Bristol Rethink Mental Illness Carers Service Newsletter

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bristol Rethink Mental Illness Carers Service Newsletter Bristol Rethink Mental Illness Carers Service Newsletter Spring 2021 However, we are providing a lot of phone support, and carrying out carers assessments this way too. Remember that you can arrange for us to phone you on a certain day and time. We have some new introductions to make. Our new service manager Abraham Sanyang Photo:gardeningknowhow.com joined Rethink Bristol in December, and we would also like to welcome Josh, Issy, Dear All, Danielle and Sarah to our community team. Its been a long cold lonely winter for many, but Kazuri has also done some great research the spring bulbs are coming up, and we are and helped with producing this newsletter on a looking forward to emerging from behind our voluntary basis, see p 5-7. home desks. We would like to thank staff and colleagues in It has been a very busy year for us, as you mental health teams who have generously would expect with so many different reasons given their time to help us improve services for and new ways for family and friends to be carers. As well as co-facilitating support stressed. Whether you are trying to find groups, they have worked with us on planning stability for everyone in a small house, or and delivering workshops which have received worried about someone you can’t visit, it can excellent feedback, see p3. be hard to find peace. Lastly, if you have used Early Intervention for Life for those of you who don’t use computers Psychosis services recently, please check p11 is narrower, with many services now available only online. Our support groups are still online Very best wishes, only, and our workshops on Zoom are very Karen and Margaret well attended, but we are aware that these are not options for everyone. www.rethink.org/bristolcarers For Mental Health Staff What is Rethink Carers Service offering currently? • Individual phone support secure services at Fromeside & Wickham • Carers Assessments & Carers breaks • Finding information and specialised services • Newsletter locally • Workshops online • Linking with mental health teams and GPs & ensuring carers are involved in planning • Online group Support • Digital access: help to get online • Individual support for Family & Friends using Carers Support Groups Rethink Community Support Our support groups are still running online, The Bristol community support service is rather than in very warm rooms with welcoming referrals for individuals complementary cups of tea and biscuits. We experiencing mental health issues. We are don’t know when that will change, so in the presently providing support remotely rather meanwhile, why not try one out? than face to face which can be over the You are welcome to attend our monthly phone, on whatsapp, zoom or skype. online support group, which is held the Individuals work with an allocated Recovery second Wednesday in each month in the Coach who will support them throughout their evening. We are also offering an afternoon placement. Support begins with an group during lockdown. individually tailored recovery goal, followed The group is facilitated by a Rethink worker by weekly sessions taking manageable steps and there is often a staff member from towards the goal. Some examples of support mental health services as well — thanks to we offer include: building coping strategies to Jenna, Bethan and Grace. manage your mental health, improving self - care, increasing activity levels, building The next dates are: structure, and signposting. Wednesday 10th March, 6.30 – 7.30pm Wednesday 31st March 3pm – 4pm We are developing a groups programme that Wednesday 14th April 6.30—7.30pm will complement the one to one support, which will be available in the next couple of Please contact Karen for joining details. months. Contact us on 0117 9031801 to discuss support options and referral. How to refer a carer to us Just email or call us with the details of the carer and we can complete the referral over the phone. Or give them our details if you think they will seek support. Margaret Price, Service Co-ordinator (Mon—Thurs) 0796 7811146 [email protected] Karen Allen, Carers Outreach (Tues—Thurs) 07918 162 523 [email protected] You can also find our referral form here and send it password protected. www.rethink.org/bristolcarers 2 Workshops in 2020 & 2021 Our particular thanks to Jane Brown, Suzanne Gerrish, Paul and Sally, and Nicky Noble for For 13 years our Caring and Coping course, their help in making these workshops such a designed to help people in the first months and success. years of caring for family members and friends Some feedback from workshop participants: with mental health issues, has been a fixture in our year. Often run twice annually with the help “I really enjoyed the workshop and thought it all of local mental health professionals, it has went very well, professional