The Experiences of Antipsychotic Medication Survey is now open to all NZ adults over 18 who are living in the community, including people with Compulsory Treatment Orders.
Find out more at http://www.teamstudy.co.nz
Everything you need to take part is available on the website.
Please share this invitation to take part with your networks.
Contact:
Miriam Larsen-Barr
Ph: 09 373 7599 ext 86890
Email: mbar114@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Here are some highlights from Engage Aotearoa’s Facebook page:
Advice From Our Tribe: What positives/lessons can you draw from your mental health experiences?
Helplines to merge into single service – National – NZ Herald News
Anti-gambling body to get chop – National – NZ Herald News
Bipolar lives in their own write – Bay of Plenty Times News
Interview with Will Hall: Recovering from Madness
CASPER Position Statement on Psychiatry & Psychiatric Drugs: Suicide prevention and support
The secret to desire in a long-term relationship: TEDx
Families demand scrapping of legal-high laws – National – NZ Herald News
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The following is a press release from Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau
Wednesday 12 March 2014
“Kids have a knack of saying things plain and simple” said Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and Tai Tokerau MP, following the lunch he hosted at Parliament today for 50 students from Naenae College who help run the school’s KickStart breakfast club.
“When asked why they support MANA’s Feed the Kids Bill they said they hate seeing kids having to scab food off other kids, and they’re embarrassed to have to hide their own lunches from their class mates.”
“And then they asked “Why can’t John Key make a smart decision and just Feed the Kids?”
“I was glad I was able to personally acknowledge the Naenae College seniors for fronting their breakfast club” said Harawira, “but the school’s guidance counsellor tells me it’s a real struggle organising volunteers, raising funds, and getting businesses to sponsor the extra kai.”
In question time today, which the College students observed, Mr Harawira pointed out that the government-assisted KickStart and KidsCan programmes feed about 20,000 students a day “which means that 80,000 are still going hungry … every day.”
“Even the kids are telling us that more needs to be done” said Harawira, “but government just point-blank refuses to step in.”
“In fact, Bill English thinks that hungry kids can learn just fine!”
“Honestly, it’s bloody frustrating when those who lead the country can be so dumb.”
MANA’s Feed the Kids Bill, which aims to introduce government-funded breakfast and lunch programmes for all students in decile 1-2 schools, is expected to be up for first reading in the coming months.
For further information from MANA, please contact Jevan Goulter, (022) 088-5646.
An online resource from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London aims to improve treatment for people who identify as non-cis or gender-queer. “Gender variance is not uncommon…A survey of 10,000 people undertaken in 2012 by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that 1% of the population was gender variant to some extent – though this figure cannot be assumed to be representative of the whole population…People often find it difficult to confide their feelings … to their GP because they fear ridicule, guilt or shame, or are concerned about delays in getting treatment… It is estimated that up to 40% of people with gender dysphoria may not be receiving appropriate help.”
The best practice guidelines are endorsed by 13 separate organisations and have been drawn up by a working group that included representatives from psychiatry, endocrinology, gynaecology, urology, general practice, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy and speech and language therapy, as well as representation from patient groups. It is the first time that so many different groups have come together to agree a common set of guidelines.
Click Here to Download the Full Resource
Thanks to the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership for sharing this information.
The United Nations World Happiness Report 2013 was released in September last year. The report calls on global policy makers to prioritise happiness as a key measure and target of development.
In Chapter 3, Mental Illness and Unhappiness, authors Richard Layard, Dan Chisholm, Vikram Patel and Shekhar Saxena, write: “For policy makers, the key issue is what affects happiness. Some studies show mental health to be the single most important determinant of whether a person is happy or not. Yet, even in rich countries, less than a third of mentally ill people are in treatment. Good, cost-effective treatments exist for depression, anxiety disorders and psychosis, and the happiness of the world would be greatly increased if they were more widely available.”
The Report shows the major beneficial side-effects of happiness. Happy people live longer, are more productive, earn more, and are also better citizens. Well-being should be developed both for its own sake and for its side-effects.
Read the full report here: http://www.globalmentalhealth.org/sites/default/files/WorldHappinessReport2013_online.pdf
Thanks to the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership for sharing this information.
In late 2013, the Centre for Mental Health in London released a briefing report on how to implement peer support services. The authors write: “Our experience has led us to the conclusion that the widespread introduction of people with lived experience of mental health problems into the mental health workforce is probably the single most important factor contributing to changes towards more recovery-oriented services.” Gilfoyle, S., Gillard, S., Perkins, R., & Rennison, J. (2013, October 29). London: Centre for Mental Health.
The report outlines four phases in the implementation of peer support services: 1. Preparation of the organisation as a whole, 2. Recruitment, 3. Safe and effective employment of peer workers in mental health organisations, and 4. Ongoing development.
Read the full report online here:
Thanks to the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership for sharing this information.
What: A free webinar titled The Road to Recovery: The value of MHCC’s Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support in strengthening your organization’s policies, programs and practices. (ENGLISH ONLY)
When: Thursday, March 20, 2014 5:00 am, New Zealand Daylight Time
Duration: One hour
Peer support is an important factor in the process of recovery. People who have experience with mental health problems or illness can offer support and encouragement to each other when facing similar situations. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) recently released Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support to outline the important aspects of formalized or intentional peer support. The guidelines focus on the empathetic and supportive role of a peer support worker in fostering hope, empowerment and recovery.
Join the free webinar on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, to learn how you can use these Guidelines to bring the power of formalized peer support to your organization or community.
Guest Speakers:
For more information go to the MHCC website.
Or contact:
Liz Wigfull, Knowledge Broker
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Office: 1-613-683-3744
Cell: 1-613-857-4890
Email: lwigfull@mentalhealthcommission.ca
