Blogs
Read contributions of experiences and perspectives on the VCSE mental health sector, service delivery, mental health policy and other pertinent topics.
Guest Blog: The Mental Health and Smoking Partnership: Tackling Health Inequality
Dania Hanif
Published: February 6, 2018
-Hazel Cheeseman, Action on Smoking and Health There are many challenges in mental health services today but few feel more pressing than finding solutions to the stark difference in life expectancy between the users of these services and the population as a whole. In recent times there has been a growing movement to address the…
Read moreGuest Blog: Shared Ownership
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: November 22, 2017
– Julie Layton, Advance UK What is shared ownership? Advance was one of the first organisations in the UK to deliver shared ownership for customers with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. It is now one of the few remaining housing providers who still offer this form of housing. Since 1997 we’ve helped more than…
Read moreMental Health in the Workplace - WMHD
Dania Hanif
Published: October 10, 2017
Mental health conditions are extensive but often hidden, with one in four adults experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition in any one year representing the largest single cause of disability in the UK. It is a central public health issue, contributing to the wider health and social outcomes for both individuals and society. This World…
Read moreGuest Blog: Wellbeing Teams and Mental Health
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: August 3, 2017
– Helen Sanderson, Helen Sanderson Associates “What would Wellbeing Teams and self-management look like in mental health?” Carey Bamber, Policy Adviser and Member Support at The Association, asked me to think about this, and to share ideas through a webinar. A couple of months later we were sat together in my office managing technical challenges…
Read moreEncouraging Personalised Care and Support Planning in Mental Health Services
Edward Strudwick
Published: May 12, 2017
– Edward Strudwick, Operations Manager As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness week 2017 it is important to think about not only those who have a mental health condition but also those people and organisations who work hard, often without recognition, to support them. With two out of every three adults saying that…
Read moreGuest Blog: The true value of peer support
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: January 30, 2017
– Jess Worner, Together for Mental Wellbeing A study undertaken by national mental health charity Together for Mental Wellbeing has revealed that every pound spent on peer support yields a social return worth £4.94. Together’s Peer Support Practice Manager Jess Worner takes a closer look at the model behind these impressive stats. Social return on…
Read moreGuest Blog: Time to act for women's mental health
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: December 5, 2016
– Katharine Sacks-Jones, Director, Agenda Women in mental health services are often vulnerable. Struggling with mental health issues makes life harder for any of us. But in many cases women accessing psychological help have additional vulnerabilities. Research suggests that around half of women with mental health problems have experienced sexual or domestic violence. For women…
Read moreGuest Blog: How can social investment support mental health providers?
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: October 27, 2016
– Geetha Rabindrakumar, Head of Social Sector Engagement, Big Society Capital Services supporting people with mental health issues are needed more than ever, when 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 9 children in the UK have a mental health problem. Mental health issues are often compounded by related issues around homelessness, unemployment, poverty and…
Read morePsychological and Mental Health First Aid for All
Dania Hanif
Published: October 10, 2016
– Dania Hanif, Policy and Communications Officer Crisis events involving exposure to trauma and sudden loss occur in all communities of the world, whether it be a war in the Middle East, Hurricane Matthew in the Americas, refugee crises internationally, or incidents of domestic violence, bullying or vehicular accidents in a city neighbourhood. Those exposed…
Read moreThe vital role of the VCS in gender-specific mental health provision
Dania Hanif
Published: October 10, 2016
– Dania Hanif, Policy and Communications Officer Mental health problems are extensive but often hidden, with one in four adults experiencing a diagnosable mental health problem in any one year representing the largest single cause of disability in the UK. Women have higher rates of depression and are twice as likely to be diagnosed with…
Read moreThe importance of engagement with the voluntary sector
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: October 10, 2016
– Isabela Vrba Neves, Communications and Member Engagement Officer Mental Health has been getting a lot of attention lately in the UK, from the recent appointment of Barbara Keeley as Shadow Minister of Mental Health and Social Care, to Theresa May recognising, in her first speech as Prime Minister, the lack of mental health support…
Read moreGuest Blog: 'Time for a workforce revolution?'
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: February 4, 2016
– Brendan Hill, Chief Executive, Concern Group The third sector and its statutory colleagues share the same goal of aspiring to provide high-quality health and care services, at a time when demographics and finances alone provide significant challenge. There are a number of key agendas that affect us all:- A common goal of providing more holistic…
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