and helpful. made use of their knowledge of what is Feelings and emotions did resurface but in a currently available to users of mental health good way.” services in Bristol. “Hearing other's experience was helpful and Now, with their help and the feedback of the knowing that you're not on your own is such a many family members and friends we talk to, reassuring comfort.” we are redesigning it so that we can explore the most popular topics in workshops and offer “I've learned about some tips and had the them online. chance to listen to other people and how they In 2020 we chose 3 topics: dealing with difficult have dealt with stressful situations.” emotions, communicating with someone experiencing symptoms, and how to help “I did find the structured approach to our discussions helpful.” recovery from mental illness. All the workshops were fully booked, and we “It opened my eyes to more solutions to found that dividing the workshop into two approaching difficult conversations…” sessions, with a few weeks in between, worked well. This makes it possible to try out any “I liked when we talked about phrases you can practical suggestions and techniques between use when you feel stuck…” the first and second parts, and stimulates useful discussion particularly in the second “Hearing Paul’s first hand experience and what session. helped him (an arm around his shoulder and This year we introduced the topic of gentle kindness) was very moving and so real.” understanding motivation and change, and we will be offering Boundary Setting as our next “What a great course. So lovely to get away workshop in March, followed by one specifically from targets and goals etc.” for carers with (or supporting those with) black or minority ethnic heritage. “I think the mix of presented material and small group work was about right. I found the You can find more information on our webpage demonstration at the end really helpful as it www.rethink.org/bristolcarers brought the style of interaction to life and I find or by emailing [email protected]. this the most useful way of learning.” Carers Assessments and breaks If you are over 18 and care for an adult with mental health issues who lives in Bristol, What is it, and how would I get one? Rethink Carers Service can carry out a carers It helps you to find out about things that could assessment on behalf of the City Council. help you in your caring role, to consider your When care needs are more complex, we will own health and wellbeing, and how caring refer you on for a more comprehensive affects other parts of your life such as work and assessment. You can do a self assessment family. online, but it takes much longer to process. It isn’t an assessment of your ability to care What does it involve? and it doesn’t affect other benefits or income Just contact us to make a phone appointment, you may be receiving. It can help to identify it usually takes 40—60 minutes. You can find a other needs you may not have thought about, checklist of the kind of information we will ask or don’t know how to get help with, and may you here: include financial help. www.bristol.gov.uk/social-care-health 3 Mental Health Act Reform: Consultation phase The government has published a White Paper “Specifically, we're pleased to see a clear emphasis on improving outcomes for the showing how they plan to modernise the disproportionately high number of Black people outdated Mental Health Act, which hasn’t and people from other ethnic minorities who are changed significantly since 1983. Here's the detained under the Act. We're also pleased with reaction of Rethink CEO Mark Winstanley: increased patient involvement in treatment plans, improved carer and family involvement, “This is a hugely significant milestone in a long and greater legal weight for advance decision- struggle for change. The White Paper sets out a making. vision and direction for the reform of mental “Despite its faults, the Mental Health Act is a health inpatient services, law and practice. lifesaving piece of legislation. It protects people Many people will take for granted their right to when they are very unwell. But now nearly 40 have choice and control over the medical years old, it is desperately out of date and treatment they receive. But thousands of people doesn’t reflect how a modern society thinks every year who are severely affected by mental about mental illness. The White Paper is a big illness and who are detained under the Act lose step towards change. In the coming days and those rights and temporarily their liberty. The weeks we will be encouraging people that have proposals set out in the White Paper, all been affected by the Act or who may be in informed by the Independent Review of the future to respond to the consultation, and will be Mental Health Act, give real hope for a more engaging with our supporters and beneficiaries person-centred and principled Mental Health in the hope of seeing major reform to the Mental Act.
