Contributors: Amanda Thomson, Davinder Kaur, Geordine Briscoe, Hannah Sherman, Ian Callaghan, Jason Feavers, Karishma Pindoria, Rachel Hastings-Caplan, Rita Dabbs, Sanchia Redston, Tierney Mizell, Tori Trigg
Design: Rebecca Allen
Print: Fretwell
Views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of Rethink Mental Illness, unless agreed by the Board of Trustees. For reasons of confidentiality the testimonials used sometimes do not relate to the individuals photographed.
Welcome to the spring issue of Your Voice.
compelled to speak out about, and the support we get from you, our membership community, is central to our success in this area. With nearly a third of adults polled saying they wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing a diagnosis of severe mental illness with a friend, we know there is still a way to go in shifting general ideas and opinions about mental illness, and our work on that continues in 2025.
You may have noticed a slightly different look to your magazine for this issue. We’ve entered 2025 with a refreshed brand. We’re really pleased with the changes, and hopefully you’ll agree it gives a warmer look and feel to our work. I think it really strengthens our core message of being the charity for people living with mental illness, their families, carers and friends.
share why you are part of the Rethink community and consider leaving us a gift in your will. If you’d like to know more you can contact the membership team.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the benefits of membership, including access to our webinar programme. We are looking to expand this programme this year, so our webinars are offered more frequently than every three months. Do look out for information about this in upcoming emails, and share any ideas you have for webinars with our membership team.
With very best wishes,
Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive
AVATAR therapy enables people who hear voices to view and confront a digital image of their main distressing voice, allowing them to challenge negative statements and take control of the situation.
A recent study showed that participants who received the brief or extended version of the therapy saw significant improvements in the severity of the voices heard and distress felt as a result. Participants who received the extended version saw stronger and more sustained effects over time.
A campaign win AVATAR therapy
Mental health funding protected
We want to say an enormous thank you to members who emailed their MP to help protect mental health funding towards the end of last year.
In December, the government announced that the Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS) will remain in place. The MHIS is designed to protect and grow mental health funding across England and plays a critical role in supporting the government’s commitment to achieving parity of esteem.
Using a digital avatar to challenge negative voices
This is an important development as many people living with schizophrenia hear voices and some may continue to do so with medication. Therapies such as these may provide people with the tools to alleviate any negative effects of voice hearing and feel more empowered.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recommended that AVATAR is used in the NHS while researchers continue to gather real-world evidence of its effectiveness
making your voice count.
Over 500 Rethink campaigners emailed their MP in just three days so this was great news to end the year and shows that campaigning really works!
We are hugely relieved and grateful that the government has listened to calls from campaigners and our friends across the mental health sector to protect mental health funding.
1. Talking back: the power of digital avatars in psychosis therapy | King’s College London
The importance of a strong community of
support.
Our winter appeal
Our winter appeal, From Housing to Hope, focuses on our vital supported housing services and the importance of a strong community of support.
Sydney House helped Hugo when he needed it most by providing him with a safe place to learn how to manage his mental health and rebuild his confidence.
Through your kindness and generosity, we have raised
£13,200
so far for our services, including supported housing. Thank you!
The patience and compassion of the staff is a great reason why I feel I’m doing so well. I don’t think I would have ever been where I currently am if it wasn’t for them.
Hugo, service user
Rethinking Schizophrenia and Quality of Life
We’re coming towards the end of a very successful project looking into the factors affecting the quality of life of people living with schizophrenia. We were very fortunate to speak with 50 people affected by schizophrenia and heard that many things still prevent people from having a good quality of life, including symptoms that remain despite treatment, stigma, inadequate mental health services and the lack of wider support.
Our report will demonstrate the urgency of addressing those crucial issues as well as suggesting ways forward to support people to thrive.
We will let you know when the report has been published.
This project is funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Limited to support Rethink Mental Illness’s work in understanding more about the experiences of those living with schizophrenia. The final report will be fully anonymised and will not contain any personal data, and will be shared with Boehringer for information only. Rethink Mental Illness have full editorial control of all content, which is reviewed by Boehringer in line with the ABPI (Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry) Code of Practice. The independence of Rethink Mental Illness is maintained. NP-GB-105326/January 2025
Emma’s story
I felt like such a failure
Although Emma was excited about her newborn, she developed postnatal depression after a traumatic birth and found her eating disorder symptoms creep back up. With support from charities, she is now in a safer place.
