NEWS
Transgender Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Study 2012
16/10/2012 12:20:38
The Scottish Transgender Alliance has published a report showing the findings of a recent survey into the mental health of Transgender individuals. The largest survey of its kind, The Trans Mental Health Study 2012 provides crucial information on transgender people's mental health needs and experiences in the context of daily life, transition, social/support mechanisms, general health care, mental health services and gender identity services.
The report explores how the process of transitioning (social and/or medical) impacts mental health and wellbeing, and is unique in that the survey looks at both the positive and negative impacts that being transgender has on mental health and wellbeing. Key findings include: '74% felt that their mental health had improved as a result of transitioning. The 5% who reported a decline felt this was in relation to lack of appropriate support, losing family and loved ones, or for reasons which respondents felt were unrelated or ‘not directly related’ to the transition, such as employment or cultural/environmental issues'. 88% of respondents had or felt they had depression; 80% had or felt they had stress; 75% had or felt they had anxiety.
Click here to read the full report
No Health without Mental Health: New guidance for local services
15/10/2012 11:41:58
The Mental Health Strategic Partnership, a partnership of leading mental health charities, have developed a series of briefings to help develop better local mental health services. Following the publication of the implementation framework for the Government's mental health strategy, these briefings set out the steps that local authorities and NHS commissioning groups can take to improve mental health care, treatment and support. The briefings explain in practical terms the ways that the new local structures and organisations can make sure that there are good quality mental health services in their local area as well as improving mental health and wellbeing for everyone in the community.
Seperate briefings are available for each of the local services that deal with mental health; there are briefings available for: CCGS, Local HealthWatch, Health and Wellbeing boards, Directors of Public health, Local authorities and Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Please use the links below to download a copy of the appropriate guidelines.
Click here to download the guide for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
Click here to download the guide for Local HealthWatch
Click here to download the guide for Health and Wellbeing boards
Click here to download the guide for Directors of Public Health
Click here to download the guide for Local Authorities
Click here to download the guide for Overview and Scrutiny Committees
Women Supporting Women - New group for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in South Tyneside
15/10/2012 10:47:56
Women Supporting Women is a new group in South Tyneside for women who are lesbian, bisexual or simply unsure of their sexuality to share their experiences with like-minded women. Women supporting Women also provide a discreet meet and greet service prior to support group meetings to alleviate any worries or concerns before attending. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month, 2pm – 4pm, at Women’s Health in South Tyneside (WHiST), Mile End Road, South Shields, NE33 1TA. For further information please call the confidential hotline on 07950 529 816 or contact via email - wswsott@gmail.com
Intensive care 'has lasting impacts on Mental Health'
15/10/2012 10:08:41
New research has found that 55% of people who survive intensive care treatment go on to develop psychological disorders. High levels of depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder were found in a study of 157 patients at University College Hospital, London: three months later 55% of the 157 patients had some form of psychological problem. Critical Care Journal reports that certain drugs combined with the stress of being in hospital seems to cause longer term issues, and so doctors want to trial reducing stress and altering drugs used in intensive care. There was also direct links between the risk of developing these disorders, the amount of time patients were sedated and the type of drugs used.
Click here to view the full article on the BBC News website
Press Release: Mental Health charities launch guides to improve local mental health services
11/10/2012 17:15:54
Press Release by Mental Health Providers Forum:
A partnership of leading mental health charities has launched a series of six briefings on World Mental Health Day to help develop better local mental health services. Following the publication of the implementation framework for the Government’s mental health strategy, these briefings set out the steps that local authorities, NHS commissioning groups and others can take to improve mental health care, treatment and support.
The briefings explain in practical terms the ways that the new Clinical Commissioning Groups, Local Authorities, Directors of Public Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Local Healthwatch and Health and Wellbeing Boards can make sure that there are good quality mental health services in their local area as well as improving mental health and wellbeing for everyone in the community. .
Sean Duggan, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health said: 'Mental health conditions account for almost one quarter ill-health in the UK. As these new systems in health and social care services emerge there is a great deal that those involved in commissioning and delivering services can do to ensure that mental health conditions are given 'parity of esteem' with physical health conditions.
Kathy Roberts, CEO at Mental Health Providers Forum said:
“We have been privileged to have been able to facilitate a true partnership of mental health organisations. The Mental Health Strategic partners have worked together and have made significant progress in supporting the Government to implement thought sharing strategically across the wider mental health service map. Acting as a two way conduit for new policies, which underpin the wide range of services delivered through voluntary sector providers who deliver services, we can improve quality and outcomes for the thousands of people who use services and their carers.”
