NSUN Bulletin 27th Feb 2017
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NSUN news BlogsThe expert strikes back - Stephanie de la Haye explains why she is resigning as one of CQC's Experts by Experience. Published paperTrauma-informed mental healthcare in the UK: what is it and how can we further its development? Support NSUN as you shop onlineWe are a registered cause on the Giving Machine site. This means people can choose to raise money for us when they shop online. Simply click on the NSUN page then click the Join and Support this cause button. Donating this way does not increase the cost of your shopping. Call for blogging contributorsShare experiences, suggestions and opinions with e-bulletin readers, website visitors and social media friends. To get an idea of the variety of topics and points of view, please visit our blogs section. To send a blog, please email the editor. NSUN comments on Theresa May's mental health speechPromises, promises...in a toxic context Read the full article here. We are calling on Theresa May to fund much needed change in mental health Download the full letter from the National Voices website. Get introduced to NSUN in 3 MinutesThe 3 minutes video is here. Survivor Researcher Network newsThe Survivor Researcher Network (SRN), hosted by NSUN, is a network set up to support people with lived experience of mental distress with an interest in research. We produce a 6-weekly SRN bulletin. If you would like to subscribe to the SRN news then please contact Emma Ormerod. Visit the SRN page for more information. Important: non NSUN materials in the e-bulletinBelow NSUN news, features concern events, job opportunities, research, groups, etc, which are not ran by us, unless clearly stated. Details are sent to us by contacts who wish to spread word about their activities. Whenever possible we try to share materials which reflect the diversity (geographical and other) of an entire national network. We welcome suggestions and features by you, please email the editor and the general info mailbox. Please remember that sharing is not endorsing. 
NSUN member on stage 'with added nuts'Sean Burn is on stage in Camden on 18 March, 7.15pm | 14+ Sean says: 'with added nuts' is a witty exploration of the language of sanism Take a look at the trailer and booking page here 
New painting and drawing group offers free placesThe Life House, based in Grasmere Terrace, Columbia, Washington, NE38 7LP (mailing address Washington, Tyne and Wear NE38 7HS) is about to open its new painting and drawing group to participants. There are still free places available. If you're interested in joining, please contact Life House: Tel: 0191 417 8043 / Email. 
Happy Heads event - CroydonFREE 'Happy Heads' event to celebrate mental health. Date: Saturday 13 May 2017 
‘HOAX Our Right to Hope’Following a sellout run in Manchester in 2014, the musical and graphic novel, along with a brand new narrative app, return to audiences across five venues in Barnsley, York, Grimsby, Liverpool and Salford in Spring 2017. HOAX Our Right to Hope 2017, immerses audiences in the true story of Rob, his life and death after living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and enables them to explore recovery. HOAX tells Rob’s story across three narratives, written by multi-award-winning Ravi Thornton, each created as standalone pieces that have been brought together for this trilogy: Touring from 12th April - 1st May. Find our more and book tickets here. 
Greater Manchester communities in practicePeer support community of practice Supporting self-management community of practice Joint peer support and supporting self-management community of practice If you have questions or would like to register for any of these events, please get in touch with Emma Baylin. 
Training session: My story. Your story. Whose story?Creating and supporting effective testimonies in peer support workWednesday, March 22, 2017 from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Cardboard Citizens, 77A Greenfield Road, London E1 1EJ Organised by the London Hearing Voices Network, this training will look at how we can support ourselves and others to create authentic testimonies in mental health settings. The session will be particularly useful for people who are:
For more information and booking please visit the dedicated eventbrite page 
Book: Heartbeats of Hope, emotional recovery from traumaDaniel B. Fisher,MD,PhD obtained a PhD in biochemistry at U. of Wisconsin, to discover the so-called "chemical basis" of mental health conditions. While carrying out neurochemical research at NIMH, Dan was diagnosed with "schizophrenia." He recovered, and decided to work towards humanizsing the mental health system. Daniel Fisher founded the National Empowerment Centre. This is how Dan Fisher describes his new book: 'the Book starts with three chapters of my recovery from schizophrenia, then gives tips for recovery with an emphasis on hope, a new paradigm for recovery through empowerment;the importance of finding our Voice as an expression of our deepest self; a summary of a new that anyone can help another person through emotional distress called emotional CPR; presents a new way to assist persons clinically called Dialogical Recovery which is a combination of the principles of recovery and Open Dialogue approach from Finland.' You can listen to Dan Fisher's keynote address, "Heartbeats of Hope" to the Asia Pacific Conference, Brisbane, Australia, October 25, 2016 
