HELP NEEDED THIS WEEKEND I need the following text translated into YOUR language asap! If you are one of the regular readers of this blog, please email me with a translation of the following, all in lower case.
This information comes straight from the World Health Organisation's website. To me it seems to be very much from the traditional biomedical approach towards mental health, as it focuses on symptoms and disease and viewing them them as being disorders or not normal.
Anyway, what do you think?
Q: What are the early signs of mental disorders?
A: A mental or behavioural disorder is characterized by a disturbance in thinking, mood, or behaviour, which is out of keeping with cultural beliefs and norms. In most cases the symptoms are associated with distress and interference with personal functions.
Mental disorders produce symptoms that sufferers or those close to them notice. These may include:
physical symptoms (e.g. aches and sleep disturbance)
emotional symptoms (e.g. feeling sad, scared, or anxious)
This week the Kings Fund published its report on health inequalities citing what we probably knew in our heart-of-hearts: the poorer you are, the worse your life expectancy: the wealthier you are, the more likely you are to have followed government advice on reducing dangerous lifestyles - thus you’ll live longer. So this isn’t wind-surfing and abseiling we’re talking about, but what you eat, drink and puff on - and if you spend your days sat on the sofa soaking up daytime TV and playing on the computer. It seems that the public health messages have been driven home successfully to those already interested in their health, but people who are disengaged for whatever reason (poverty?) will statistically die earlier.
Over this same period, we’ve had two rather tragic legal cases being played out in the media: that of Tony Nicklinson who wanted to choose how and when he died, and more importantly, he fought for the legal right to end his life and make any doctor that helped him be immune from prosecution. The other story is that of the anonymous Mr L from Greater Manchester who reportedly is in a persistent vegetative state following a series of heart attacks, and is being cared for by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust who feel that it’s in his best interest not to be resuscitated, if he succumbs to infection, further heart attack or stroke. However, his family want to prolong his life, whatever the quality, for as long as possible. What a terrible situation. These painful cases illustrate the need to discuss the manner in which we die, much earlier in our lives and as a society, we seem loath to ever discuss the manner of our deaths, until we are in a terminal health crisis. Even sadder, is that following the High Court’s rejection of Tony Nicklinson’s case, he gave up his fight and succumbed to pneumonia.
It seems a whole-life approach to talking about death and dying could be easily achieved through the introduction of something very similar to a Birth Plan, which expectant mothers routinely develop with their partner and midwives. Wouldn’t something similar in the manner of an Advanced Directive, be a simple and useful resource to develop? Could Health Visitor’s and Palliative Care Nurse’s be a more visible part of this conversation, earlier in our lives?
Admittedly, this doesn’t take into account the political and social ramifications of assisted dying, voluntary euthanasia, or more generally our right to die in a manner and at a time of our choosing, but nevertheless it introduces and normalises conversations about life and death - something to which we seem culturally divorced from.
I’m pleased to say I’ll be working with a new Arts for Health intern for 12 months alongside MA Contemporary Curating, and we’ll be exploring some of these very issues: issues which I began to discuss in relation to culture and the arts last year, in my opening paper; Towards Sentience, at the 4th International Arts and Health Conference at the National Gallery of Australia. We’ll be holding an exhibition here at The Holden Gallery in July 2013, which will be accompanied by a series of events and discussions, and is being developed under the working title of ‘Imagining Death’.
Inequalities & death - blimey, seems insurmountable doesn’t it? Well, death certainly is, but inequalities, quality of life and the manner in which we die are something we can most definitely have some control over. Whilst we struggle blindly to make sense of seemingly immovable inequalities, we miss their connection to poverty of aspiration and wide-spread disillusionment at politics; we miss the connection to apathy and blind acceptance of inequalities. The Bank of England’s Quantitative Easing has helped the wealthier citizens of the UK markedly, but has been invisible to the majority of us - unacceptable. Poorer people die earlier than wealthier people? Sorry - this is outrageous.