Thinking becoming a mum would be a wonderful experience, I was so excited getting everything I needed together for it, and counting down the days to my maternity leave and due date.
Among the busy days of excitement, challenges happened too: the stress of trying to sell our two bedroom flat and buy a house, and my husband getting stressed, smashing plates if there was a dirty cup in the sink or something not in the “right place”. I put his behaviour down to the stress of becoming a parent or the move.
Finally, the big day arrived and our daughter was born. But the birth was extremely traumatic. The labour was long and the baby got stuck. When my baby finally arrived, that "sudden rush of love" didn't happen.
I felt like such a failure.
We were in hospital several days and I tried breastfeeding, but a doctor ordered me to stop as I was on epilepsy medication. His comments left me panicking that I’d poisoned my baby. I urged them to contact my neurologist who told me I was on a safe medication. But I was pressured to bottle feed my baby.
The following months were a rollercoaster. We moved into our house when the baby was six weeks old. She cried so much and my husband’s challenging behaviour continued too.
Then I had to go back to work, but they couldn't cope with my mental health issues. Binging and exercising was my only coping mechanism. My eating disorder was taking a grip on me after many years of yoyo dieting since my early teens.
I hope to share my story to let as many people as possible know they are not alone and that there are charities out there to help them.
When my baby was eight months old, I hit breaking point. I tried to end my life as a voice was urging me, saying I was worthless and should jump under the bus outside. But suddenly a sign urged me to look at the paper open on the table. I saw an article about support for postnatal depression.
I cried on the helpline number for an hour and the lady urged me to come to their support group at a local church with my baby. They were amazing. I got the support I needed and met mums who had been there. I got help for my eating disorder, my borderline personality disorder (BPD) and to get to a safer place.
I’m feeling brighter now, using my challenges to help others by fundraising for epilepsy and mental health charities which are close to my heart, such as Rethink. I donate mental health packs along with my book, as I hope to make it accessible to every teenager and everyone else it could help.
Physical activity and mental illness Breaking barriers
We know that being physically active can be beneficial for health. We also know that people with caring responsibilities or lived experience of mental illness can face many additional barriers when it comes to physical health.
Our Physical Activity Team have been working on a Sport England funded project to understand these barriers and support people to improve physical health by moving more.
The project showed people know they would benefit from being more active. Whilst healthcare professionals focus on telling people why they should be active, people told us they want to know more about how to be active.
We delivered a ‘Health Influencers’ course for carers as part of our work in Tower Hamlets. This was identified as a need from coproduction sessions where carers told us about challenges for accessing activity. The course covered all aspects of physical and mental health and SMART goal setting. By the end of the six sessions, all participants felt more knowledgeable and confident about encouraging a healthier lifestyle with their loved ones and themselves!
I now understand how movement improves systems in my body, and the relationship between food and diet and my health.
People living with mental illness are often excluded from exercise on referral schemes in leisure centres because conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not covered within the training. We’re creating e-learning materials and training fitness instructors about exercise and severe mental illness, as well as piloting ‘Move More Mentors’ to provide emotional and practical support.
A final evaluation report and key learnings from the project will be published in March 2025.
You can find out more at: rethink.org/physicalactivity
Two thirds
of survey respondents would be more likely to go to a gym or exercise session if instructors had a better understanding of their mental illness.
New year,
new brand
Feedback from our staff, supporters (including our members) and stakeholders highlighted the need for change. While the charity is recognised for its expertise in the sector, we were sometimes perceived as too corporate, clinical, and even cold. People expressed a desire for us to be more reflective of the diverse experiences of those living with mental illness.
We worked with a creative agency, staff and supporters and we now have a colour palette and logo more accessible to people with visual impairments and diverse designs to better reflect our core values. Our new brand is friendlier and we have a more flexible tone of voice.
