Published by Redbridge Concern for Mental Health

Mental Health Week October 2006

10th to 21st October - Redbridge Concern for Mental Health and ThinkArts are holding an art exhibition - Paint The Town Red - at Ilford Central Library.

Thursday 12th October - Come along to Ilford Town Hall between 10am and 3.30pm and enjoy live music, jugglers, free health checks, refreshments and more.

Friday 13th October - Forest Farm Peace Garden are holding an Arts and Crafts Day (10am to 4pm) which will include a juggling and mosaic workshop. Refreshments will be provided.

To find out more about the different events please visit our website

Funders' Fair October 18th 2006

RedbridgeCVS in partnership with the Redbridge Strategic Partnership is holding its annual Funders' Fair on Wednesday 18th October at Barnabas Workshops, 325/331 High Road, Ilford from 11.30 am to 3.30pm.

There will be a wide range of funders attending to advise groups as well as workshops on different topics.

For more information contact Harjit Sangha at RedbridgeCVS.

Redbridge Forum Carers' Meeting

Redbridge Forum, an organisation for people with a learning difficulty and their carers, is holding a carers' meeting on Wednesday 4th October at The Hainault Room, Fulwell Cross Library, High Street, Barkingside from 11am to 12.30pm.

Sheenagh Burgess will be speaking on Learning Disability Budgets

To find out more contact Olivia Morgan on: 020 8478 7571

Warm Front Scheme in England Fact Sheet

If you need help paying for heating and insulation improvements in your privately owned or rented home, you, your partner or civil partner may be able to get money from the government's Warm Front grants scheme if, for example, you're receiving income or disability-related benefits.

For further information please visit the Directgov webiste.

Alternatively, you can call Eaga Partnership, the Warm Front Scheme Manager on freephone 0800 316 6011, textphone 0800 072 0156 (from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday).

Ok2b at Hackney Empire

ok2b's Big Smile, a new charity which aims to achieve a positive shift change in the public's attitude towards people with mental health problems is hosting a comedy night at the Hackney Empire on Sunday 8th October 2006. Featuring Jo Brand, Arthur Smith, Ricky Grover, Shappi Khorsandi and Rufus Hound.

Tickets are available from the Hackney Empire Box Office Telephone Number 020 8985 2424, priced at £10, £12.50, and £15 (concessions available).

Equal treatment: closing the gap

The Disability Rights Commission Formal Investigation, Equal Treatment: Closing the Gap probed the experience of people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities of primary care services in England and Wales after international research showed that these two groups were at higher risk of serious physical health problems.

The investigation provides new evidence that people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems are more likely to experience major illness, to develop serious health conditions at an earlier age and to die of them sooner than other people. Yet they are also less likely to receive some of the important evidence-based treatments and health checks than others with the same condition but without a mental health condition or learning disability. They also face real barriers to accessing services.

From December 2006, the NHS - including primary care trusts in England and local health boards in Wales - will come under the Disability Equality Duty which requires them to ensure that their policies and practices promote equal opportunities for disabled people.

Self harm and Suicide amongst Black and Minority Ethnic Women:

The high rate of suicide and self harm among minority ethnic women is highlighted in a recent report by the Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership. The report examines why minority ethnic women in the UK are twice as likely to commit suicide or self harm as the national average. By raising awareness of key issues which impede minority ethnic women from disclosing mental health difficulties, the report aims to improve how services respond to, protect and support minority ethnic women.

The report highlights the complexity of the issues and cautions against seeing generational conflict as the only reason or the main reason for them. Rather it points to a complex set of factors including family honour, language barriers, gender discrimination at home and in wider society, low self esteem and racial discrimination by society.

You can read and download the report here.

Jon Abrams
Web Site Editor
Redbridge Concern for Mental Health
98-100 Ilford Lane
Ilford, Essex, IG1 2LD
Web Site: www.rcmh.org.uk
Email:rcmh@btconnect.com
Telephone: 020 8925 2435

Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3115971
Registered Charity No. 1065770

Disclaimer

Redbridge Concern for Mental Health does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Redbridge Concern for Mental Health unless otherwise specifically stated.