Spring..... Looking like Summer is coming..... Contents Dear Readers Let’s be honest. So far, 2013 has been a bit, well, rubbish! Winter seemed to go on forever, and unless you have been supremely lucky, you will probably have been struck down at least once with the sniffles - apparently, this year, although we managed to avoid the normal flu epidemic, we have been plagued with no fewer than 200 different strains of colds and coughs. And then, when we couldn’t feel any worse (!) the government brought in Welfare Reform. From April 2013, many of our Benefits were changed or scrapped. Many people with mental health problems will not be affected by the changes. We urge you to seek support when you need it and to arm yourselves with the facts. We have included a special 16 page spread on Welfare Reform in this newsletter (page 28). RE LFA RM E W FO
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On a more uplifting note, you have told us that you love the new, ‘improved’ Technicolor Newsletter. Please keep your feedback coming in. Congratulations to Adam who wins a £20 voucher for his feedback on the previous edition of “In Our Shoes”. Finally, a big Thank You to SLaM Charitable Trustees for continuing to help fund this Newsletter. Best Wishes, The Hear Us Team 2
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Spring..... Looking like Summer is coming..... Contents Highlights
Page
Linkworking Project
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Dual Diagnosis
20
Challenging Stigma
18
Welfare Reform
28
Our Spring Star
41
Competition Time
44
Springing into Action
50
Sun shines bright Pretty blossoms pink and white Rain falls gently on the ground In a good mood New life Gone, cold Winter’s gloom Trees in flower In a bluebell wood March daffodils golden yellow Early morning Bird Song by Samina - Hear Us Member Hear Us Orchard House, 15a Purley Road South Croydon, Surrey CR2 6EZ Tel: 020 8681 6888 email: info@hear-us.org www.hear-us.org Registered in England No. 6891337 Charity No.1135535
Hear Us will not publish anything that we deem likely to cause offence and we would like to point out that the opinions expressed in this publication are those of the ‘authors’ and do not necessarily represent the views of Hear Us.
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Hear Us News, Guides and Reports April 2013 saw the launch of Welfare Reform. The following benefits are changing:
• Disability Living Allowance will be replaced by Personal Independence Payment from 2013 • Council Tax Benefit will be abolished in April 2013 and replaced by a system of localised support • Benefits will be ‘capped’ at £350 for single people and £500 for couples, families and people with children • Bedroom tax (the single occupancy rule) means that people in council or housing association accommodation will have to pay towards any ‘extra’ bedrooms in the property. • Social Fund is also being reformed to introduce new local assistance,  
There is no need to panic...
Many of these changes won’t apply to YOU and others are not happening for a while yet. However it is important that people who are affected get the right advice and support. Hear Us has produced 2 guides ESA Migration Guide (changing from Income support/ incapacity benefit to Employment and Support Allowance) PIP (changing from DLA to Personal Independence Payment)
For a Copy of ANY of our Guides and Reports Contact Hear Us: Tel: 020 8681 6888 Email: info@hear-us.org 4
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us News, Guides and Reports
New Guides Coming Soon This Spring Hear Us is going to reprint our popular Mental Health and Wellbeing Guide, following the huge success of the 2012 edition. If you’d like to advertise a service or would like to receive a copy, please contact us: Email: guide@hear-us.org Tel: 020 8681 6888
BME Project - Mind the Gap
Hear Us has been working in partnership with the Community Development Workers service based at Croydon BME Forum and Off The Record since January 2012. Working together, we have been attempting to investigate the experience of BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) service users who access local mental health services. Having interviewed service users, staff and carers, we have now produced a report entitled ‘Mind The Gap: A Report on BME Mental Health Service Provision in Croydon’. Copies will be available at our open meeting in June (Tuesday 4th June, 1pm at CVA) which will include a discussion on Stigma in Mental Health as well as exploring issues experienced by people from BME communities. For more information Email: allie@hear-us.org Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Hear Us News, Guides and Reports Hear Us Projects - Linkworking; 2012/13 Report
Linkworkers are people with their own personal experiences of mental illness, who go onto the wards at the Bethlem or into the community and talk to other service users about their experiences.
You could become a Linkworker... Use your experiences of mental illness to support others and raise ‘service users’ issues to staff and managers & improve Croydon’s Mental Health Services. Call Allie on Tel: 020 8681 6888 Email: allie@hear-us.org
The Hear Us Linkworking Project has just reached the half way mark of our funding from Comic Relief. As a result we’ve been expanding the project into new services. Since the project began way back in 2007, we’ve seen more and more people approaching us and talking to us about the issues they’re facing. We are at Foxley lane on alternate Mondays, Gresham 1 twice a week, Gresham 2 on Thursdays, Triage ward on Tuesdays, PurleyResource Centre on Mondays and Tamworth Road on Wednesdays.  6
If you’ve got something on your mind, why not talk to one of the Linkworkers in your service.