Quantitative Easing is having limited impact on the austerity we’re all facing, the Kings Fund have illustrated the failure of policy to impact on the poorest in the UK, our high streets are increasingly boarded-up; grocers, bakers and butchers being replaced by fast-food outlets, betting shops, coffee chains and mobile-phone and charity shops. The banks and building societies seem to be surviving, albeit in a fortified manner, but other than the proliferation of increasing necessary charity shops, our high streets represent something of the 21st century drug peddler. There’s no shortage of plasma screens for our telephone-based talent shows; computer games to feed our short attention span; alcopops, caffeine and fried gizzards. All you can eat for £2.99 - not bad eh? Short cut to a state sponsored short life...
I worry that some of the blindingly superb work of arts/health practitioners/projects, whilst cushioning and supporting marginalised and displaced individuals, frequently fails to engage the very same people - often miraculously turned around, in engagement with the political process. What we do so unequivocally, is enable people to grow and thrive - give people a voice - but doesn’t this singular voice need to be connected to that of others? If we are meaningfully lifting people from isolation, depression or giving voice to people affected by homelessness - what next: just put them right back into a system that feeds on such divisions? How can we connect our practice and facilitate real change? Well for a start, we can acknowledge that both our health and wellbeing, and the arts, are political.
So, as an antidote to all this, and with our home-spun Olympian NHS Saviour in mind, Danny Boyle, lets remind ourselves of his interpretation of the Irvine Welsh novel Trainspotting. The following brief extract from the film, offers something of a poem to our consumer addiction. Be warned though, it is peppered with expletives that are appropriate, but that might offend. Text below and video, by clicking on the film.
Choose Life.
Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourself.
Choose your future.
Choose life... John Hodge/Irvine Welsh
Volunteering in the Arts Toolkit Launch
You are invited to the launch of the Volunteering in the Arts Toolkit September 10th at the GMCVO centre, Ardwick Green, Manchester. Full details, including how to book can be found by clicking on the ice-cream van.
We have been working with Arts Council England and Volunteering England on the production of the Toolkit. It developed as a result of an audit of Arts Council funded organisations s who currently work with volunteers. The toolkit is aimed at professional arts organisations to support them in the recruitment, management and retention of volunteers with the aim of improving the volunteer experience for both host organisation and volunteer. This really useful resource comes with case studies, guides and a whole range of relevant information including health and safety, safeguarding, working with volunteers on benefits and advice on how to avoid using volunteers as substitutes for paid workers. The toolkit is free and will be downloadable from the Voluntary Arts website.
The State of Arts and Health in England and Further Afield...
In 2009 and alongside colleagues from the field, I contributed to the introductory essay, the State of Arts and Health in England, to Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice. Since this paper was written the face of arts/health practice and research has evolved at a fast pace. Taking into account the political landscape of the UK and the ongoing changes within the public sector, I am working with colleagues in Europe to better understand the changing field, and am revisiting this paper. I am particularly keen to hear from you in relation to mapping and research undertaken between 2009 and 2012 and am also keen to hear from international research projects. Please email me directly at artsforhealth@mmu.ac.uk
Networking Event
BANG...out of the blue, a brand new one-off event. No agenda. No guest speaker. Just us having the opportunity to chew the fat, and perhaps hatch some plans! Thursday 27th September 6:00 - 8:00PM. So email artsforhealth@mmu.ac.uk if you want to come along, and the venue at MMU will be emailed to you the week before.
As a charity fundraiser, when a colleague is leaving, or just to cheer everyone up, my PAVO colleague Claire is always there with the most de-licious cakes. All baked and decorated by herself!
Here are some raspberry cheese cupcakes she made lately, just to make you feel a little bit hungry...
Claire told me - "baking is a real stress reliever for me, I find it really therapeutic, and rewarding. I love finding and trying new recipes or making a special cake for someone. I'm not that fussed about eating it (honest!), but I do get a huge sense of satisfaction when others enjoy the results!"