Recommended publications
  • Mental Health in the Community, Care Homes and Mental Health Wards
    Mental health help and support services Time to Change Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign, which began in October 2007, run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. Their aim is to encourage people to talk about mental health issues and empower people with mental health problems to feel confident talking about the issue without facing discrimination. They have a wide range of projects, engaging people in all sectors and communities, encouraging them to start a dialogue and hopefully leading to a change in behaviour. Heads Together The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are spearheading a new campaign with a team of charity partners to end stigma around mental health. Heads Together brings together charity partners that are tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health challenges. They want to help people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and have the practical tools to support their friends and family. Heads Together has been chosen as the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year. The partners include – Anna Freud Centre – campaigning for and creating mental health services built around the needs and experiences of children, young people and their families and not around the institutions who deliver them. Best Beginning – supporting the mental health of pregnant women and new mothers. They are committed to helping parents build their knowledge and resilience and also to have confidence to seek help as soon as they need it. Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – a national charity dedicated to preventing male suicide by helping men who are down or in crisis, promoting culture change so that any man considering suicide feels able to seek help and campaigning for better understanding of suicide and prevention.
    [Show full text]
  • Party Parliamentary Group for Complex Needs
    All Party Parliamentary Group for Complex Needs Inaugural meeting for the 2017 Parliament 4pm, 13th September 2017 Room 12 (TV interview room), House of Lords Minutes of the meeting 1. Attendance In attendance at the meeting were: Lord Victor Adebowale (chair) Thangam Debbonaire MP Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top Lord Stone of Blackheath Lord Harris of Haringey 2. Report of activity from the previous parliament and briefing on current project – social action and complex needs Attendees were provided with a report on the APPG’s work during the previous parliament, the current project on complex needs and a proposed programme of events for the coming year (attached to the minutes). 3. Election of officers The following officers were elected 2017 parliament Luciana Berger MP (co-chair) Lord Victor Adebowale (co-chair) Johnny Mercer MP (vice chair) Steve Reed MP (officer) Baroness Gardner (officer) Baroness Jolly (officer) Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (officer) All-Party Parliamentary Group on Complex Needs & Dual Diagnosis Activity during 2016-2017 About the APPG The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on complex needs and dual diagnosis was established in 2007 in recognition of the fact that people seeking help often have a number of over-lapping needs including problems around access to housing, social care, unemployment services, mental health provision or substance misuse support. In most cases each service is administered by separate service providers. The result is that people with multiple or complex needs fall through the gaps in service provision. Providers recognise that the best model for helping those individuals with a dual diagnosis or complex needs is through an integrated service that aims to address all of the issues they face.
    [Show full text]
  • The Care Not Custody Coalition
    cnc2018.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2018 14:53 Page 1 2018 The Care not Custody Coalition Providing the right interventions at the right time is vital to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals within the criminal justice system, and to breaking the cycle of reoffending. I am pleased to see that NHS England’s roll out of Liaison and Diversion services is now operating across over 80% of the country. We continue to support this important work, which places clinical staff in police stations and courts to provide assessments and referrals to treatment and support for a range of vulnerable offenders. Further building on this approach, we are working with the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and NHS England in setting out a clear plan for delivering community sentences with treatment requirements. This sets out how health and justice staff should work to ensure appropriate treatment is in place for community sentences, and in doing so reducing the number of vulnerable people in prison. Finally, I am also pleased to see that the National Police Chiefs Council strategy promotes simplification of the Out Of Court Disposal framework and an increased use of conditions attached to disposals. This provides an opportunity for early intervention and to see positive outcomes for vulnerable offenders. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon David Gauke MP cnc2018.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2018 14:53 Page 2 Background The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) has called consistently for the diversion of people with mental health needs from custody into treatment and care.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 C/O Mark Winstanley Chief Executive Rethink Mental Illness 89