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Projects - Linkworking; A Linkworker’s Story “There are very few places where you can work where talking about your own mental health In our recent evaluations is not only encouraged but also helpful to the role! of In Our Shoes, you When I began Linkworking, I told us your favourite articles were stories from found that people open up when members about their own they find out that I’m a service user. It feels like a privilege to mental health and their not only hear their story but to recovery experiences. This month Lucy tells her be in the position to use their experiences to enhance services. story about becoming a Linkworker and making a I have been Linkworking on Gresham 1 at the Bethlem since difference to the lives of September 2012 and it has others..... proved to be intensely rewarding; sometimes challenging but always varied and stimulating. Likewise, the people at Hear Us – both staff and volunteers – make for a uniquely wonderful environment of understanding, knowledge and support. Everyone who becomes a Linkworker does so because they are passionate about making sure people are heard and want to encourage mental wellbeing. I have met many fantastic people, made new friends, and learned so much in the process. Linkworking has given back as much to me as I have to it. It has educated me as a service user about the
Lucy’s Story:
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Hear Us Projects - Linkworking; A Linkworker’s Story vast amounts of organisations which exist offering support; expanded my knowledge of current issues in mental health, and given me the opportunity to attend training (most recently by Samaritans). I’ve gained confidence in expressing the views of others and my own opinions, and felt empowered as a result – and on low days the support of the team has been inspiring. Most noticeably, it has given me hope for my mental health and treatment, and a sense of doing something incredibly worthwhile.
The best part, undoubtedly, is watching and making changes happen; from small signs that a service user is becoming more well each time you visit, to forming growing alliances with staff and the sense of satisfaction when feedback is acted on. I’ve learned that getting involved in services is vital to their improvement, and making an impact is easier than it seems.” Lucy - Linkworker
Triage Ward Opens!
Way back in December, the new Triage Ward opened at the Bethlem. The ward is based at Tyson House and provides beds for ten men (although there are plans to open a wing for women too). The ward has a new staff team and has been newly decorated. So far Hear Us has received really positive feedback from patients on the ward and are keen to learn more about people’s experiences. 8
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Membership More Members Join Hear Us! Over the last six months Hear Us’ membership has grown by over one hundred members! With more and more service users in Croydon attending our meetings and wanting to get involved with the local mental health community, whether for support, advice or to have their say, Hear Us membership is booming! If you’re a new member, welcome and we look forward to seeing you at an event soon.
About our Membership: DOES IT COST ANYTHING? No. Membership is totally free. WHAT DO I GET? You get up to date information from our quarterly newsletters which keeps you informed on local services. You also get access to a range of information about mental health matters. LIKE TO JOIN? Complete a form online (www. hear-us.org) or phone us on 020 8681 6888
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You Write to Hear Us - Hypochondria • LYMPHOMA? • BIRD FLU? • ANEURYSM • MENINGITIS
diagnosis that a sufferer will rarely if ever receive any sympathy or compassion for.
Hypochondria is one of those things, the other one is OCD, that everyone on the whole entire planet at one time or another will be accused of having or claim they suffer from. NO YOU DO NOT. Making a list or liking things to be put away correctly does not give you a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder it just means that maybe you like things to be organised. My girlfriend (of whom more later) is forever saying ‘ooh you’re a bit OCD’. NO I AM NOT. I just believe that socks were meant to be kept in pairs seems obvious given that most of us use socks in twos, and that for ease of recovery it makes perfect sense to put them somewhere, let’s call it a sock drawer, so in the morning you don’t have to look in the breadbin on the off chance that the breadbin is todays footwear storage location of choice. OCD can be completely debilitating, controlling and life changing and unless you have suffered from it or care about someone who does I fear it will always be bit of a ‘comedy’
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The same can be said for hypochondria, or health anxiety to give it its slightly less amusing title. How many times have you complained of being a hypochondriac because you have a headache that isn’t that severe but you feel your audience should know about? NO YOU ARE NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC. How often have you shut a whinger up with the words ‘stop being such a hypochondriac? NO THEY ARE NOT. So after that somewhat convoluted title I shall start today’s piece with the subtitle ‘My Girlfriend has Survived More Life or Death Situations than Road Runner, Tweety Pie and Penelope Pitstop Combined (and that’s Just this Month)’ This isn’t an extensive list but recently she has survived leukaemia, meningitis, several tumours (both malignant and friendly), malaria, diphtheria, mumps measles AND rubella, sweaty palm syndrome, sweaty leg disorder, water on the brain, knee, elbow and eyebrow, as well as bouts of MS and ME and even, by proxy, West Nile Fever. What I don’t understand is why
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
You Write to Hear Us - Hypochondria all, or even one, of the giant pharmaceutical multinationals aren’t beating a path to her door because the antibodies in her blood must be priceless and could probably save more lives than Mother Theresa on a moped (so if you happen to be called Eli Lilly or Glaxo it might be worth you giving me a call, I’ll send some blood, skin & hair samples). On a serious note although it may sound like I am trivialising the condition, health anxiety can be a terrible thing, it can completely control a sufferers thoughts. Please if ever my girlfriend complains to you of her terrible maladies remember that to her these fears are very real (but unlikely to be contagious) Peter
What can help? Cognitive An effective treatment behavioural for many people with therapy health anxiety. (CBT)
Antidepressant Medication medication may be helpful
Anxiety UK
www.anxietyuk.org.uk 08444 775 774
Do not ask me to remember
Do not ask me to remember Don’t try to make me understand Let me rest and know you’re with me Kiss my cheek and hold my hand I’m confused beyond your concept I am sad and sick and lost All I know is that I need you To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me Do not scold or curse or cry I can’t help the way I’m acting Can’t be different though I try Just remember that I need you That the best of me is gone Please don’t fail to stand beside me Love me till my life is done. (Hear Us Member)
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You Write to Hear Us - OCD
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ith ac One day this bouncer OC found one of those D un silicone rubber balls that keep on and on ci until you fall over Outside yourself trying to get it was raining cats and hold of it. Just catching it didn’t dogs and a wide-brimmed hat really kill the cat though, not dripping like a waterfall all but completely. It wasn’t worth a completely hid her face until she fraction of the effort; until he turned to take a seat. He played worked out how to spin it to his hand with the timing of the make it bounce up backwards Maverick, but it was too soon, from the ground in front of him. too late. The damage was done. If the old lady had pulled a gun Then he practised in his mother’s on him right then the expression kitchen with the determination on her face would have said and patience that only the OCD more, and more loudly. It wasn’t can fully appreciate, never mind even his mother. the saints; constantly crashing it across the worktop into the The ball hit the table deadcups and plates stacked up on centre, right on a splash of the draining board; or banging it water that fell from the brim of noisily into the dusty void behind her hat. Instead of obediently the fridge. returning to him; it skidded on and upwards, bounced off the OCD be damned, this man got window by her face; hit the good. Before long he could panel behind her head and just flick it to the floor, or onto missed her other ear, on its a table three feet away and way back down to the table. catch it twenty times running Rising again like the phoenix without incident. Master of all it arced over his shoulder and he destroyed, he was soon the disappeared into a startled undisputable nuts. That was until group of soggy visitors discussing the day he saw his mother, as their plans loudly in the corridor, he thought, at a railway station, in German. getting into one of those silent Were you there for me Scotty, long- distance trains with tables when I really needed you? and facing seats. He followed BOLLO$*S...! her inside... Tom - Hear Us member Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
You Write to Hear Us - Anorexia ANOREXIA - a survivor’s story When I first discovered anorexia at 16 years of age, I felt I had found my niche in life. With depression haunting me from as young as I can remember, later compounded by my parents’ messy divorce and other distressing situations I found myself in, I think I would have clung to anything to numb the pain.
