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 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 on Black mental health and self-care in a time of crisis. We’re also delighted to have published the second piece 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
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?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 and if you missed his first piece you can catch up here.
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.
This third briefing from the Commission for Equality in Mental Health 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.
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.
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.
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 to find out more training dates.
“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
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.
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.
Blogs
Black mental health and self-care in a time of crisis 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
Public mental health, leadership and change 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
