Our work building towards better mental health for all

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Centre for Mental Health news


** November 2020
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Hello from Sarah!
Dear friends,

We’re hurtling towards the end of a most unusual year, with no sign that things are getting back to normal any time soon. We hope you can find ways to look after yourselves and connect with people as the days get shorter and more restrictions come into force.

At the Centre we’ve been busy preparing for the launch of our final report from the Commission for Equality in Mental Health on 12 November, which will draw together all the findings from the three briefings we’ve published this year. It will also set out proposals for how we can build a system that makes equality in mental health possible. The third briefing ([link removed]) from the Commission was published this month, which finds that people with the highest risks of poor mental health too often get the least effective help. Keep your eyes peeled for the campaign we’ll be launching alongside the final report, calling for an end to all mental health inequalities.

This month has of course been Black History Month. Our Head of Children & Young People Kadra has written this fantastic blog ([link removed]) on Black mental health and self-care in a time of crisis
. We’re also delighted to have published the second piece ([link removed]) from our new Writer in Residence, Ramone Whittle, on navigating the difficult process of healing from trauma.

We’ll be in touch again soon to share the Commission for Equality’s final report. Until then, stay safe and well.

Take care,
Sarah
New Writer in Residence piece

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It's our pleasure to share Ramone Whittle's second piece as our Writer in Residence. This time around he grapples with the question: Why are we attracted to things that don’t help us? ([link removed]) With his relentless curiosity, he explores why we find it so hard to leave behind unhelpful habits in order to get to where we want to be with our mental health.

Read Ramone's latest writing
here ([link removed]) and if you missed his first piece you can catch up here ([link removed]) .
A Year in Our Lives

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We've published another stunning selection of submissions to our writing project. Read these thought-provoking pieces ([link removed]) and get inspired to share your own experience ([link removed]) during the pandemic.

Find out more about A Year in Our Lives in this new video ([link removed]) .
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Get involved ([link removed])

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Taster of Equally Well UK
We all have a part to play in reducing the 15-20 year mortality gap for people with a severe mental illness.

Join Equally Well on Wednesday 4 November, at 10:30am for a webinar showcasing some of their work towards building equal health for people with a severe mental illness. This is an opportunity to find out more about Equally Well for organisations interested in being a part of their growing membership. Register here ([link removed]) .
Latest publications
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Commission for Equality in Mental Health: Inequalities of experience and outcomes ([link removed])

This third briefing from the Commission for Equality in Mental Health ([link removed]) explores why communities with higher rates of mental ill health often get the least effective support. It precedes the Commission's final report, setting out key elements of a system designed to achieve equality of outcomes from mental health support.
Download the report here ([link removed])

Andy Bell explains the findings of the third briefing from our Commission for Equality.
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Peer support and workforce development ([link removed])

Peer support – provided by people with lived experience of mental health difficulties – is increasingly recognised as an important and potentially revolutionary element of mental health care. We were commissioned by Health Education England to explore the implications of expanding mental health peer support for three groups: children and young people, LGBTQ+ people, and older people. Our findings are explored in three separate briefings.

Download the briefings here ([link removed])
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How mental health charities are responding to Covid-19 ([link removed])

Covid-19 has put extra pressure on many people’s mental health and charities have had to quickly adapt their services to meet these needs. This report outlines the ways in which seventeen mental health organisations have been working together to understand and act on the mental health impacts and implications of Covid-19, our shared concerns, and the steps we are taking to support people’s mental health during the crisis.

Download the report here ([link removed])

IPS Training
We’re thrilled to say that our virtual training has been a success and our next three “Doing what works” courses for new Employment Specialists are sold out! We’ll be scheduling more courses for the new year so please keep in touch with us via our Twitter ([link removed]) to find out more training dates.

We’re really excited about our new course “Supporting What Works: Essential Training for Teams Hosting IPS ([link removed]) ” which trains people who work alongside IPS workers, helping them in achieving successful client employment outcomes. Visit our website ([link removed]) to find out more and to book your place!
“This is one of the best training courses I have attended on zoom. I would highly recommend this course. [The trainers] are excellent facilitators and explained everything really well [ensuring] that everyone was involved and engaged”. – Testimonial from a recent virtual course
Calls for evidence
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How does racism impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black and Asian LGBT+ people? We want to hear about your experiences and share your perspectives. Find out more ([link removed]) .

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We're researching the impact of Covid-19 on maternal mental health and perinatal mental health services. We are holding virtual evidence giving events on 4 and 6 November. Find out more ([link removed]) .

Blogs
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Black mental health and self-care in a time of crisis ([link removed])
As Black History Month draws to a close, Kadra shares how she's been prioritising her wellbeing while navigating conversations that can bring up trauma and distress

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Advancing mental health equalities: no time to wait ([link removed])
Andy unpacks NHS England's new strategy, with a reminder that tackling wider determinants will be critical to its overall success

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Nerves of steel? Opening up about mental illness in sport ([link removed])
Anastasia shares her personal perspective of how sport can be a high-risk environment for mental illness

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Hidden suffering: moral injury and mental health among Armed Forces veterans ([link removed])
Andy shares findings from new research into moral injury its impact on veterans and their mental health

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Public mental health, leadership and change ([link removed])
What do the plans to disband Public Health England mean for mental health? Louis explores the concerns that need addressing and the opportunities that must be grasped

News
* Mental health support for children and young people must be rapidly expanded to meet growing levels of need ([link removed])
* Mental health care works less well for communities with greatest needs, says briefing ([link removed])
* Government’s plans to build 40 new hospitals leaves mental health out in the cold ([link removed])

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We hope you've enjoyed hearing about our work bringing equality for mental health closer.

We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for this newsletter and our digital presence - drop me an email at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected] )
.

Best wishes,

Alethea Joshi
Digital & Communications Lead
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