And anorexia certainly did numb the pain, in fact it numbed everything in my life, and whilst initially it was a welcome relief and my friends complimented my “figure”, compliments turned into concern. Eventually my friends lost interest. But I could not let my illness go, because in the end it was all I had left; it kept me safe and was my armour to the outside world. In truth it was slowly destroying every aspect of me and my life. I had several hospital admissions during the ten years I was ill, in general psychiatric wards and specialist eating disorder services, both voluntary and under section.
highs of starvation (which as time went by became less and less). Even now, 9 years into recovery, I look back and cannot remember being at death’s door. I never thought I would recover, and it is still hard to pinpoint how it happened. I guess I reached the point where the benefits of being ill were few and far between. After several suicide attempts, it was either change or carry on trying to kill myself. My rock bottom was my saving grace. I can’t say my recovery has been a bed of roses. I still struggle at times, but to me this reaffirms the fact that I am now living as opposed to existing. I am currently 3 months short of completing my nursing/ social work degree. Recovery is possible and my experiences have taught me to never give up on my dreams. Anna Student, aged 30yrs
Although I was willing to give treatment a go, I had mixed feelings. I was bored of my dreary, predictable, safe and isolating life - aside from the Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Low Cost Counselling For people struggling with... • Depression/Anxiety • Panic attacks • Low self-esteem • Loss of confidence • Anger Management • And many more....
Ca re to Listen
“Depression and anxiety have a negative impact on your health, your ability to socialise and within your working environment. Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions can help”
Where
St Mildred’s Centre Bingham Road Croydon CR0 7EH and East Croydon Medical Centre 59 Addiscombe Rd, Croydon CR0 6SD
When
Mondays to Fridays
Referrals
From secondary mental health teams, GPs, local organisations and self referrals.
Cost
Low cost (from £10 per session). Clients pay according to their means
Sharon Thomas: Tel 07956 891203 or Eve Stephenson: Tel 07985 343619 14
Contact Care To Listen
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Carers’ Councelling Service
in Croydon CARERS’ COUNSELLING SERVICE Are you providing unpaid support for family or friends who could not manage without your help? Are you caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, elderly, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems? As a carer you may face a number of difficulties which are hard to deal with emotionally and which cause you distress. Counselling can provide you with an opportunity to talk about these emotional difficulties with someone who is trained to listen. It can help you to understand what you are experiencing and to see the difficulty in a more manageable way. If you would benefit from counselling, we will arrange for you to see a counsellor for up to 6 sessions. There may be a waiting list. How long you have to wait will depend on your needs and availability. Please telephone 020 8763 2064 and give your name and address. You will be sent further information on the Carers Counselling Service, how it works and what you can expect from it, and a short questionnaire to complete and return. Telephone: 020 8763 2064 Email: counselling@mindincroydon.org.uk www.mindincroydon.org.uk Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Community Opportunities Service COS (Community Opportunities Service) support people to get more active and involved. They assist you to explore routes into new hobbies, social activities, volunteering, education and work opportunities. To use COS you need to be living in the borough of Croydon and using South London and Maudsley services (SLaM). If you speak to your Care Team, they will be able to refer you. When, you have been referred you’ll meet a member of the
Michael, a service user says of his experience: “COS (Croydon) help you to look at the options that are available out there. They allowed me to try different opportunities of both training and voluntary work which helped me to understand and learn about myself and where I wanted to go in life. I have always found it difficult to accept help but the people at COS were very welcoming, understanding and gave me the time that I needed”. 16
Michael volunteered at the Brooklands Museum as he has a keen interest in all things: ‘planes trains and automobiles!’ COS team who will discuss what it is you may want to look into or try out. work at your pace and there’s no pressure to try anything you don’t think you are ready for. COS: “Being active and feeling involved is important for all of us. However, when life becomes difficult, we can lose confidence, stop doing the things we used to do, start to become isolated. Our approach at COS is relaxed and informal, we are not here to talk people into things but to support them in the things they want to do but don’t know how to do them. Community Opportunities Service, Tel: 020 3228 0548
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Projects - Mental Health Open Forum On the first Tuesday of each month, Hear Us hosts a Mental Health Open Forum chaired by service user and Trustee, Ian Timms. We invite along Guest Speakers to talk about the issues that affect those of us with mental health problems in Croydon. Please come along and join other service users; and together we CAN make a difference to the services we receive.
