Support 'Don't Count Me Out!'

An assertive campaign to put pressure on government to reconsider an archaic rule that bans people who have been treated for a mental health issue from serving on a jury has been launched.


The move, by mental health charity Rethink, came in a week where despite repeated government promises over the past five years to consult on the issue, the Ministry of Justice confirmed it would not be publishing a consultation after all. To date, no explanation as to why has been offered.


Actor Stephen Fry says: “There are thousands of people with mental health problems who are willing and perfectly capable of serving on a jury but who find themselves rejected solely because they see a doctor from time to time for support or medication. Exclusion purely on the grounds of treatment for a mental health problem is unfair and discriminatory, and eliminates a whole tranche of law abiding, competent individuals who should be entitled to play their part in the justice system.

Find out how you could support this campaign here.

World Mental Health Day - October 10th

World Mental Health Day on 10 October raises public awareness about mental health issues.

Many people take part in events this week - some will participate in Walks, some will organise local gatherings, some will write to their MP, some will donate a Facebook Status, a blog post or a few "tweets".

What will you be up to? What does World Mental Health Day mean for you?

Reply to this post or to our Facebook Group discussion.

Thank you

October 2009: Together gets walking for Mental Health

This month is one for those who like to combine physical and mental wellbeing in the open air:

On 9 October Reading Resource Centre will be helping to fight the discrimination experienced by some people with mental health issues by taking part in ‘Walk for Mental Health’. The walk is part as series of activity-based events being organised by the Time to Change campaign, which challenges attitudes and aims to change behavior associated with mental health discrimination.

In London, we've organised two walks around the Bridges on October 11th, to celebrate World Mental Health Day.
If you love photography - whether it is your profession or a favourite hobby - join us on October 11th and take part in our competition.

November 18th, 2009: Major Event to explore the relationship between Personalisation & Service User Leadership

We are all getting excited about the forthcoming National Conference "Should service Users Lead the Personalisation Agenda".

This major event takes place in the context of the UK Social Care Reforms where Personalisation plays a major role. With a government agenda aiming at giving Service Users control over their care, Together takes the concept further by exploring the role of Service User Leadership in Personalisation.

In addition to Together's expertise in Service User Involvement and Leadership, our speakers bring experience gained abroad or in different UK regions.

The Keynote speaker is Dr Dan Fisher, one of two key mental health advisors to the Obama administration.

He’ll be joined by Shaun McNeil, MD of Advocacy Matters in Scotland.

The Conference has a strong Service User perspective – it’s been planned by Service Users and every main speaker has lived experience of mental health services.

This is a unique opportunity to learn from practitioners who’ve been successfully implementing personalisation for over a decade.

And it seems that the speakers will not be the only ones to share valuable wisdom and experience. Places have already been booked by people with a wealth of expertise: Senior Executives, Directors, CEO's, Policy Leads and Personalisation specialists from major Charities, Local Authorities & the Department of Health, as well as University Lecturers. This promises to be an excellent occasion for networking and brainstorming.

An unmissable event for anyone interested in the major changes in goverment agenda or in Service User Involvement and Leadership.

Mental Health Service Users - Make your photo count!

ARE YOU A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE USER?

DO YOU HAVE SOME SPARE TIME w/c AUGUST 24th?

THIS IS A CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR PHOTO COUNT!


We are updating the Together photo library and looking for volunteers to have their photo taken by a fantastic professional photographer (see his photos). You will be asked to sign a release form to allow us to use the photos for Together publicity, including the website, but no names will be used. We want positive images of different people: young, old, men, women, an ethnic mix - doing normal, everyday things. Playing with your pet, your children, cooking, singing, chatting with a friend, having fun on a bike – whatever you like doing that’ll let people see YOU, not a mental health problem!

Ideally you’ll be available in or near central London during the week, or in Bournemouth (some photos by the sea are already planned). Travel expenses and a free CD of the photos taken for all who are selected. Allow at least an hour for the photos.

INTERESTED? Call (020 7780 7374) or email Claire Haslam BY MIDDAY AUGUST 19TH LATEST. if you’re interested. I will need your availability (Monday 24 – Friday 28th August, with details of what you might like to do, and a brief description of yourself.

Launch of the book "Voicing Psychotic Experiences: A Reconsideration of Recovery and Diversity"

Last week some 40 people turned up to a book launch party at Our Space Gallery, part of Together's National Office. Fascinating to hear directly from people who’d been brave enough to write a book about their psychotic experiences. And were brave enough to read out extracts too – here’s one from our Director of Service User Involvement, Anne Beales: ‘ One GP thought I was losing my ability to think straight when I told him I’d gone for a post in a national mental health charity. He was asked for a medical report and looked so pained and torn as he explained he couldn’t lie about my ‘history’. ‘Oh, that’s all right’ I said ‘it’s because of my history I’m suitable for the post!’ Lots of humour, lots of stories shared and it’s good to know that most of us are nutters at least part of the time! (Voicing Psychotic Experiences: A Reconsideration of Recovery and Diversity is avialable for Amazon)

Great news from the latest Together Conference on Personalisation

There was a Together conference on the hot topic of Personalisation last Monday – about people who are getting better by playing golf, joining the gym and going to the cinema, now they control their own budgets and don’t get coerced into going to day centres to sit and drink coffee and pretend it’s real life and fun! I particularly liked the story of the wheelchair bound lady who managed to dump the risk assessment in a corner and convince the powers that be that she could and should go water-skiing. So I learnt lots, including the fact that the jargon used around mental health is just that – jargon. Thank you Heather for this illuminating quote....”Peer support? What is peer support? Who is my peer? I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I can help you. “ I also found out some professional guru had spoken, mental health service users are no longer service users. They should now be referred to as clients. I took a big gulp. Every leaflet, booklet, web page we have talks about service users. Thankfully some were there. “I don’t want to be called a client. Actually (voice lowered) it makes me feel like a prostitute. “ Phew..... let’s not change our terminology yet.
Topped off by finding that Dan Fisher, the main speaker at our next conference in November advises Obama on US mental health strategy, when we just thought he was a great speaker...there’s fairy dust about!