Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Having our Say - s135 and s136 of the Mental Health Act 1983

"I know of a female who just wanted to get her toothbrush and toiletries and the Police just piled in on her and didn't let her get her own personal things and didn't treat her with dignity and respect in her own home. This is a women who is said to be unwell."

You can find out more about what people in Redbridge have been telling us and our full response to the Government's Review here

Patients sectioned 'because of pressure on beds'

Pressure on mental health beds is so severe that some patients are having to be sectioned to secure necessary care, a survey of junior doctors suggests. The Royal College of Psychiatrists questioned 576 trainees working in psychiatry across the UK. The college said its findings suggested mental health services were approaching a "tipping point" and that the situation was "simply unacceptable".

You can read the full story here

RUN-UP Newsletter

Read and download the latest RUN-UP newsletter and find out about the new confidential, national helpline for Women affected by Self-Harm

Carers Information Day

This year Carers Week will take place during 9-15th June 2014 and to celebrate RCSS (Redbridge Carers Support Service) has many events planned locally over these dates.

RCSS main event will be the Carers Information Day taking place on Friday 13th June 2014 in the Gloucester Room, Central Library, Ilford. Event is open to the public from 11-2pm.

The day is dedicated in raising awareness of unpaid carers in Redbridge and the available support especially from or through local organisations

Service users invited to apply for new academic scholarships

A new scholarship for King's College London has just launched as part of its Access to the Professions scheme. The prestigious Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) is offering ten fully funded postgraduate scholarships.

The aim is to attract people from under-represented groups to be able to take on further studies to support their future careers.

Whether you already work in health or social care services, or have used the services and are considering a career then these could be for you. IoP's postgraduate qualifications include master's programmes in Addiction Studies, Family Therapy, Mental Health and more.

Applications must be for study starting in the 2014/15 academic year and the application deadline is 14 July 2014.

To find out more visit the IOP website here

Supporting someone who feels suicidal

Suicidal feelings can be frightening and painful for the person who is experiencing them, as well as for their partner, family, friends and colleagues.

Mind has recently updated their booklet 'How to support someone who feels suicidal'. It explains how to support someone, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.

You can download the Mind Booklet here

Take part in 'parity of esteem' Parliamentary inquiry

The Royal College of Psychiatrists, along with Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, are running an inquiry with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health into parity of esteem, and one element of the inquiry is around public mental health.

'Parity of esteem' should mean that mental and physical health and treatment is equally valued and resourced. 'Public mental health' is actions taken to prevent mental illness like education in schools, tackling poverty and reducing isolation.

The inquiry wants to hear from people with lived experience of mental health distress. You can fill out the survey here

Do you need extra help to pay your rent or council tax?

It's normal to feel worried, anxious or down when times are hard. Job insecurity, redundancy, debt and financial problems can all cause emotional distress

Are you receiving Housing Benefit but still struggling to pay your rent in full? Are you finding it hard to pay your Council Tax even though you receive a Council Tax Reduction?

There is extra financial support which may be available to help you

Find out more on how to access Discretionary Housing and Hardship Payments on Redbridge i

Alternatively, email Redbridge Council
or call 020 8708 5690 and we can send you a form

Help available through the Redbridge Emergency Support Scheme

The scheme will provide financial help in two ways, but ONLY where there is no alternative help available:

Firstly, where urgent short term help is needed in exceptional circumstances, for example after an emergency or disaster, or to prevent serious risk to a person's or their immediate family's health or safety.

Secondly, where a person needs help to establish themselves in Redbridge after being in institutional care, as part of a planned resettlement programme, for example after leaving prison or residential care.

Please note: No cash payments will be made unless exceptional circumstances apply.

To find out more about the scheme and how to apply for emergency support click here

Is someone hurting or upsetting you because of who you are? We're here to help.

Redbridge Concern for Mental Health is now a Hate Crime Help and Referral Centre. We offer a safe, confidential environment for anybody who has experienced crime, harassment or abuse because of their: race; religion; sexuality; disability; age; gender identity or mental health condition.

Talk to us and we'll tell you about the wide range of options and support available to you. You can contact us on or email:

For more information about Hate Crime Help and Referral Centres visit Redbridge i

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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Registered Charity No. 1065770

A big thanks to our funders: the London Borough of Redbridge and NHS Redbridge

Disclaimer

All links in the Concern for Mental Health's enews bulletin have been selected using a standard links protocol. Links are provided for information and convenience only. Redbridge Concern for Mental Health cannot accept responsibility for the content of sites linked to, and any links do not represent an endorsement by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of linked pages.