Your Feedback
I have gained interesting and relevant information. Thank you. Nice to meet people in same or similar situations to myself. As a speaker it’s one of the most positive experiences ever - good audience, interested and lively people, important questions, welcoming hosts. Everywhere should have a Hear Us!
This was very informative and really fantastic to have meetings like this. It has helped me so much as a carer It was an extremely useful meeting, a good mix of speakers. A lovely atmosphere - good for sharing. Keep up the good work!
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Hear Us Projects - Linkworking; Dual Diagnosis Dual Diagnosis Project Do you ever turn to drugs or alcohol when you’re struggling with your mental health? If you do, you’re not alone… Lots of people in Croydon need support to help them with both their mental health and drugs and alcohol. Hear Us has teamed up with Westminster Drug Project (WDP) and Croydon Drug and Alcohol Service (DAAT) to find out what support is needed and how people currently get support with their problems.
“Which comes first: substance misuse or mental illness”?
We recently held our open meeting in January to discuss this topic. A Hear Us member gave an inspirational account of his own personal struggles with drugs and alcohol. Michael has ‘first hand experience’ of what it means to have Dual Diagnosis. He raised a very interesting question Michael: “I am an addict and I also have mental health problems – what came first?
There is no absolute – I think in a lot of cases the mental health issue is first and people self-medicate (with drugs or alcohol) to cope. Other times the self-medicating can trigger the mental health problems. For me it was sometimes the only way to cope with life. I believe that mental health and addiction are related – due to a lack of self-esteem and self-belief “ 18
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Projects - Linkworking; Dual Diagnosis Drug and alcohol services in Croydon Lantern Hall: 190 Church Road Croydon, CR0 1SE
020 8604 7104
Westminster Drug Project (WDP)
020 8662 4792 Out of hours help line 0845 056 0099 (24/7)
PLUG: Meetings on Wednesday evening, 5pm – 8pm Where: East Croydon United Reform Church, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon)
0786 846 5752
PLUGETTES: Women’s social group Tuesday 122pm. Purley Oaks Family Centre
07548 639 224
Peer Support: Francis O’Leary says “PLUG was set up as a mixed group in 2007, and the all women group (Plugettes) in 2010. These are service user led groups. You get the best advice from others who have been/are where you are at. Also you can get great advice for your life beyond drugs and alcohol.
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Hear Us Projects - Reachout Challenge
I was keen to become involved in the Reachout Challenge as soon as I heard about it, mainly
because I’ve experienced a lot of prejudice regarding my mental health, but also because I’ve seen how widespread mental health stigma can be. The project was clearly going to do a lot to challenge and change this; in a positive way that also promised plenty of cake. What was there not to like?
In practice, however, I found that as the time came to attend events and engage in The conversations Reachout with strangers to discuss Challenge has been mental health, a positive force in my especially my life; it has given me a mental health, sense of purpose & I became accomplishment increasingly and a reason to nervous. Would get out of bed I encounter in the people who’d morning! judge me for my situation? Would I have to listen to people having a rant about mental health sufferers in general? How might all this affect my health?
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Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Projects - Reachout Challenge Going into a room to talk with people I don’t know is never going to be totally easy for me, but I now know that it’s also an opportunity – as a result of Reachout Challenge events, I’ve chatted with a guy who, like me, is a keen photographer; talked with a woman who is doing a 999km walk in Italy for Médecins Sans Frontières; and also had some really significant conversations with people about how to access mental health support for friends and family, helped spread an understanding of
that we ess s l e e f It progr nd g n i k a are m ng stigma a ci s in redu ing awarenes increas ntal health of me lems’. prob
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realised a few things, all good. Firstly, I soon realised that I’d be connecting with a lot of lovely, interesting people, many of whom already had a positive attitude to those of us who have mental health issues, and others who might not know much but were enthusiastic to learn. The second thing I discovered was that the Reachout Challenge volunteers are brilliant at giving each other support and encouragement, and at ensuring no one is stretched further than they feel comfortable with – time out is something we all need to take from time to time. Finally, on a personal level, I realised that I’d clearly been guilty of catastrophising. And there is such a thing as too much cake!
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Hear Us Projects - Reachout Challenge
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what people who suffer from poor mental health are really like; and been able to give people new ways of engaging with mental health sufferers. Yes, it can still make me a bit anxious, but it’s proved to be incredibly worthwhile and something I’d not expected - a lot of fun and the cause of much happiness.