You may have noticed we
But the brand refresh is more than just a new logo or colours; it symbolises our commitment and mission of bringing meaningful change to people severely affected by mental illness so they can have a good quality of life.
You may not notice the change to everything, all at once. We’ve updated most of our digital platforms, but to save costs we’re running down our current printed materials and will replace these with the new logo when they run out. Anything new we create will use the new branding.
We’re keen to get your feedback, so please email communications@rethink.org if you have any reflections or questions.
Meet a Trustee
Get to know Raj Sheth
Raj is Vice-Chair of our Board of Trustees. Here he shares why he first became involved with Rethink.
What has motivated your involvement with Rethink?
I got involved with Rethink for three main reasons:
Having a family member with a mental illness showed me how life-changing great care can be.
I wanted to help tackle the huge challenges of mental illness across the country.
I was inspired by the amazing work Rethink does.
Rethink’s services are true lifelines for those with severe mental illness. They offer a well-rounded support system, covering financial, social, and practical help, along with clinical needs. They really listen to people with lived experience and focus on co-production. Plus, their fantastic campaigning work to influence government policy and raise awareness locally is crucial. I was excited to be part of this effort to make a real difference.
How does your professional background support your role on our Board?
I started out in tech as a trainee software programmer, which eventually led me to management roles. In 2003 I joined a tech startup, and by 2014 I became its Chief Executive, retiring in 2022. My tech background helps me review and advise the IT team when needed.
I’ve also used my strategy development, commercial experience, and knack for improving operational procedures to maximise efficiency when supporting the Board and Executive Team (XT) at Rethink. Plus, I’ve tapped into my network for help and advice to add value in my role as Trustee.
What do you most enjoy about being a Trustee?
I have to pay tribute to my colleagues on the Board as well as the members of XT that I get to work with. The level of experience, care and commitment they bring to their roles and our discussions is inspirational. I had no background in healthcare or social services, but I’ve found that a mental illness charity and a Fin-Tech startup face surprisingly similar challenges.
As a Trustee, I get to visit services and meet the amazing people running them and some of our beneficiaries. I’m always so impressed by the dedication and passion of the teams delivering and shaping these services.
Can you share one of your highlights from our Members’ Day in November?
The panel discussion was truly moving. It brought together impressive speakers who shared how severe mental illness has impacted their lives, how they have dealt with it and how they have become galvanised to work for change.
Why was our #LetsRethink anti-stigma campaign important for you?
So many people will have had experience of mental illness, either directly or through close family or friends. In my own experience there’s a feeling of stigma, and even shame initially. It’s not until I started to talk about my experience that the feeling of stigma lifts and people can start seeing the person, not the condition. The campaign highlighted this very well.
How do you spend your free time?
My main hobby is music. I play guitar in a couple of bands and enjoy the camaraderie this brings. We have a lot of fun. Playing an instrument is a journey, and continually learning every step of the way gives a great sense of achievement.
Rethink’s services are true lifelines for those with severe mental illness.
Members’ Day
In November we held our bi-annual Members’ Day. It was a superb event, here are some highlights of the day.
Dr Zoe Swithenbank research presentation: ‘Improving treatment pathways and outcomes for people with co-occurring mental health problems and alcohol use disorders’ (MAP).
I worked on the NIHR-funded MAP project at Lancaster University, which explored the different treatment pathways for individuals with both alcohol and mental health problems. These are often treated separately despite a connection. People with lived experience were involved in the project and advised throughout, which is important as this bridges the gap between those living with the conditions and the research process. Their perspectives offer an invaluable insight which can otherwise be overlooked, making the findings more relevant and practical.
The MAP Project is close to my heart as I have experiences of both mental health issues and problematic alcohol use, and how difficult it can be to find and access appropriate support.
The current phase of the MAP project ended in October but the team is applying for funding to continue this important work. We plan to develop resources for individuals needing support, their families, and healthcare professionals, to ensure effective care for people facing both alcohol and mental health challenges.
