Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Mayor's carol service

The Mayor has selected The Alzheimer's Society (Redbridge Branch) to support during his year of office. So, come along to a choral celebration of Christmas featuring the Cantori Vocal Ensemble and a very special finale!

The service is on Friday 18 December from 7pm at the Snaresbrook Crown Court Chapel. Tickets are £5 which includes tea, coffee and mince pies

Tickets are available from the Mayor's Office. Please call

Mental health and the economic downturn

Mental health problems are on the rise. Could the state of the economy be to blame? A new report investigates possible links.

Find out more here.

Council of Governors meeting, 9 December 09

The formal meeting of the Council of Governors of NELFT will take place on Wednesday 9 December 2009 from 10am to 12pm at Holiday Inn, Newbury Park, 713 Eastern Avenue IG2 7RH . Members of the public are welcome to attend

If you wish to see a copy of the agenda or any of the meeting papers, or any other information please contact Helen Winder, Trust Secretary on or

Find out more about the role of the mental health trust Governors on the NELFT website.

Redbridge - Hate Crime questionnaire 2009

Hatred is a strong term that goes beyond simply causing offence or hostility. A Hate Crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offenders hatred of someone because of their: disability; race; religion or belief; sexual orientation and transgender; age and gender.

The evidence suggests in a recent report - Disabled people's experiences of targeted violence and hostility that those with learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions are particularly at risk and suffer higher levels of actual victimisation.

The Redbridge Safer Communities Partnership are currently reviewing the priorities for tackling Hate Crime in Redbridge and are really interested to know what you think.

You can complete the online questionnaire here.

Time To Change

This is your chance to join England's most ambitious campaign to end mental health discrimination. Time To Change are recruiting for four new members of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel, which is crucial to ensuring that the voices of people with direct experience of mental health problems remain central to Time to Change.

The Panel interested in hearing from you if you have direct experience as a survivor, service user or carer and are involved with national, regional or local networks, and have skills in public speaking, media work, research, involving others or community engagement.

For more information, including application forms, visit the Time to Change website or phone .

Mental health provision for refugees and asylum-seekers in England and Wales

A report recently published by Mind - A civilised society: mental health provision for refugees and asylum-seekers in England and Wales has found evidence that the UK's complex asylum seeker process, detention centres and aspects of UK life are actively worsening the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers.

The report claims that a lack of support and resources for refugees and asylum seekers is both exacerbating pre-existing mental health conditions and triggering them in the first place.

Service user/client and carer experiences required

The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health is developing a NICE clinical guideline for the treatment and care of people with psychosis and substance misuse problems.

In the guideline we would like to include the experiences of people who have, or have had, psychosis and substance misuse problems together with their views on treatment and services. Therefore we are asking people with the relevant experience and their carers to write personal accounts (500-1000 words). This could describe your symptoms and problems, when you first saw someone about your problems, the treatments you were offered and whether treatment helped you.

If you are a carer, you may wish to describe your caring role, any support you have received, in what way your life has been affected, and your views on the person's treatment.

If you would prefer to record your account or be interviewed, this can be arranged. If your personal account is printed in the guideline your identity will not be disclosed unless you specifically request otherwise.

If you would like to contribute a personal account or you would like more details about contributing to the guideline please contact Katherine Leggett on or email: .

Web Site Editor

Jon Abrams
Redbridge Concern for Mental Health
98-100 Ilford Lane
Ilford, Essex, IG1 2LD
Web Site: rcmh.org.uk
Email:
Telephone:

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Disclaimer

Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Redbridge Concern for Mental Health unless otherwise specifically stated.