And it was Claire who put me on to a blog by another amazing baker - Anneliese Giggins. Anneliese took on the enormous challenge of baking all of the 218 recipes in famous cook Mary Berry's "Baking Bible." And by doing so she helped fight off the "baby blues," the social isolation and lack of confidence she experienced after leaving a fulfilling job to become a full-time Mum. You can read more about her story in a newspaper article here. Don't forgot too to check out her blog for more on her story of "baking away the blues" - risingtotheberry.blogspot.co.uk
I'm not sure how many cakes Claire has baked in total, but just to whet your appetite, here's a picture of another of her amazing creations. In my view, it's more than just a cake, it's a work of art!
Have you ever been in a situation where one alcoholic drink led to another and before you knew it, you had one too many drinks?
Whether it’s at college parties, summer cookouts, or tailgating at sports events, millions of Americans have experienced what it is like to binge drink and some do so regularly. Recent studies show that 1 in 6 Americans binge drink at least 4 times a month with an average of 8 drinks each time they binge drink.
Have you ever wondered if this is harmful and what to do to prevent drinking too much? Here are some commonly asked questions about binge drinking.
What is the definition of binge drinking?
Binge drinking is drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women in one sitting.
What are the consequences?
There are over fifty different injuries and diseases associated with heavy alcohol use and binge drinking. Some of these include car accidents, violence, arrests, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and suicide.
Heavy alcohol use causes 80,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, and binge drinking accounts for more than half of these deaths.
Binge drinking increases your chances of developing a full-blown alcohol addiction.
Why do people binge drink?
Some people may not be aware of the safe limits for drinking.
People often feel social pressure from friends and peers to drink. For example, while tailgating at a football game or attending college social events, you may feel pressure to binge drink because everyone else is drinking a lot, and people are offering you too much to drink.
Most binge drinkers are not alcoholics and are able to go many days without having a drink. Because of this, they may feel their alcohol use is not a problem and may not be aware of the serious consequences of binge drinking.
BUT binge drinking may be part of an alcohol addiction problem.
What are some strategies to avoid binge drinking?
Stay within safe limits: For men, this means no more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 in a week. For women, this means no more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 in a week.
Keep track of the number of drinks you have: Take mental note or write it down. One drink is the same as 12 ounces of beer or 5 ounces of table wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
Pace yourself: Try to have less than 1 drink per hour.
Alternate with non-alcoholic beverages such as water or soda.
Avoid drinking contests and drinking games.
Find someone who you can trust and who can offer some support to help limit the amount you drink.
Know that it is perfectly acceptable to politely refuse a drink when you have had enough.
When to get help from a health professional?
It can be difficult to tell when binge drinking will become or is already part of a more serious alcohol addiction such as alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence. If you are unsure about your alcohol use pattern or want to reduce your drinking, you should talk to your doctor or other health professional for more information and guidance to cut down. In the meantime, try some of these tips at your next get-together or sports event.
This Blog aims to capture the multidimensional aspects of health: biological, psychological, sociological, technological and economic perspectives. It challenges the traditional biomedical model by appointing Dr Engel's influential biopsychosocial model.
Research manager Richard Kunzman tells the story behind Insight Research Group's survey into 'Austerity Britain' through the eyes of 300 GPs:
The last four years have been tough for everyone. Although we assumed that increased workloads and financial worries had affected the nation’s health to a certain extent, we wanted to hear from GPs about what they believed was happening on the ground based on their daily experiences in their practices.
The results are particularly insightful and show the extent to which the economy is not only affecting the average person on the street but also the GPs that treat them.
The GPs we surveyed felt that worries over financial security coupled with many people working longer hours have raised our stress levels. This has not only led to an increase in various mental health disorders but has also influenced other aspects of our life and wellbeing – from family planning through to levels of exercise.
The middle class has been especially affected by the turbulence of the economic recession – amongst all of the conditions that were investigated, GPs routinely associated the increases they’ve seen with middle Britain. But these pressures are not limited to one demographic either – married women and single women were both as likely to request a termination due to financial concerns.
It’s a particularly tough challenge for time-poor GPs who are faced with many patients who just need someone to talk to. Their only real option in the immediate term is to prescribe medication, which of course is rarely the solution.