The project still has many months to run, so why not consider joining us? If you want cake, there’ll be cake. If you want fun, happiness and a feeling that you’re doing something worthwhile, there’ll be plenty avaiable of that too! Interested? Contact Jane Tel: 020 8681 6888 Email: jane@hear-us.org
Reachout Challenge & British Transport Police
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Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Projects - Reachout Challenge
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Are you fed up of the STIGMA and DISCRIMINATION surrounding Mental Health Conditions? Would you like to VOLUNTEER in CROYDON to talk to Key Organisations in a creative, productive and FUN way? Come to our open day on Thursday 6th June 2 - 4pm at Orchard House to find out more Do you have a FEW HOURS to join other volunteers and have CONVERSATIONS over TEA and CAKE? No Commitment, just the opportunity to MEET and SHARE with others who have similar STORIES to tell. TOGETHER we can TACKLE STIGMA and MAKE A DIFFERENCE Reachout Challenge, Hear Us, Orchard House, 15a Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ. Tel : 0208 681 6888 (Project Runs until Mob: 07594373104 February 2014) Email: Jane@hear-us.org Web: www.hear-us.org Follwo us on Facebook:facebook.com/ReachoutChallenge Follow us in Twitter: @reachoutcroydon Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Dual Diagnosis
Jan 1st 2013
Dietician
Mindfulness Pilates
Massage
Personal Trainers
Arts and Crafts
Zumba
Make-Overs
Floral Workshop
December 2013 Hear Us Xmas Party
Nov 5th 2013 Clinical Commissioning Groups
Oct 1st 2013
Universal Credit
Medication
To be Confirmed
Aug 6th 2013
Welfare Reform
Apr 2nd 2013
Sept 3rd 2013
Annual Wellbeing Day
July 2nd 2013
Reflexology
BME Communities & Stigma
Jun 4th 2013
Dignity in Care
Mar 5th 2013
Yoga
Inpatient Services
May 7th 2013
DLA Changes
Feb 5th 2013
Hear Us Mental Health Forum 2013
Body Shop
Reflexology
Arts and Crafts
Floral Workshop
Zumba
Pilates
Massage
Make-Overs
Dietician
Mindfulness
July 2nd 2013 1 - 4.30pm CVA West Croydon 82 London Rd, CR0 2TB
Hear Us Wellbeing Event
Body Shop Personal Trainers Yoga Reflexology Arts and Crafts Floral Workshop Zumba Pilates Massage Make-Overs Dietician Mindfulness Body Shop
Personal Trainers
Yoga
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You write to Hear Us - Dear Psychiatrist Dear Psychiatrist… I’ve just waited 3 months to see you and now I’m sitting in your consultation room; trying to explain the last 12 weeks of my life; hoping and praying that you can wave your magic stethoscope and make my life good again. I know this is fundamentally impossible but the fantasy has kept me going for several weeks, Please understand that I am a 3-dimensional human being and not just the symptoms of my diagnosis. I have housing worries, financial worries, social worries….so please ask me about these too. There are numerous organisations who can help me, but I won’t know this unless you tell me. Please take my wishes into account. I know that you are an expert who has studied mental illness for many years, but I’ve been studying me my entire life! A note about medication - lorazapam, olanzapine, citalopram…...they calm my nerves, alleviate my voices, lift my mood - all good, but they also dull my personality, make me feel permanently drunk, my weight soars and I need to take a nap every 2 hours not so good. Please understand this before you tell me I’m being non-compliant. Finally, if you could ask the commissioners to put more funding into talking therapies, I would be most grateful, 2 years is too long to wait when you need to talk. Yours sincerely, Service User. 26
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
You write to Hear Us Walking on a Tightrope share. Afraid of any changes, Afraid of staying the same. Sometimes happy and smiling, Sometimes full of shame. And so the drugs pump through me, Journeying up my vein. Helping me stay even, Keeping away the pain. But sometimes it is boring, To be so finely tuned. I miss my days of flying, I sometimes feel entombed. I suppose I should be grateful, They stop me feeling rotten. Even though I can’t be high, At least I’m not rock bottom. Walking on a tightrope, Don’t look down. Balancing in the middle, Of a smile and a frown. Living life in limbo, For the past year. Too afraid to leave home, Too stifling to stay near. Head above the surface, Try and get some air. Some days I am drowning, Nothing left to
So now I must resume, The journey of my life. Not look back behind me, But not forget my strife. Since everything’s that happened, Has made me so much stronger. It’s time to join The Living, There’s so much left to conquer.
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Welfare Reform - 14 pages of information and advice
Understanding Welfare Reform Understanding the new BEDROOM TAX (single occupancy rule) and getting help Understanding the new COUNCIL TAX and getting help
Understanding the new BENEFIT CAP and getting help Rule Number One: Don’t Panic !
• Not everyone will be affected • If you are affected by any of the changes there is help and support available • Some of the changes are not happening for a long time
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Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Welfare Reform The government is making many significant changes to our Welfare Benefit System. From 2011 people in receipt of ‘sickness’ benefits, namely income support and incapacity benefit, were ‘migrated’ onto the new Employment and Support Allowance. Not everyone has been moved over yet, but the majority of people have been, and the rest will follow shortly. In the following months and years, further changes are coming.
2013 means a lot of changes to Benefits. • April 2013: Council Tax Benefit will be abolished and replaced by Council Tax Support • April 2013: There will be a ‘CAP’ on Benefits per Household • April 2013: Introduction of a ‘Bedroom’ tax • April 2013: Social Funds (including crisis loans and community care grants) are being abolished and replaced by local schemes • Disability Living Allowance will be replaced by Personal Independence Payment from 2013 (though most people won’t be affected until October 2015) • Launch of Universal Credit (but most people will not be affected for a long time) Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Welfare Reform - Bedroom Tax From April 2013 Some people who live in Council or Housing Association properties and who have more bedrooms in their home than they need, could lose money from their housing benefit.
Welfare Reform 1st April 2013
How much money could you lose? People who have one ‘spare’ bedroom will lose 14% per week from their housing benefit. People with 2 or more ‘spare’ bedrooms will lose 25% per week.
People over pension age 30
We Appos e
We Appose t
Private tenants
x
No. The following groups of people are exempt and will not be affected by the Bedroom Tax:
Bedroom T e a th
Bedroom Ta x he
Is everyone affected?
