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Listen
Well? Issue 4: Spring/Summer 2004
well?...what else?
mental health and well-being...
news and information...
SUPPORTING THE MEDIA
Work is now under way aimed at supporting the media in providing accurate and responsible reporting of mental health and suicide issues. Work will include producing updated guidance for the media, seminars and discussion forums, contact with schools of journalism and media courses, mental health first aid training for journalists and others working in the media, the development of media and press awards recognising the positive contribution the media can make to public awareness and understanding of mental health.
National Programme Team
t: 0131 244 2551
INEQUALITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH
In October 2003, with financial support from the National Programme, the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health held a major conference on the theme of inequalities and mental health which explored the wide spectrum of work on disability equality, and the impact which mental health issues have on questions of "multiple discrimination". Material generated from the conference will be used to develop a more extensive resource document to inform both policy and practice, which will be available towards the end of 2004. This will include an overview of the policy and legislative framework and will take an exploratory approach to identifying key issues and challenges in understanding and addressing inequalities in mental health.
National Programme Team
t: 0131 244 2551
SCOTTISH RECOVERY NETWORK
The Scottish Recovery Network (SRN), developed by a consortium of organisations, is currently being established. The SRN aims to promote and support recovery for people with mental health problems across Scotland. Work will begin on collecting and disseminating national and international evidence on Recovery, developing a national network of health and social care professionals, other practitioners, people with experience of mental illness and others to progress good practice in supporting recovery.
The post of SRN director was advertised in March and a work plan for the next two years will be published shortly.
Nigel Henderson
Penumbra
t: 0131 475 2380
HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOLS UNIT
Following the publication in February of
Being Well - Doing Well, a framework for health promoting schools in Scotland, the National Programme is providing financial support to the Health Promoting Schools Unit to support mental health promotion in schools.
Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit
Wendy Halliday
t: 01382 443628
HealthPromotingSchoolsUnit@LTScotland.org.uk
EMPLOYMENT AND WORKING LIFE
As part of the National Programme's focus on key areas for action, three pieces of research on mental health and well-being in the workplace have been undertaken by NHS Health Scotland.
Employer perspectives of mental well-being in the workplace.
Employee perspectives on mental health in the workplace.
The business case for mental health in the workplace.
Miriam O'Connor
t: 0131 536 5522
www.hebs.com/research
SCOTLAND'S HEALTH AT WORK
The National Programme is providing funding to support Scotland's Health At Work (SHAW) to address mental health issues in the workplace. A development officer post has been established, training for mental health in the workplace is being developed and links are being made across public and private sector workplaces to support improvements in mental health at work. A Special Commendation SHAW Award on mental health is currently being developed.
Nina Goodlad
t: 01224 551352
www.shaw.uk.com
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The National Programme is working with NHS Health Scotland, CoSLA, Communities Scotland and Community Health Exchange (CHEX) to take forward recommendations from the Building Community Well-Being report published in 2003. The next phase will focus on capacity building in four local areas with development support provided by the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health.
National Programme Team
t: 0131 244 2551
e:well@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
"CHOOSE LIFE" SUPPORTS SAMARITANS
The "Choose Life" national suicide prevention strategy is supporting Samaritans to develop their infrastructure in Scotland. The aim is to:
increase the number of volunteers available to respond to those in need of immediate support
increase Samaritans' involvement with other voluntary and statutory organisations to help disseminate good practice
add to the skills development of a national training strategy for those dealing with individuals at risk of deliberate self-harm or suicide
enhance the work of Samaritans with the Scottish Prison Service to support vulnerable inmates.
Caroline Farquhar
t: 0131 244 5224
e:caroline.farquhar@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
REPORT ON HEALTHY AGEING
Scotland's leading independent think tank, the Scottish Council Foundation, has published a report highlighting the need to address the increasing ageing population in Scotland and to invest in healthier outcomes at all stages of life.
The report,
'Healthy Ageing: A Whole Life Agenda', highlights key challenges which will impact on everyone in Scotland 20 years from now, transcending health, education, welfare, employment and financial planning. Issues include the fact that people's health is not keeping pace with increased longevity, higher claims for incapacity benefits, the falling birth rate, the need for legislation to avoid age discrimination and enabling a better work/life balance.
The full report can be seen onwww.scottishcouncilfoundation.orgor call 0131 315 4370
BREATHING SPACE
Breathing Space is a confidential free-phone service staffed by specialist advisors who can offer information, advice and support to people who are experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, or are feeling particularly low, depressed or anxious. Particularly aimed at young men, the service provides a lifeline when other services are unlikely to be available.
Launched two years ago, Breathing Space has been promoted primarily in the Greater Glasgow and Argyll and Clyde areas. Plans are now in hand to roll it out across Scotland by spring 2005. Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (6pm - 2am daily). The service is provided for the National Programme by NHS 24.
Bill Aitchison
t: 0141 435 3900
"ONE-IN-FOUR"
SET FOR ENCORE
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) is preparing to launch this year's "One-in-Four" music festival in May with another innovative mix of some of the UK's brightest young talent and a positive message of mental health awareness.
This year the event will collaborate with a bigger music festival in Glasgow, "10 Days in May", which is running for the first time.