Here are the top findings according to Insight Research Group’s survey of 300 UK GPs:
• 76% said they believed the economic climate of the last four years has had a negative impact on their patient’s health
• 77% felt there had been an increase in new cases (since 2008) of mental health disorders linked to the stresses of the economic climate. Of those 231 UK GPs: o 46% thought the greatest increase was in depression o 54% felt the greatest increase was in anxiety disorders o 83% said mental health conditions have had an impact on their practice
• 64% felt patients are drinking more alcohol
• 77% said they believed more of their patients are working longer hours due to concerns about job security
• 62% felt they had seen an increase in the number of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) applications for patients who appear to be more in financial distress than in genuine need of support as a result of their health condition
• 38% believed more of their patients who are smokers are quitting or reducing the number of cigarettes they smoke to save money.
• 60% felt that more patients are cancelling sporting activities (gym memberships etc) to save money
• 34% believed there had been an increase in patients putting off starting a family until their financial security improves
• 17% felt there had been an increase in patients specifically requesting terminations of pregnancies due to concerns about financial security
Whose health has been worst affected in the recession? • The greatest increase in new cases of mental health disorders as a result of the economic downturn is believed to be amongst those aged between 36 to 45 (49%), and those who have kids and are married or living with their partner (58%) • When it comes to gender breakdown, GPs believed there to be higher increases of depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse amongst men • The only condition where GPs felt women experienced the greatest increase in new cases since the 2008 recession is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (66% versus 19% in men)
The survey gathered the opinions of 300 GPs from across the UK about how Britain’s health has been affected by the turbulent economy since 2008 based on their experiences with patients. In addition, the research included over 40 in-depth qualitative interviews undertaken through Insight’s online GP community, e-Village. To differentiate between general health trends and specifically the impact of the economic recession, GPs were asked to only consider those instances where patients linked their behaviours and/or conditions with financial hardship or concerns about job security during their health visit.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal, Suicides associated with the 2008-10 economic recession in England: time trend analysis, has found that a painful double-dip recession, rising unemployment and biting austerity measures may have already driven more than 1,000 people in the UK to commit suicide in the past two years.
Study lead David Stuckler from Cambridge University explained: "Much of men's identity and sense of purpose is tied up with having a job. It brings income, status and importance. There's also a pattern in the UK where men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women, while women are much more likely to report being depressed and seek help."
The analysis found that between 2008 and 2010 there were 846 more suicides among men in England than would have been expected if previous trends continued, and 155 more among women.
Between 2000 and 2010 each annual 10 percent increase in the number of unemployed people was associated with a 1.4 percent increase in the number of male suicides, the study found.
These findings suggest that about two fifths of the recent increase in suicides among men (increase of 329 suicides, 126 to 532) during the 2008-10 recession can be attributed to rising unemployment.
The study provides evidence linking the recent increase in suicides in England with the financial crisis that began in 2008. English regions with the largest rises in unemployment have had the largest increases in suicides, particularly among men.
Earlier this month data from the government's Health and Social Care Information Centre showed the number of prescriptions dispensed in England for antidepressants rose 9.1 percent in 2010.
A study published last July, also by Stuckler, found that across Europe, suicide rates rose sharply from 2007 to 2009 as the financial crisis drove unemployment up and squeezed incomes.
Some of you may have seen Eleanor Longden give an inspiring presentation at our Making A Difference conference in Newtown back in May. Earlier in the year Eleanor was invited to present a short, 6 min talk at TEDxLondon on voice hearing - it's now online here. She needs people to consider rating it and leaving some feedback. Talks with the highest ratings will be invited to give extended presentations at TED 2013 in California, so this would be a great opportunity for spreading the word. At 17, Eleanor Longden had a promising future ahead of her; then she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After a lifelong battle with the voices in her head, today she has a Masters in psychology and a second chance.
So, two years each in prison for three women who expressed their opinion of the state through peaceful protest. Looks like impotent leadership in the face of inevitable global change to me. When French author, Victor Hugo said that "music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent", I’m pretty sure, he couldn’t have imagined Pussy Riot - but with Les Misérables in mind, I can’t help thinking he would perhaps be a more effective vocal supporter, than Messrs. McCartney et Madonna. Surely its becoming more difficult for dubiously ‘elected’ leaders to quash the voices of the people? Then again, millions across the world took to the streets to oppose the attack on Iraq; and I’m still confused as to how the Coalition Government came into being!
