Redbridge Concern Enews Bulletin

People with mental health problems more likely to be restrained and subjected to force in custody

A recently published report from the Independent Police Complaints Commission raises particular concerns about the use of force on people with mental health problems.

The report on police use of force says:

"The IPCC has frequently expressed concern about the relationship between mental illness, restraint and death. One in five of those involved in our investigations into use of force were known to have mental health concerns. They were four times more likely to die after force had been used than those not known to be mentally ill. They were much more likely to be restrained, to experience multiple uses of force, and to be subject to force in a custody environment."

The report also highlights the fact that there are scant mental health services between between 9pm and 3am, when half of the incidents involving use of force took place.

IPCC chair Dame Anne Owers said:

"Not only do police need training in recognising and communicating with people in mental health crisis, but there is an urgent need to invest in appropriate mental health services to prevent such crises or manage people through them."

Local funding for the voluntary sector – we need your views!

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Start: 14:45 Finish: 16:00
Venue: 5th Floor, Forest House, 16-20 Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1BA

RedbridgeCVS will be hosting a Grants Review meeting for all voluntary groups

Redbridge Council is currently reviewing its grants programmes. This review is not about the amount of funding spent on the voluntary sector, but about the ways it is distributed.

Free advice about debt

Mary Ward now provides free advice about debt to Redbridge residents. The Debt line telephone number  is or .

The  line is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm

The health crisis of mental health stigma 

Many people with mental illness experience shame, ostracism, and marginalisation due to their diagnosis, and often describe the consequences of mental health stigma as worse than those of the condition itself. Interventions to address stigma educate about mental illness and overcome the stereotypes that underlie prejudicial reactions. Along with pharmacological and psychological therapies, stigma interventions have emerged as potentially valuable and complementary tools.

In today's Lancet, Graham Thornicroft and colleagues review the evidence for effectiveness of interventions to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination, and conclude that they can work at an individual and population level. The evidence of benefit was strongest for interventions involving an individual with lived experience of mental illness, with sustained commitment to delivery over a long period.

You can read more here 

We are looking for volunteers to join our Dementia Befriending Scheme 

Support available for HIV+ gay and bi men in Redbridge

Start: 18:30
Finish: 20:30

Positive East provide a dedicated, attitude-free, friendly mix of information and advice updates on the issues which directly affect group members, plus a lively mix of social and fun events.

Like to find out more about our groups?Just call Positive East on , email or simply click here to complete the contact form and they will get back to you.

The group meets 6.30 to 8.30pm on the third Thursday of every month.