- Dr Zoe Swithenbank
Psychiatrist Professor Femi Oyebode the presentation of mental illness in literature and its impact. He referenced writings such as Dan Schreiber, 2021 “According to Krepling’s textbook of psychiatry, the 5th edition Leipzig 1896, the phenomenon of being in some supernatural communication with voices had frequently been observed before in human beings”.
Watch Professor Oyebode’s full speech, and all other recordings of the day at: rethink.org/membersday
Michael, a member, shares his thoughts about the day:
What does membership mean to you and why did you come to Members’ Day?
I became a member to give back after receiving support during my own mental health struggles. Being part of a likeminded group that values mental health services and society is important to me. Rethink is leading the way in improving mental health services, and I'm excited to help make a difference.
Lately, I've been thinking about how I can do more personally and contribute as a new member, which is why I attended Members' Day.
What were your highlights of the day?
My highlights were the diverse range of speakers, including psychiatrist Professor Oyebode and Dr Swithenbank, who used services herself. The panel sharing their personal experiences and networking with likeminded individuals were also high points. The event ran smoothly, thanks to the well organised team who were really helpful, and the food was delicious.
What would you say to members unsure about attending the next Members’ Day? You won’t regret it. The team is really friendly and helpful. It could help you get your voice heard and will be a fruitful day out.
Panel Discussion
We hosted our first ever Expert by Experience panel. At the end of the discussion, we asked the panel for their reasons to be hopeful. Our favourite came from Debbie Best, who commented:
Rethink and other organisations trying to make change in mental health. There are such good conversations being had and I’m hopeful this change is coming. I think I can see it.
Meet our 2024 award winners
In November we announced and celebrated our 2024 Pringle and Janey Antoniou Award winners at our Members’ Day awards ceremony. Our annual awards recognise people and groups who have made a real difference to people severely affected by mental illness during the previous year.
Group of the Year
Green Health
Green Health, based in Daventry, won the Group of the Year Pringle Award. We spoke to group coordinators, Rita and Sanchia, to find out more about the group.
1. When did the group start and how has it evolved?
Daventry Mental Health Carers was founded over 25 years ago with the support of ‘carer consultant’, Paula Hanson, and service users. Peter Edge became the first Chairman. At the time, there was no local service in Daventry for service users to connect with nature. After a visit to the Green Health service in Heanor, Derbyshire in 2010, we recognised the need for such a service in Daventry. With support from Rethink, we identified the underused Community Garden, and enlisted Tony Newby, a Daventry Country Park ranger, to help establish the project.
2.
How can ‘greener living’ help people severely affected by mental illness?
There’s something wonderful about sewing a seed in the polytunnel, watching it grow, then planting it out in the garden, and it turning into something delicious to eat or a beautiful flower to take home. At first, some service users prefer to garden alone, but it’s easier to chat while gardening than directly face to face or in a pressurised environment. Very quickly, friendships form and the social interaction and exercise improves people’s moods, lifting our spirits. With Tony’s supervision, people have also learned carpentry, and we now have
What’s been your group highlight of the past year? 3.
Our 2024 highlight was our open day. We invited members of the public to come and enjoy looking around our beautiful garden. Amazingly we were fortunate enough to have one of the only sunny days in July. The dahlias and rose garden looked fabulous and guests were able to take flowers and vegetables home for a small donation. Our volunteers served homemade bread, cheese, tea and cakes. We were entertained by members singing and playing guitar. It was a good chance to promote Green Health and the work of Rethink.
Can you share a positive outcome from the group’s work? 4.
Over the years, many people have benefitted from attending Green Health, but Chloe* made the biggest impact on us.
She came with her worried mother, Jane. Chloe was severely anxious and depressed; she would not speak or look at anyone. Jane joined our Carers group and we learned that Chloe had dropped out of university to become her boyfriend’s carer as he’d developed a severe mental illness.
After introductions we found them some light gardening to do. Over the weeks, Chloe grew more confident and was gradually assured that her boyfriend was not her responsibility – his parents were taking care of him. Eventually, they parted and he got the treatment he needed. Chloe learned to drive, passing her test first time, and now has a new boyfriend and a job. Her mother, Jane, is a happy woman.
*names have been changed
I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for all the people at Green Health.