'The NHS belongs to the people'
NHS Constitution
Whilst our the Olympic Games have been and gone, the flame blown out (remember that stirring in your loins, but get ready for the bill) and we’ve had the thrill of the opening corporate celebration of our floundering NHS, (and the gibberish of the closing ceremony - what a platform for Pussy Riot this could have been): what about the Paralympic Games which start on the 29th? I sincerely hope that this won’t be an after-shock, without all the razzmatazz of the ‘main-event’. I wonder too, what mischief our elected and non-elected miscreants will have been up to, whilst our eye’s have been off (or rather on) the ball? So whilst we’re feeling pumped up and patriotic, lets not forget our dear old NHS and that by April 2013, it will have undergone some quite radical changes.
'Healthwatch England will act as a champion for those who sometimes struggle to be heard'
Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch
The new NHS Commissioning Board Special Health Authority (NHS CBA), will be playing a ‘key role in the Government’s vision to modernise the health service and secure the best possible outcomes for patients. Its role is to make all the necessary preparations for the successful establishment of the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) in October 2012 before it takes on full statutory responsibilities in April 2013.’ We will shortly be seeing a flurry of activity around Health and Wellbeing Boards, Clinical Commissioning Groups and the emergence of Healthwatch, which takes over the role of independent ‘consumer champion’ for us, the public. I’d suggest that our arts/health agenda should engage at the highest level with all these groups, and of course, locally. If Healthwatch is to make sure that the views of the public and people who use services are taken into account, I can think of a variety of ways that culture and the arts will be essential to their work - and if they genuinely want to work with people who don’t have a voice and are marginalised, this is an opportunity for the arts to facilitate dialogue.
On 19 July 2012, champion of arts and health, Lord Howarth of Newport again raised a question about our work in the House of Lords, questioning the Government Minister Earl Howe about how we encourage commissioners to invest resources in the arts as a means of improving health. Here are the question and response.
Lord Howarth of Newport: My Lords, as Ministers review the skills needs of the health service, will they take into account the significant contribution that can be made in healthcare settings to recovery and well-being by the arts-music, poetry and reading aloud, for example? Will they signal to healthcare professionals and commissioning bodies that it is legitimate to invest certain resources in the arts and, of course, design in order to promote good health?
Earl Howe:One of the features of the reforms that we have enacted is the ability for allied health professionals, including those mentioned by the noble Lord, to have a say in the planning of services at a local level-health and well-being boards. The value of those activities, rightly emphasised by the noble Lord, will I hope in time be more greatly appreciated as the outcomes framework takes effect, and the patient experience of care becomes more prominent in the way that we assess services.
We should be very aware of the efforts Alan Howarth puts into this agenda, and he has my debt of gratitude for his consistent efforts and enthusiasm. He was in fact, an early respondent to manifesto part one. Here is a reminder of his position.
‘What is at issue is the right each one of us has to be human. To be human is to identify and liberate our own authentic and best nature. That quest will sometimes be private and sometimes be communal, and in the end the one merges into the other as we make the world we inhabit a better place. Trust, arduousness, risk, self-expression, shared work are means of moving towards individual and collective integrity. Teaching and companionship sustain us; orthodoxy and exploitation blight us.
Politics should be predicated on these values.’
I was thrilled to listen to the soundcloud of A.L Kennedy’s wonderful lecture at the launch of the London Creativity and Wellbeing Week at TATE Modern. This is excellent and is well worth taking the time to listen to. Grab a coffee, unplug the phone, click on the image below and take an hour out.
With Kennedy, Lord Howarth and the muted voices of Pussy Riot in mind, Victor Hugo again reminds me that we are part of something bigger and regardless of individual politics, and peoples determination to suppress voices that they might not like to hear - you can’t resist an idea who’s time has come. On résiste à l'invasion des armées; on ne résiste pas à l'invasion des idées.
THREE NEW FUNDING STREAMS...
