of new mothers suffer post-natal depression.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said:

We will set up weekly drop-in peer support groups, and home visits by trained befrienders to provide practical and emotional help as well as friendship and encouragement to women.

Building up resilience

Mind ti p menta s for better l health sleep

Introducing Mind Tips

mind tips

sleep

And if you would like to share your thoughts on these and other Mind information materials, please get in touch with us at membership@mind.org.uk. Mind In foline:

run ero fun H r e p hel, Su an Rac m o w r Supe

0300 12 3 3393 mind.or g.uk

Mind Membership News

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

Fancy some tea and cake? Community cafés run by Mind staff and volunteers are springing up around the country. They are a great place to catch up with your friends, make some new ones or just take some time out in a supportive environment.

around & about

This month Mind Membership News takes a look at what community cafés are up to around the country.

Food for thought “We believe that good nutrition and socialising promote good mental health,” says,” Christina Meacham, chief executive of Mind In Barnet, which this July launched its Mind Community Café in North Finchley. The café is wheelchair accessible, and is open to people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and their carers. And what’s more, it provides a good two-course lunch for £4. “It’s the type of food you could spend serious money for on a night out,” says Christina. Phone: 020 8343 5700 Web: mindinbarnet.org.uk

Arts and crafts in Leeds Creativity is a tool for better mental health. That’s the belief of the Inkwell Arts Café in Leeds. A beautiful space set up in the former city centre Shoulder of Mutton pub, Inkwell offers vegetarian food, plus a range of craft workshops for all tastes and talents. Phone: 0113 3070108 Email: inkwell@leedsmind.org.uk

Rhyl’s top class cakes Thanks to its volunteers and staff, the Vale of Clwyd Mind Café in the north Wales seaside town of Rhyl, is open to the public every day except Monday.

Tameside’s Topaz trio

Volunteering at the café is an opportunity to work with the public, socialise and gain self-confidence, as well as skills and qualifications in food hygiene, health and safety or first aid.

It’s not as big as Hyde Park in London, but Tameside’s green oasis of the same name hosts Topaz Café in the Park, the latest addition to the range of cafes run by Tameside Oldham and Glossop Mind. There’s also the award-winning Topaz Café at Ashton-under-Lyne, which puts its modest profits into counselling, creative workshops, courses and activities aimed at building confidence and self-esteem. And the Topaz Tea Room in Dukinfield, has been created in a building connected to children’s author Beatrix Potter.

“The home made cakes are amazing,” says Jenny Bolton, of Vale of Clwyd Mind, who goes to the café for meetings. Email: enquiries@valeofclwydmind.org.uk

Phone: 0161 330 9223 Email: office@togmind.org Web: togmind.org/topaz-cafe

Mind Membership News

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

around & about

This month Mind Membership News takes a look at what community cafés are up to around the country.

Rhyl’s top class cakes Thanks to its volunteers and staff, the Vale of Clwyd Mind Café in the north Wales seaside town of Rhyl, is open to the public every day except Monday.

Tameside’s Topaz trio

Volunteering at the café is an opportunity to work with the public, socialise and gain self-confidence, as well as skills and qualifications in food hygiene, health and safety or first aid.

“The home made cakes are amazing,” says Jenny Bolton, of Vale of Clwyd Mind, who goes to the café for meetings. Email: enquiries@valeofclwydmind.org.uk

Phone: 0161 330 9223 Email: office@togmind.org Web: togmind.org/topaz-cafe

Mind Membership News

spotlight:

NHS summary care record What is a summary care record? A summary care record (SCR) is an electronic record which contains key medical information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had. The information on the SCR is taken from the personal record about you at your GP surgery. Having this key information stored electronically and shared, however, makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP surgery is closed.

What if I have any worries about my SCR? If you have any concerns about your SCR don’t hesitate to discuss these with your GP, who should be able to help. In addition to asking your doctor for information to be added, you can ask for a print out of your SCR and request changes.

Nearly 29 million people in England have a SCR. The NHS expects this number to reach 40 million by next April.

If you don’t want to have a SCR, then let your GP know and it won’t be created. The opt out rate is 1.35 per cent.

This map will tell you whether your GP surgery has created SCRs: bit.ly/14DEvL4

But if you change your mind at any time, you can contact your GP and ask to opt back in again.

How could the SCR help me?

Some people are concerned about privacy. Others have criticised the policy of assuming patients agree to the creation of a record unless they refuse.