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Welfare Reform - Bedroom Tax What counts as a ‘spare’ Bedroom? If your home has more bedrooms than the government says you need, these would be counted as ‘spare’ bedrooms One bedroom for a single adult One bedroom for a couple Children under 10 (regardless of gender) must share Children under 16 of the same gender must share There are further exemptions for people who have children who are in the armed forces, or are studying away from home, and for people who need overnight care from someone who does not live in the house - if you are not sure whether you are affected by the Bedroom Tax - seek advice.
What to do if you ARE affected by the Bedroom Tax? Discretionary Housing Payment. The council has a limited ‘pot’ of money that could be used to help people, who have a medical condition, financial problems or are at risk of homelessness. However, these payments are temporary; there are no guarantees; and it is worth seeking support if you want to apply.
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Croydon Council has more information about Housing Benefit and Discretionary Housing Payments. Tel: 020 8726 7000
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Welfare Reform - Council Tax From April 2013 Council Tax Benefit is being replaced by Council Tax Support. People who receive council tax benefit will receive this new benefit instead, but will be expected to pay something towards their council tax.
Welfare Reform 1st April 2013
Is everyone affected? No. The following groups of people will not be affected by the changes to council Tax Benefit People over pension credit age People who receive DLA or PIP (Personal Independence Payment) any rate. People who receive Employment and Support Allowance (support group or WRAG group) or income support People who have child/children under the age of 5 The second adult rebate is also being abolished – this was a system whereby if you were a vulnerable adult living with someone who was working – that person got a 25% discount on their council tax (i.e. as though they were living alone)
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Croydon Council has more information about Council Tax and Council Tax Support: Tel: 020 8726 7000 Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Welfare Reform - Benefit Cap From April 2013 Welfare Reform 1st April 2013
here will be a limit to how much Benefit you can claim per household. This limit is called a ‘cap’ and if you are receiving more benefit than this cap, it will be deducted from your housing benefit.
How much is the Benefit CAP Up to £350 per week couples with or without children and Up to £500 per lone parents) week for a single person without children
Is everyone affected? No. The following groups of people will not be affected by the Benefit CAP: People of Pension Credit Age, and people who receive War Widows or Widowers Pension People who work for 16 hrs. a week or more or receive working tax credits People who receive DLA or PIP (any rate) or Attendance Allowance People who are in the support group of Employment and Support Allowance Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Welfare Reform - Benefit Cap What to do if you ARE affected by the Benefit Cap? 1. Approach the Council and ask about Discretionary Housing
Payments (if you are facing hardship because of the benefit CAP it is worth making a claim - these payments are not guaranteed) and will only be short term . 2. It is worth getting a Benefit Check to make sure you are getting all the right benefits
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Croydon Council and Discretionary Funds: Tel: 020 8726 7000
(
DWP Benefit Cap Helpline: Tel: 0845 605 7064
Welfare Reform - Social Fund Reform.
From April 2013 Welfare Reform 1st April 2013
Crisis Loans and Community Grants were abolished on 1 April 2013. However, there is still help available for people facing financial hardship.
Local councils will receive funds to support people in different ways. 34
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Welfare Reform - Social Fund Reform.
1. Help available from the Council Croydon has a Discretionary Scheme (CDC). If you are in Crisis and need financial help you can call CDC: If you need a grant e.g. because you are leaving hospital or residential care and need money to start up in a new home telephone CDC:
2. Help available from the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs): will be introduced from 1 April 2013. You maybe eligible if you need money while waiting for your claim to be processed. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus and ask about STBA (phone the number at the top of your benefit letters) Budgeting loans will still be available from the DWP - Call 0845 603 6967 Hardship Payment: If you are in financial hardship, e.g. because your benefit has been suspended or stopped, ask about a Hardship Payment. Call your local jobcentre plus: (phone the number at the top of your benefit letters)
(
Croydon Council Discretionary Scheme: Tel: 020 8760 5719
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Welfare Reform - Social Fund Reform. If you don’t know your local jobcentre plus phone number and don’t have a Benefits letter to refer to, most people’s benefits will be processed either in Stratford or Belfast so call:
( ( (
0845 608 8770 - for Belfast 0845 6000 148 - for Stratford 0800 882 200 - for general enquiries (8am - 6pm Mon to Fri)
Useful Websites for Welfare Reform
8 8 8
www.dwp.gov.uk www.disabilityrightsuk.org www.mindincroydon.org.uk
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Welfare Reform - The Future
DLA: What’s Changing? PIP will be replacing DLA, for people, aged 16-64, who need help with their care and/ or mobility. However, you must claim for PIP and if you choose not to, your DLA will stop. No one will be automatically transferred from DLA to PIP. There is no need to panic! Most people wont’ be affected by the change from DLA to PIP until at least October 2015.
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Disability Living Allowance will be replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from 2013 The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) will write to you and tell you when you need to claim PIP For more information, tips and where to go for help, ask Hear Us for a copy of our ‘step by step’ PIP guide
Disability Living Allowance helpline: 08457 123 456
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Welfare Reform - Universal Credit
< Later this year >
Universal Credit Sometime later in the year, the government plans to introduce a new ‘single’ benefit to replace other ‘income related’ benefits, such as:
• income based jobseeker’s allowance • income related ESA • income support • housing benefit • working tax credits and • housing benefit.
However, most people on benefits won’t be affected by Universal Credit for a long while yet. 38
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Welfare Reform - Need Help?
Where can you go for help with Benefits?