    C/o Mark Winstanley Chief Executive Rethink Mental Illness 89 Albert Embankment London, SE1 7TP [email protected] 26 June 2020 Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Dear Prime Minister, Covid-19 has changed the world as we know it. The devastating loss of life, months of social isolation and widespread financial instability has brought despair to individuals, families and communities. The initial pandemic has created a new crisis for our nation’s mental health. If we do not take urgent cross-government action our nation’s mental health will pay a heavy price for years to come. As a group of over 50 voluntary and social sector organisations we have come together in an unprecedented coalition. We represent some of the UK’s most vulnerable people and speak with one voice and with one clear call: the UK government must urgently work with us to establish a Mental Health Renewal Plan, with the financial and political backing, at the highest level, to turn this into immediate action. We are already seeing the effects of the crisis on our nation’s mental health. Research by our organisations has shown that almost 80 percent of people living with mental illness have reported that their mental health has got worse as a result of the crisis; more than 7,000 times a day, people struggling to cope are receiving emotional support from Samaritans; and almost half of the UK population is experiencing high levels of anxiety. Before the crisis, many people in our society with mental health problems were already struggling to access the basic support needed to stay well.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Protocol for a Two Stage Review
    WHAT WORKS: CRIME REDUCTION SYSTEMATIC REVIEW SERIES PROTOCOL FOR A TWO STAGE REVIEW Systematic map of police first response to people with mental health problems Systematic review of the impacts of police diversion (pre- arrest) into mental health services for people with mental health problems Authors: Carol Vigurs; Katie Quy Contents PROTOCOL FOR A TWO STAGE REVIEW ......................................... 1 1. Background ........................................................................... 4 1.1. Purpose and rationale for a map and review ..................................... 4 Economic impacts of mental health problems on the criminal justice system .... 4 Use of police custody .............................................................. 4 Models of police response ......................................................... 5 Link schemes and Liaison and Diversion schemes. ............................... 5 Diversion into mental health services .............................................. 6 People with mental hoblems with concurrent drug and/ or alcohol addictions. .. 6 When to divert ...................................................................... 9 The need for a systematic review ................................................ 11 1.1 Policy and practice background ................................................ 12 Police responses to people with mental health problems ........................ 12 1.2. Research background .......................................................... 12 Views of police ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Item 7 BIRMINGHAM and SOLIHULL MENTAL HEALTH NHS
    Item 7 BIRMINGHAM AND SOLIHULL MENTAL HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 2012 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT ACTION: This is the CEO’s briefing of current and emerging issues and our responses to those to date. The Board of Directors are required to digest this information; seek points of clarification and debate the direction of travel that this contextual briefing will have upon our future plans and decision making as a Board. 1. National Policy/Changes Sir David Nicholson (CEO, NHS Commissioning Board Authority and Chair of the National Quality Board) has issued a report outlining how ‘quality’ will operate within the new NHS architecture. The main messages in the report are as follows: • Quality is systemic. It is not the responsibility of any one part of the system; it is the collective endeavour, requiring collective effort and collaboration at every level of the system. • Clarity and understanding is required concerning the distinct roles and responsibilities for quality across the system. • Frontline professionals (both clinical and managerial) who deal directly with patients and carers are critical. • Boards and senior leaders of healthcare are ultimately responsible and accountable for ensuring the quality of care delivered is high, and for when things go wrong. • Commissioners are responsible for the quality of care they commission and regulators should perform their statutory functions with the best interests of patients at heart. • To strengthen the new system the report sets out a new network of local and regional Quality Surveillance Groups (QSG’s). QSG’s will bring together commissioners, regulators and other parts of the system to share information and intelligence about quality in order to spot the early signs of problems and to take corrective and supportive action to prevent early problems becoming more serious quality failures.