Chloe*, group attendee
Service of the Year
Sahayak BAME Service
Rethink Sahayak, established in 1996, provides unique, culturally sensitive services to Ethnic Minoritised communities.
Offering both emotive and practical oneto-one support, it helps individuals achieve their goals within Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Ashford. Users praised the service’s role in improving their quality of life by offering support, fostering hope, and addressing specific cultural experiences, including trauma and domestic abuse.
‘Sahayak’ means ‘helpful’ in Hindi.
A recent survey of 32 respondants found:
86% agree the service has improved their quality of life.
100%
reported that the service was sensitive to their needs and experiences.
100%
believe their care was personalised and they had actual input into their care pathway.
The
service has provided me with hope, peers, purpose and support.
Supporter of the Year
Teresa Rutterford
Teresa’s been a dedicated supporter of Rethink, particularly since her son, Jerome’s, passing in 2018. Despite her own health challenges, she works hard to fundraise and raise awareness about mental health. Teresa uses her creative talents to host craft days and workshops, selling her work at local fairs and church events. So far, she’s raised over £10,000 for Jerome’s Tribute Fund.
Teresa actively promotes mental health awareness. She supports people who care for someone with mental health issues and has regularly attended and taken part in hospital meetings and advocated for better mental health support in her local trust.
Janey Antoniou Awards
Steve Whittle Winner
Steve, a mental health campaigner, founded the charity TOUGH TO TALK to tackle male suicide. With his own experiences, he offers unique insights into men’s mental health and is dedicated to breaking the stigma and providing tailored support.
Steve delivers impactful talks, creates powerful resources, and runs suicide first aid courses for male-dominated environments where men are the primary demographic, like construction and sports. The judges were impressed by the wide impact of his work, especially on such an important and often overlooked issue.
Runner Up Runner Up
After struggling to access mental health care herself, Katja co-founded the project ‘Sorry my mental illness isn’t sexy enough for you’. This international website raises awareness about mental health and the most stigmatised illnesses and helps friends and family better support their loved ones. The website’s first book is soon being published!
Alex is passionate to teach the next generation to support each other and ask for help. During his university studies, he started ‘Keep Talking Services’, training health and social care student volunteers to support the project. The service offers weekly phone calls to those experiencing poor mental health and by the end of 2024 it helped over 250 people in Kent and Medway.
Pringle Awards
Bill Pringle, son of our founder John Pringle, was a talented artist who lived with schizophrenia. Our two creative awards recognise the incredible creativity of our community. This year’s theme was understanding, one of our core Rethink values.
Bill Pringle Award for Art: Harriet Cook Hewitt
Harriet has experienced mental illness and has spent time in hospital. During periods of recovery, Harriet has achieved two degrees, including a Master’s degree.
This piece of art, titled ‘Understanding my spirits’, helped Harriet to make sense of the entities and voices that at times come with the illness and see them in a more positive light as spirit guides. She is in a very good place at the moment and art helps with Harriet’s mental health.
Award for Poetry:
Toni Roethling
Toni’s poem about understanding, documents her journey as a mother through the declining mental health of her children. Toni’s children both have severe mental illnesses and she has been their carer since she was widowed at the age of 50. Toni’s children are now in their mid thirties and Toni has been on this journey for over 20 years.
Understanding
Bundle of Joy
New, fresh, clean and bright Hopes and dreams reaching for the light
Children
Wild, savage, different, my sprite Awe and wonder, an absolute delight
Teens
The mist descends we seem to drift How can we ever mend this widening rift.
Adults
Haunted by demons, visions and delusions How can I save them, fix them and confusions
Understanding Not their dreams or hopes but mine Not my place to fix, mend and make shine
Understanding They are resilient and brave Their own way they must and can pave
Understanding
Walking beside on this stony path, Together to wellness, sharing a laugh.
March is Free Wills Month!
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and while none of us can predict the future, we can choose to protect the people we love. This March, take a step toward planning for the future by writing your Will for FREE.
Being severely affected by mental illness can make our world smaller, but we need each other now more than ever.
Leave a lasting legacy and make sure your wishes are clear for those who matter most. Visit rethink.org/legacy to find out more.