Influence NHS mental health staffingThe National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH) has been commissioned by NHS England to produce guidance and recommendations on NHS staffing. The programme aims to support NHS leaders and commissioners to plan staffing in NHS mental health services, in order to maximise patient recovery and health. The Effective, Safe, Compassionate and Sustainable Staffing (ESCASS) programme is now underway. It is anticipated that the guidance is completed by the end of 2017. This involves developing and producing two separate guides: a guide to staffing in adult and older adult mental health services and a separate guide to staffing in children and young people’s mental health services. To support this work, NCCMH is recruiting 3 voluntary positions:
To know more about these roles, please visit the recruitment page 
In the newsSeveral news outlets, both in the UK and abroad, shared findings which 'reveal' there is 'no link between cats and mental health problems'...does this remind anyone of old prejudices linking cats and witchcraft? Actually these new findings seem to refute other accepted ideas. Teenager from Cornwall faces Scotland or Ireland trip for mental health treatment. This comes weeks after the prime minister pledged to stop young people being sent out of their local area for treatment by 2021. The York Press reports on investment into mental health services in York and Selby. In Barking and Dagenham, students are taught to be open about mental health. In Gloucester, the Rugby Community team have partnered with Public Health Gloucestershire to become Mental Health First Aiders One in five women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or after birth say Channel 4 (video). The Guardian also highlights concerns for new mothers as report shows only 7% of women with pregnancy-related mental health problems get the specialist care they need, and a more holistic approach would help. Men's online magazine the Lad's Bible focuses on PTSD 'a growing concern in the armed forces'. Meanwhile, the rising rate in disabled people's employment seems nothing to be celebrated as the fact is to be placed in an extremely worrying context: sanctions, cuts and death after 'fit to work' tests. People with invisible disabilities face a daily dilemma of whether to conceal or reveal their conditions to colleagues. 
Join the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)The Secretary of State for Transport is seeking new members of DPTAC. DPTAC has been the Government’s statutory advisor on the transport needs of disabled people since 1986. We are seeking new members of DPTAC who have a good, practical, knowledge of transport issues nationally and of additional needs of disabled passengers and road users. Ideally new members will have an awareness of the needs of people with mental health or cognitive impairments or, a good understanding of new technology and transport, or of the built environment. DPTAC members need to be good communicators with effective, constructive, influencing skills. Appointment are for up to 3 years and a fee is payable. Further details are set out in the application pack, which can be downloaded from the Public Appointments web site. Further information is available from: dptacrecruitment@dft.gsi.gov.uk Final applications must be submitted by Sunday 19 March Interviews will be held during the first two weeks of May at the London offices of the Department for Transport. Please note that at least 50% of DPTAC members must be disabled. The Department for Transport welcomes applications from candidates regardless of their ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, sexuality, disability, marital status, age, race, and employment status. 
NICE introduces new quality standardNICE has a new New National Quality Standard for Learning disabilities: identifying and managing mental health problems quality standard (QS142) January 2017 
Joint parliamentary committee examines mental health and deaths in prisonThe Joint Committee on Human Rights has held its first evidence session as part of its inquiry into mental health and deaths in prisons. Jeremy Hunt wanted a ‘home-grown’ NHS – now EU-born doctors are thinking of leavingA British Medical Association (BMA) survey finds 42 per cent of doctors from the European Union are thinking of quitting the UK following the EU referendum, and an additional 23 per cent unsure they will stay. Hospitals: safety vs qualityThis article reflects on research by the BBC which found that 137 of the 152 hospital trusts in England had more than the recommended number of beds occupied between 1 December 2016 and 22 January 2017. Mental Health: Travelling abroadThis leaflet aims to give information about how the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) can assist British nationals experiencing difficulties abroad, focusing on information on mental health. The leaflet explains some of the differences between English law and practice and that of other countries. This may be useful to your friends and family members too. Download here. Previously shared information available onlinePlease visit our website to find members projects, involvement opportunities, jobs and events we shared in previous e-bulletins. This includes our guides to support involvement in reducing the use of restraint in mental health settings. 
#NSUNthrive campaignIt is 10 years since the 'Doing it for ourselves’ service user conference in Birmingham. It was at this conference in 2006 that the vision of the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) was taken forward, leading to funding in 2007 and becoming a fully independent organisation in May 2010. FREE 'Happy Heads' event to celebrate mental health. Date: Saturday 13 May 2017 from |