The guide can be downloaded from the MHPF website - http://www.mhpf.org.uk/information-centre/news/mhpf-news-and-comment/mental-health-charities-launch-guides-to-improve-local
Press Release: Mental Health charities launch guides to improve local mental health services
11/10/2012 17:15:28
Press Release by Mental Health Providers Forum:
A partnership of leading mental health charities has launched a series of six briefings on World Mental Health Day to help develop better local mental health services. Following the publication of the implementation framework for the Government’s mental health strategy, these briefings set out the steps that local authorities, NHS commissioning groups and others can take to improve mental health care, treatment and support.
The briefings explain in practical terms the ways that the new Clinical Commissioning Groups, Local Authorities, Directors of Public Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Local Healthwatch and Health and Wellbeing Boards can make sure that there are good quality mental health services in their local area as well as improving mental health and wellbeing for everyone in the community. The briefings were commissioned by the Department of Health.
The Mental Health Strategic Partnership, which is led by the Mental Health Providers Forum, also comprises the Afiya Trust; Mental Health Foundation; Mental Health Helplines Partnership; Mind; National Survivor User Network; Centre for Mental Health and Rethink Mental Illness.
Sean Duggan, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health said: 'Mental health conditions account for almost one quarter ill-health in the UK. As these new systems in health and social care services emerge there is a great deal that those involved in commissioning and delivering services can do to ensure that mental health conditions are given 'parity of esteem' with physical health conditions.
'Mental health conditions can affect anyone but with effective promotion, prevention and early intervention their impact can be reduced dramatically. Every one of these organisations has a part to play in improving the care and support available for people with a mental illness as well as promoting good mental health for people of all ages.'
Kathy Roberts, CEO at Mental Health Providers Forum said:
“We have been privileged to have been able to facilitate a true partnership of mental health organisations. The Mental Health Strategic partners have worked together and have made significant progress in supporting the Government to implement thought sharing strategically across the wider mental health service map. Acting as a two way conduit for new policies, which underpin the wide range of services delivered through voluntary sector providers who deliver services, we can improve quality and outcomes for the thousands of people who use services and their carers.”
The guide can be downloaded from the MHPF website - http://www.mhpf.org.uk/information-centre/news/mhpf-news-and-comment/mental-health-charities-launch-guides-to-improve-local
New Mental Health Legislation Resource to launch 22nd October
09/10/2012 10:57:11
Mental Health Providers Forum (MHPF) will launch the Mental Health Legislation Resource at the House of Lords on 22nd October 2012. The Resource has been developed by the mental health voluntary sector and brings together the most commonly used legislation in Mental Health in England - the Mental Health Act 2007, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The resource will set out how these laws interact with the major care frameworks currently in use to support those who deliver and govern services to better understand the law relating to mental health and mental capacity. Kathy Roberts, CEO of MHPF said: “We are developing a programme of training targeting different tiers of organisation from board to operational level that will support the implementation of the learning from the Resource into accountability and practice”.
The event is sponsored and supported by Right Honourable Lord Wills of North Swindon and Woodside Park.
North Durham CCG Newsletter
05/10/2012 11:03:51
North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have published the October edition of their newsletter (Issue 2). This edition includes news of the appointment of Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Operating Officer and of lay members, as well as details of the North Durham CCG Constitution and a series of engaemenet events taking place this month.
Click here to view Issue 2 of the North Durham CCG Newsletter
New Report Claims Government is Targeting Disabled in War on Austerity
04/10/2012 11:20:18
The Government has targeted disabled people to bear the brunt in a needless war against austerity, a new report has claimed. Entitled The Austerity War and the Impoverishment of Disabled People, the report found that among the 2.7 million UK households with someone who receives disability benefits, the poorest 20 per cent will lose 16 percent of their income.
This figure is estimated to be four times larger than the percentage loss of income among the richest 20 per cent of households in the country. This follows research by Demos and funded by Scope that warned that between 2010 and 2015, disabled people could lose as much as £9 billion through cuts to state support and services.
The new report, commissioned by the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCODP), is based on an analysis of government data produced by several think-tanks.
Wise Group selected to lead Talent Match
04/10/2012 09:46:39
The Wise Group have been selected to lead the Talent Match Programme in the North Eastern LEP area. Talent Match is a £100 million programme launched by Big Lottery in July from which £8.7 million has been provisionally allocated to the North Eastern LEP area. VONNE, who are leading on partnership development, has established a steering group and recently held a stakeholder event. The Wise Group along with support from the steering group will now submit a proposal to BIG by November.
Click here for further information, if you would like to receive future information about this programme please contact Jo Curry: jo.curry@vonne.org.uk