    [Show full text]
  • Better Practice in Mental Health for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities
    Better practice in mental health for black and minority ethnic communities Mental Health Providers Forum and Race Equality Foundation May 2015 Race Equality Foundation MHPF Unit 17 1st Floor Colechurch House Forward Deane House Studios 1 London Bridge Walk Race Equality Foundation Greenwood Place London Kentish Town SE1 2SX The Race Equality Foundation promotes race equality in social support (what families and friends London do for each other) and public services (what ‘workers’ do with people who need support). We do NW5 1LB Phone: 020 7253 7556 this by exploring what is known about discrimination and disadvantage, then developing evidenced- Email: [email protected] based good practice to promote equality. We then disseminate this good practice through Phone: 020 7428 1880 educational activities, conferences and written material. Email: [email protected] For 25 years, we have worked with the Department of Health in bringing about evidence-based change, for example, in mental health, and supported their engagement with the black and minority MHPF and Race Equality Foundation Project Team: ethnic-led third sector. Our evidence-based approach to achieving change has helped us to better understand the role played by black and minority ethnic-led voluntary organisations in the health Jabeer Butt Samir Jeraj sector and to gain an understanding of how these organisations can be engaged and supported. Kat Clayton Rebecca Neale Zoe Gardner Kathy Roberts The Better Health practice site includes a growing range of evidence-based briefing papers examining health topics and inequalities experienced by black and minority ethnic communities. Katja Huijbers Annie Whelan The site focuses explicitly on the use of evidence to affect positive change and is used by Farah Islam-Barret Grace Wong practitioners and academics in health both nationally and internationally.
    [Show full text]
  • Police Responses to People with Mental Health Needs
    WHAT WORKS: CRIME REDUCTION SYSTEMATIC REVIEW SERIES NO. 6: POLICE RESPONSES TO PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS: A SYSTEMATIC MAP OF THE LITERATURE Authors: Carol Vigurs, Katie Quy EPPI Centre, UCL-Institute of Education, Department of Social Science, University College London, UK Corresponding author: Carol Vigurs EPPI Centre Social Science Research Unit (SSRU) UCL-Institute of Education 18 Woburn Square London WC1H 0NR Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7612 6413 Fax: +44 (0)20 7612 6400 1 COPYRIGHT This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. In addition there should be an indication if any changes were made to the original text and there should be no suggestion that the authors or any of their collaborators endorses you or your use. This research was carried out by the EPPI Centre, Social Science Research Unit at the UCL Institute of Education. The research was co-funded by the College of Policing and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); Grant title: 'University Consortium for Evidence-Based Crime Reduction'. Grant Ref: ES/L007223/1. 2 Contents 1 1. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 7 1.1 People with mental health problems and the criminal justice system .................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Mental Health Act Fit for Tomorrow an Agenda for Reform
    A Mental Health Act fit for tomorrow An agenda for reform June 2017 Research undertaken by Rethink Mental Illness 1 Contents Who we are Foreword 3 The Mental Health Alliance is Executive summary 4 a coalition of more than 65 organisations that came together Background 5 in 2000 to provide a focus The research 8 for campaigning on common concerns about reform of the Safeguarding people’s rights 10 Mental Health Act, up to and Principles underpinning the Mental during the passage of legislation Health Act 12 through Parliament. The case for urgent change 16 While we welcomed some of the Conclusions and recommendations 19 changes that were introduced through the 2007 amendments, we have continued to champion the need for comprehensive reform. 2 A Mental Health Act fit for tomorrow Foreword The Mental Health Act 1983 sets out the legal Whilst a majority of respondents agreed that there framework for compulsory powers in England are circumstances when involuntary treatment and Wales. It has a huge impact on the lives of in hospital may be necessary, the survey reveals individuals needing mental health treatment and deep concerns that people’s dignity, autonomy their families and loved ones. and human rights are overlooked. When asked about additional rights that are needed, The Mental Health Alliance is a coalition of more respondents highlighted rights to treatment, choice than 65 organisations that came together in 2000 of treatment and place of treatment, information, to provide a focus for campaigning on common and to have a voice – among many other things. concerns about reform of the Mental Health Act, up to and during the passage of legislation through The Mental Health Act is not fit for purpose.