It could be useful if you have an accident or need emergency care. You can ask your GP for information about your mental health, such as details of your care plan, to be added to your SCR. In a crisis, this could help medical staff not usually involved in your care to make sure you have the right treatment. A key aim of the SCR is to improve your safety by reducing the risk of mistakes in prescribing and recording previous adverse reactions to drugs, when you are not being treated by your usual carers. It’s also intended to speed up treatment by reducing the time needed to get basic information about patients. Pharmacists have said the SCR has saved time in prescribing medicines for patients. This means that patients can get their medication more quickly.

The NHS says that asking patients to opt out is the simplest option. It also emphasises that your SCR can only be viewed by authorised staff who are directly involved in your care. Further information about the SCR is available online at nhscarerecords.nhs.uk

Matt Johnson

TV presenter Matt Johnson’s battled depression after a serious accident in 2007. Instead of talking to someone, he isolated himself. He has joined us as an ambassador to help us raise awareness. Here he talks candidly about his journey.

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

Now that I have come clean and told everybody about my problem, they have been absolutely amazing

…on his depressive moments

…on family and friends

I felt so very alone. I have never felt so scared of being by myself. I pushed away a lot of my friends. I lost a relationship. I think my family was aware of my situation but they kept a distance because they know that I am very secretive when I want to be. I can hide my feelings. I can put on a mask and pretend everything is fine, even when it isn’t.

As I recovered I let my family and friends back into my live, and they were fantastic. They supported me all the way. My family helped me help myself. Unfortunately I hadn’t been open and honest with them at the time, but now that I have come clean and told everybody about my problem, they have been absolutely amazing. I make it a point to spend time with them and friends as much as I can.

…on his road to recovery What helped me was the process of reestablishing myself. I had lost myself over the years. I started slowly regaining the person I was. I began to listen to rock music and to do exercise. I trained for the London marathon. I began to socialise a bit more with my friends. I invited more people into my life. I learnt to drive. That was a major step for me. That gave me independence.

…on his continued wellbeing I have kept up with what helped me at the start. I make sure I exercise as much as I can. I do it not for vanity reasons, just so that I can clear my head. I listen to music as often as I can as I know that it lifts me. It is so important to keep doing those things that you know keep you on an even keel.

…on seeking help My advice to anyone struggling with depression is to tell somebody. It doesn’t matter who it is. It could be the guy on the street or somebody on the bus. It’s okay not to feel good about yourself. Explaining your situation and talking about it is half the battle. Or tell a close friend of yours. The best thing is to realise that you’re in a situation and it is important to you. I really wish I could have used Mind during my problems. I didn’t. I came very close at times, but unfortunately I didn’t. I really wish I had. So if you’re struggling please talk to Mind.

Mind Membership News

Issue 13 Autumn 2013

Campaign trail:

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Crisis care: ending face down restraint When people reach a crisis, they need help not harm. Sometimes when someone is having a mental health crisis, they may become frustrated, frightened and distressed. They may seem aggressive, threatening or refuse treatment, but they still desperately need help and compassion. Using face down restraint on someone who is in crisis can be humiliating, dangerous and even life-threatening. That’s why Mind is calling for an end to this practice. What we’re asking for Mind is calling for national standards on the use of restraint, better training for staff and a ban on face down restraint. What’s been happening We sent Freedom of Information requests to all 54 mental health trusts in England asking how they use physical restraint, its impact and the procedures which govern physical restraint. Our enquiries found that last year there were almost 1,000 incidents of injury following restraint in England. Face down restraint is dangerous, but in 2012 alone it was used more than 3,000 times. There are variations in the use of face down restraint across the country. Mind’s map shows how restraint is used in your area: www.mind.org.uk/crisiscare/ restraint How things can change Some trusts have put an end to face down restraint. Mind member Grace says that the last time she was in

a psychiatric hospital, it had a very strict ‘no touch’ policy. “The staff I encountered would never restrain somebody unless it was completely necessary, and really did do their best to make sure we didn’t feel threatened by them,” she recalls. Kim Parker, a senior nurse at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, says the trust reviewed its restraint practices after many patients said they felt unfairly treated by current practices.

“Stopping using face down restraint isn’t as simple as it might seem,” she says. “And face-up restraint brings its own challenges… It was like trying to turn an oil tanker round – some staff were happy with the existing policies and practices and we needed to win hearts and minds to make it a real success.” On the campaign trail A big thank you to Mind members who have made a fantastic contribution to our campaign for better crisis care. Please help us to keep up the pressure for change by writing to your MP, or continuing to raise awareness through Facebook, Twitter and blogs. Find out more Visit mind.org.uk/crisiscare, or contact the membership team. Read Mind’s report, Mental health crisis care: physical restraint in crisis. It’s available online at mind.org.uk.

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