SLaM Welfare Benefit Team: If you attend a Resource Centre or are a patient on the wards at the Bethlem, contact your Resource Centre or ask your support worker to make an appointment for you: Tamworth Road Purley Resource Centre Westways Resource Centre The Crescent Resource Centre
( ( ( (
020 3228 0300 020 3228 5400 020 3228 5800 01689 308 400
Mind in Croydonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Benefits Advice Team
(020 8763 2037 Opening Times
Tuesdays
10am - 1pm
Thursdays
2pm - 5pm
you can leave a message outside of these times Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Welfare Reform - Need Help? Croydon Council Welfare Rights Advice Line
(0800 731 5920
For Croydon Residents Only
Opening Times
Monday
2 - 7pm
Tuesdays
3 - 4.30pm
Wednesdays Friday Also phone for details of drop-in surgeries (available in certain areas)
11am - 2pm 29am - 12pm
Access Croydon Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS
(0208 726 6000 Opening Times
Thursdays
10am - 1pm
By appointment only
There is no need to panic...
Many of these changes wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t apply to YOU and others are not happening for a while yet. However it is important that people who are affected get the right advice and support. Hear Us has produced 2 guides ESA Migration Guide (changing from Income support/ incapacity benefit to Employment and Support Allowance) PIP (changing from DLA to Personal Independence Payment) 40
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Hear Us Hero Coral has been receptionist at Tamworth Road Resource Centre for years. She always has a smile for service users, and treats everyone with respect. When Hear Us asked Coral why she loves her job, she told us “Mental illness can happen to anyone, you never know what is going on for someone when they come to the centre”
Tamworth Road Angel
You are a shining example Coral - thank you for all you do.
Hear Us is a campaigning organisation. We are continually looking to improve Croydon’s Mental Health Services, by asking service users for their views and opinions . We think it is important to also ‘shout out’ about examples of excellence within our Mental Health System. If you would like to nominate a member of your team, your care coordinator, psychiatrist, GP, or other front line staff to be a Hear Us Hero - we want to hear from you. Tel: 020 8681 6888 or email: info@hear-us.org Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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Mad Geniuses - Past and Present in history is William Blake. Whilst William was alive his artworks weren’t taken seriously and he was deemed as being mad. Centuries after his death though, he is now regarded as being one of Britain’s greatest poets. Van Gogh Virginia Woolf was one of Its often said that there Britain’s most is a thin line between well known genius and insanity, William Blake Victorian and many people, past writers, and present, have walked the and during her lifetime she line between both. And many experienced bouts of madness people at different times have after suffering three nervous walked both sides of this line. breakdowns. She ended her life History provides a wealth of by putting large stones in her mad geniuses. Van Gogh was a pockets and waded into a river great artist, who also suffered near her home and drowned madness that led him to kill herself. himself by shooting himself in the chest with a revolver. During Van Gogh’s lifetime he never sold a painting, yet today his artworks sell for multiple millions.
Who are the mad geniuses of today though, who will also one day be remembered in history? I believe I’ve found some of them, who I’ll now mention.
Another great artist and writer
Jason Pegler was hospitalized
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Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Mad Geniuses - Past and Present as a teenager with manic depression. He published his autobiography ‘A can of madness’ in 2002, and since then he formed Chipmunka
Virginia Woolf
publishers, who have now published 1500 mental health books, by 800 authors. John Nash was a schizophrenic who was born in America in 1928. John was a mathematical genius who taught this subject as a university lecturer. He eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize for his research and mathematical breakthrough discoveries. His life was depicted in the film ‘A beautiful mind’. Dolly Sen is a bipolar sufferer
who was born in 1970. She was told that she would never amount to anything and would end up in prison or Broadmoor. Instead she is a success story and has had four books published, is a filmmaker, poet, musician, actress, public speaker and consultant on mental health issues. David Hall used to be a chronic paranoid schizophrenic, until a Christian minister prayed for him and he was miraculously healed. He is now a preacher, John Nash counsellor and teacher in a Bible college. He is also married and has three children. I’ve used the term Mad Geniuses loosely, as the fact is that some of the people I’ve mentioned are no longer mad and have made a great recovery. By Paul Hear Us Member
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Competition Time - Design a Card
Design The New Hear Us Birthday Card or the Christmas Card Send your entries: Hear Us Orchard House 15a Purley Road South Croydon CR2 6EZ Email: info@hear-us.org ďżź 44
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BME - Service Users, Carers & Families
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12.30pm – 2.30pm
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FOR MORE INFO. PLEASE CONTACT HORACE or MARJORIE ON 0208 668 2419
ALL SESSIONS RUN BY QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS or SESSIONAL STAFF Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
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You Write To Hear Us
My at EVA By Nicole Life H ouse Nash
I have lived at Eva House. One of 3 mental health projects in Croydon for 2 years. The idea is to prepare you for independent living. There are 13 clients, males and females with a different mixture of mental health issues among the group.