    [Show full text]
  • The Care Not Custody Coalition
    The Care not Custody Coalition This briefing paper draws together some of the many and varied activities that members of the Care not Custody Coalition are engaged in and progress made. It has been produced for a reception of the Care not Custody Coalition and other guests, on Thursday 10 July 2014. We are pleased that the reception will be addressed by the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP. Background The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) has called consistently for the diversion of people with mental health needs from custody into treatment and care. Its Care not Custody initiative was inspired by the tragic death by suicide of a schizophrenic young man in Manchester prison, the son of a WI member. Since then the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) has worked in partnership with the NFWI to effect change. In March 2011, at a reception hosted by the NFWI and PRT, the Secretaries of State for Health and Justice jointly announced their commitment to developing liaison and diversion services in police custody suites and criminal courts across England by 2014, and the investment of £50 million to support this initiative. The Care not Custody Coalition was convened following this reception and comprises a wide range of allied professional groups and charities. The Coalition represents 34 different organisations and professional bodies, and almost two million people across the health, social care and justice sectors and wider civic society. Together, we show the breadth of support that there is for the development of effective liaison and diversion arrangements for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and other support needs caught up in the criminal justice system.
    [Show full text]
  • Further Resources Part 8
    Further resources Part 8 Emergency contacts National Crisis Helplines If you are not in contact with specialist mental SANE national, out-of-hours mental health health services it is always best to contact helpline offering specialist emotional support your GP asking for urgent help and support if and information to anyone affected by mental your relative, partner or friend is experiencing illness, including family, friends and carers. a mental health crisis. If you cannot get your Open every day of the year from 6pm-11pm. relative to go to the GP surgery, request a home visit. www.sane.org.uk Tel: 0845 767 8000 If you are unable to get help from your GP and you believe your relative, partner or friend Samaritans If something’s troubling you, then is a serious risk to themselves or others you get in touch. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 can request an assessment under the Mental days a year. Health Act 1983. Contact the relevant service, please see below, and ask to speak to the duty www.samaritans.org social worker. Tel: 08457 90 90 90 South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust During office hours, Monday- Local services Friday 9am-5pm call 020 3513 3200 Carers in Mind Specialist support service Emergency Duty Team (out of office hours) for people supporting someone over 18 Monday-Friday 5pm-8am and 24 hours at experiencing mental health problems delivered weekends and on Bank Holidays call 020 8744 by Richmond Borough Mind. A range of 2442 services offered including information resources, 1:1 advice and guidance, family training workshops, support groups, social activities, respite funding and complementary therapies.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Psychosis Services: Carer Focused Psychoeducation and Support-Brief Version
    Early psychosis services: carer focused psychoeducation and support-brief version The main report was commissioned by the London Early Intervention Clinical Reference Group and the original version submitted 12th July 2018. This report serves as an abbreviated version of the full report submitted 12th July 2018. Author Dr Juliana Onwumere, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, King’s College, London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. London, United Kingdom Acknowledgments The author acknowledges the contribution of the CRG particularly Dr Bill Tiplady and Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas. 1 Foreword Carer education and support interventions in psychosis comprise key components of NICE treatment recommendations for psychosis 1 and provision of NICE compliant care as per the early intervention access standard.2 There is, however, minimal clarity on what precisely constitutes the best approach to providing these interventions and how they should be offered, and local initial surveys highlighted significant variation in practice. This report was commissioned to briefly summarise current published evidence on carer educational and support interventions, and provide a narrative on best practice recommendations, which are clearer from the available evidence, to inform service delivery. The report was primarily designed for use by individual EIP practitioners, who are designing carer education and support interventions, and for team, service managers and clinical leads seeking to ensure that their carer education and support offer is robust and of good quality. It may also be of potential interest for commissioners looking for information to inform service specification and evaluation. However, the report was not conceived or presented as a prescriptive ‘how-to’ guide.
    [Show full text]