A "One-in-Four" booklet will be available at the event along with a free CD with the aim of promoting and raising awareness of good mental health in young people. The exclusive CD will feature tracks donated by various bands and artists who support "One-In-Four".
e:noreen.devine@samh.org.uk
www.one-in-four.co.uk
THE FACTS ON FILM
A 20-minute film entitled
1 in 100: an introduction to psychosis has been produced by the Shamanic Studios, a charity based near Elgin which provides a free multi-media recording service for people with mental and physical disabilities. Described as a hard-hitting film with the facts about mental illness, the film has been praised by Kay Redfield Jamison, professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution in the USA.
To obtain a copy on DVD call Graham Clark on 01343 842567.
www.shamanicstudios.com
MENTAL HEALTH IN INFANCY
YoungMinds, the mental health charity which advocates that there should be a targeted service to ensure that every baby has the maximum chance of developing optimum mental health, has published a policy document on infant mental health services.
Mental Health in Infancy
is available from YoungMinds
t: 020 7336 8445
e:enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk
VOLUNTEERING IN HEALTH
Volunteer Development Scotland has produced a report,
Volunteering in Mental Health and Well-Being, which covers barriers and benefits for volunteers, policy and practice, innovation and good practice.
For a copy, contact
Volunteer Development Scotland
t: 01786 479593
e:vds@vds.org.uk
www.vds.org.uk
LOOKING AFTER "LOOKED AFTER" YOUNG PEOPLE
The Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum works with young people who have moved on from care. It aims to promote their participation and development in influencing throughcare and aftercare policy developments nationally, and the development of local services for young people leaving care. The forum is funded by Comic Relief.
Janet Sanders
t: 0141 341 0144
e:enquiries@scottishthroughcare.org.uk
NATIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
The National Programme has provided funding to establish a project to improve children and young people's mental health in Scotland. Recruitment for the post of director is currently underway and the project is expected to commence in May.
Graham Bryce
Chair of the Child Health Support Group (CAMH) Development Group
t: 0141 531 3301
CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS REPORT
The Mental Health Improvement "concepts and definitions" report is now available on the National Programme website. The report aims to help clarify the meaning and significance of different terminology relating to mental health which can hinder communication and lead to misunderstandings.
www.wellontheweb.net
DIARY DATESFour Nations Debate
Public Mental Health: the art, science and politics of creating a mentally healthy society
27 October, Edinburgh
The Journal of
Mental Health Promotion, supported by the National Programme and in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, Pavilion Publishing, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health, is holding a debate on the future of public mental health in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Tel: Lynne Friedli 0207 700 5035
lynne.friedli@btopenworld.com
Bridging the Gap Seminars
Monday 26 April, Ayr
Friday 7 May, Edinburgh
Thursday 20 May, Stirling
Wednesday 2 June, Aberdeen
Bridging the Gap is a series of training seminars run by Children in Scotland in association with Penumbra, and supported by the National Programme. The seminars are designed to raise awareness of mental health issues across the range of children's services and to offer practitioners opportunities to develop their skills in this area. Seminar themes will include challenging perceptions; promoting mental health and well-being; and exploring local needs and issues, together with workshops on peer education, anti-bullying, de-stigmatising mental health, building resilience and using the arts to promote positive mental health.
Children in Scotland
t: 0131 228 8484
Work Positive: Prioritising Organisational Stress
Wednesday 28 April, Lanarkshire
Tuesday 18 May, Aberdeen
Thursday 10 June, Edinburgh
Work Positive - Prioritising Organisational Stress is a resource developed by NHS Health Scotland and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Ireland, for use in small and medium-sized enterprises and has been successfully piloted in larger organisations. It follows a five-step process to assist these organisations in identifying and reducing potential causes of stress. NHS Health Scotland is running a series of workshops for local advisors or in-house experts who have a role in working with organisations wishing to tackle this issue.
Margaret Richardson,
NHS Health Scotland
Fax: 0131 536 5594
Email:
margaret.richardson@hebs.scot.nhs.uk
Conference: Mental Health, Well-Being and Spirituality
12 - 14 August, Dundee
An international conference,
Mental Health, Well-Being and Spirituality, exploring the relationship between physical and mental health and the relevance of spirituality to healthcare is planned at the West Park Centre in Dundee from 12 - 14 August. Workshop themes will include psychosis and spiritual emergence, compassion in caring, interfaith and multicultural traditions and meditation.
e:
info@mhwspirituality04@tpct.scot.nhs.uk
www.mentalhealth-wellbeing-spirituality-conference.info
User, Consumer, Survivor, Refuser
Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 June, Dundee
A free consultation event organised by, and for, service users will take place at the West Park Conference Centre in Dundee on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 June. The event will explore how Scotland's mental health service user movement should be focused, organised and accountable.
Noreen Devine.
Tel: 0141 568 7000
Email :
noreen.devine@samh.org.uk
Seminars for Ethnic Minority Health
The National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health (NRCEMH) is organising a series of free informal seminars across Scotland to explore initiatives used to aid mental health services for diverse minority ethnic communities in Scotland. These are:
Wednesday 27 April, Glasgow
Moving towards a multicultural mental health service.
Wednesday 19 May, Stirling
Breaking the Cycle of Fear.
Wednesday 9 June, Glasgow
Cultural Capital and Mental Health Services
Provision in Diverse Communities.
Carrie McNeil
Tel: 0141 300 1044
Email:
Carrie.McNeil@phis.csa.scot.nhs.uk
*All dates are 2004 unless otherwise stated.
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