flats. I now live in an individual “Eva House flat because I has helped was deemed well me by making enough to have my me more own place within the complex. Eva confident and house is a ‘move on’ giving me my project, therefore independence it is up to you to fill back”. your time; there is not a program of groups and activities each day There is 24-hour but your support staffing and you worker encourages have an allocated you to do things, key worker who get out and about, meets with you get involved in regularly to talk volunteering etc. about your mental I was put forward and physical to be a customer wellbeing; as well rep – an interface as other aspects of between the your life such as budgeting, customers and the staff. Once activities you want to try, a month the house has a group volunteering opportunities, outing. We are hoping to go to and so on. Eva house is a very London zoo when the weather harmonious place to live. We is a bit warmer. have both shared and individual 46
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You Write To Hear Us On Sundays we are all given a budget by the YMCA – we cook a communal meal and all 3 projects are invited – I am often in charge of the cooking – with help – and it means I don’t have to do the washing up!! This makes me feel happy to see others enjoying my cooking. It gives me something meaningful to do on a Sunday and keeps me busy. We have a lovely big back garden which we are hoping to turn into a vegetable patch with herbs and flowers. Weight watchers has started up here. They also encourage residents to go to the gym if they wish. Neave – the involvement worker is fantastic and makes the best ever chocolate brownies!!!!!!! If you want to eat – you have to cater for yourself – this is all part of preparing to move into independent living. We have a laundry room and do all our
own washing. They do room checks regularly to see if people are looking after themselves. I would like to thank Quinita (my key worker) and Brett (the manager). The whole team are great. They gave me the support I needed to be open about my situation (Eric became Nicole this year) . Without them I think I would be in a very different place in my life right now.
To all at Eva House – thank you
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You Write To Hear Us I have been managing the Mental Health Services at the South London YMCA for 2 years, but specifically I have been working with homelessness and mental health for the past 12 years. My “I am lucky experience of “I am glad that the SLYMCA and to be in such I can support the services has a role, to see the people and empower been massively positive and progress and individuals” managing these grow“ services has been greatly rewarding; watching and supporting my staff team to make differences to customers lives. Our ethos and aims of the service is to de- institutionalise and give people back their voice.
Support Worker Quinita
Brett - Manager at Eva House
Brett Manager at Eva House
As a Support Worker for Eva House Project I find my role very rewarding. I enjoy supporting the clients with all their day-to-day enquiries as well as the not so easy parts of life. From a personal perspective, I am glad that I can support and empower individuals. I would like to feel confident that the customers at Eva House can come to me for support anytime. This is just part of what makes this a wonderfully rewarding job. Quinita 48
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
Useful Telephone Numbers If you feel that you are an immediate risk to yourself or someone else, phone 999 for an ambulance or the police. CONTACT OPENING PROBLEM WHO CAN HELP DETAILS HOURS If you belong to a See below ‘I feel in Resource Centre, ask for Resource Mon - Fri Crisis” to be put through to Centre contact 9am - 5pm Duty numbers ‘I feel in Psychiatric Liaison 24 hrs/day Crisis” Out Team at Croydon 020 8 401 3000 365 days a of Hours University year 08457 90 90 90 24 hrs/day “I feel The (landlines, charged at 365 days a Suicidal” Samaritans local rate 116123 (FREE year from mobiles only) 24 hrs/day I need SLaM 24 hr 0800 731 2864 7 days a information information line week 8.00am to Edridge Road Community “I feel Health Centre Impact 020 3040 0800 8.00pm physically 365 days a House, 2 Edridge Rd, unwell” year Croydon, CR9 1PJ Immediate Risk
For incidents that do not require an 101 immediate response
24 hrs/day 365 days a year
“I need health advice”
NHS Direct
24 hour confidential helpline
“I need GP advice, my surgery is closed”
Patient 24 (previously Croydoc)
Non Urgent Police
0845 4647
0845 603 8517
06.30-08.30 a weekdays 24 hours weekends and bank holidays
‘Spring’ into Action with Active Minds
Active Minds Pretending like it’s already summer As I write this, there is snow and gale force winds whipping around us here at Orchard House; but, as the weather last week had picked itself up and brightened up a bit our thoughts, perhaps prematurely, turned to the summer. So what can Active Minds offer for the spring and summer months to get you out in the fresh air and sunshine? At this time of the year the work that needs doing, and the inclination to do it, starts to gather pace down on the allotment, so
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Why a bit of Sunshine is good for you Sunlight is natural and has an array of benefits for humans. The sun not only provides both light and heat that warms us, but in some cases sunlight can change how we feel and how we look. Vitamin D is vital to human health. Vitamin D helps keep our immune system working to fight off disease and infection. One of the highest concentrated forms of natural vitamin D is found in sunlight. Getting up to ten minutes of sun exposure daily helps the body produce vitamin D. One main benefit of sunlight for most people is that it can enhance your mood. Sunlight has been known to combat depression, especially sadness experienced with those who have seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
Working Together for Change and Better Understanding in Mental Health
‘Spring’ into Action with Active Minds you’re more than welcome to join us on our plot in south Croydon (and I’m sure that you’ll also receive a warm welcome over at Park Hill gardens). The satisfaction and fascination of a summer spent watching the plot come alive, grow and produce food you can put on your table is unrivalled. Why not also try cycling, with a variety of cycling courses and classes held around the borough. Alternatively there’s walking, rambling and even Nordic Walking (that thing that looks a little bit silly like skiing but without snow, or skis) taking place almost daily, and aimed at all ability levels. These and many other activities are run by Croydon Council. iIf you wish to try them but lack that tiny something to get you over the threshold of participation, we can pair you with a buddy to support you. And IF, of course, the weather once more
fails us Boxercise and Cook and Taste courses continue to run indoors throughout the summer as will all of our other ‘dry and warm’ activities including football, yoga and relaxation classes, table tennis, badminton & swimming It really doesn’t matter what the weather is like for you to take part. We look forward to seeing you - Peter
Contact: Peter or Alex Email: activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk Tel: 0208 253 8205/6
Hear Us Orchard House 15a Purley Road South Croydon CR2 6EZ 020 8681 6888 @ info@hear-us.org www.hear-us.org Company No. 6891337 Charity No.1135535