OK, so we know they’re bankers, but...
Lloyds TSB Foundation: Programme to Support Older People (England & Wales) The Lloyds TSB has announced a new £2 million funding programme to support projects aimed at improving the lives of older people living in difficult financial circumstances in England and Wales. The funding is open to all registered charities that are currently working with older people particularly those living in financial difficulties; that can demonstrate a track record and knowledge of working with this group of people; and are particularly interested in innovative work and proactive interventions that encourage and support individual empowerment and independence. The minimum grant that eligible organisations can apply for is £50,000 and grants will be available for up to a period of three years. The closing date for submissions is 5pm on the 20th September 2012. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/d7xvyax
Funding to Tackle Stigma & Discrimination Facing People with Mental Illness (England) Time to Change, a new campaign to end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems, has announced its second funding round. Time to Change will provide grants for projects which will change public attitudes and behaviour towards mental health problems. The grants fund will distribute £2.7 million to approximately 75 community projects across England from May 2012-March 2015. All applications should evidence how people with personal experience of mental health problems will be involved in shaping, delivering and managing the project. The grants available range from £10,000 through its small grants programme, to up to £100,000 through the Flagship grants programme. The closing date for applications is 2pm on the 21st September 2012. Read more at: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/grants
The LankellyChase Foundation has announced the launch of its new grants programme. The LankellyChase Foundation works to bring about change that will transform the quality of life of people who face severe and multiple disadvantages. Through its new grants programme the Foundation wants to form a funded network of 15 to 20 organisations who are working to transform the lives of people who face severe and multiple disadvantages. Read more at: www.lankellychase.org.uk/accessing_funding/funding_opportunities.
Deadline: 14 September 2012 Thank you for following this blog...C.P.
My colleague Freda Lacey, who is the Development & Participation Worker in the team, recently attended a networking event run by Participation Cymru to talk about engagement and mental health. She drew upon the team's recent experience planning and running an event called Making a Difference Together, which was held in Newtown on 16 May 2012. You can find out more about the actual event here on our website. At the networking event Freda spoke for about 30 minutes on the innovative approach taken by the team to engage with people who experience mental distress. She particularly highlighted the importance of taking risks - and "thinking outside the box" - when planning events so that people can really let their voice be heard. You can listen to a recording of her presentation, and see her slides here, on the Participation Cymru website. The conference Freda describes was one of three events held throughout Wales and supported by the Stronger in Partnership network and NLIAH (National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare). Individuals had the opportunity to talk to representatives from social services, the police, Citizens Advice Bureau, psychiatric and psychology services and say exactly what they thought about the services provided. One of the people who attended wrote passionately about his experience of the day:
"I came home yesterday absolutely shattered but full of hope. I learnt more yesterday about Mental Health and indeed myself in what seemed like a few very short hours, than all of my ten years fighting the illness and the system.
I don't normally write letters of praise but you and your team have taken the system and given it a good old shake up and to give us "a voice" - fantastic!Until yesterday I thought I was a "Victim"..... I know the hard work that goes into an event such as this. What impressed me was the "looseformat". The fact that all of the Survivors, who like me struggle at social events, it is a great testament to you and your team that we were still there for the close of the event."
Anti-stigma campaign Time to Change has revealed the biggest clichés used when people try to talk about mental health issues.
'Pull yourself together' topped the cliché chart, commissioned by the programme run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, which explores unhelpful comments that people say are one of the hardest parts of the illness, and often worse than the symptoms themselves.
The poll also revealed that; ‘there are people out there much worse off than you’; and; ‘snap out of it’ were other expressions used frequently.
With results showing the continuing widespread myths that still surround mental health problems, Time to Change has launched a new viral film with tips on how to start a conversation about mental health. Sue Baker, director of Time to Change, said: "starting a conversation about mental health can sometimes feel daunting. Our aim is to take the awkwardness away from it and enable both people with a mental health problem and those without to talk about it openly and honestly."
“The more we’re all able to have a conversation about mental health, the more we will remove the stigma and discrimination that still affects so many of us living with a mental health problem.”
