Announcement from the chair

Some of you may have heard on the grapevine but I've just sent out an email to our members, which I'm copying here to let you all know I'm standing down as chair of MHAG. It's been a decision that's taken me a long while to come to and not something I've decided lightly, but I feel it's the best decision for myself and for the group as a whole.

Part of the reason is I've been based in Shropshire for a while now and it's been increasingly difficult to try and run a Redditch-based group from over here. While it's not the other side of the world, running a freelance business and having a toddler are additional complications and it's meant I've often had to turn down meeting requests or opportunities that would have progressed MHAG.

Secondly, we often joked at the start that MHAG was mine and Beccy's baby but I'm now due my second real baby in the spring so I want to take some time out with my little ones while they're still little!

I'm very proud to have been associated with the group and to see the way its members, and the wider Redditch community, have embraced mental health and its importance. I will of course still speak up for mental health and tackling stigma at every opportunity, and I hope at one point to be able to rejoin the group!

Thank you to everyone that's been involved in MHAG up to this point, especially to the working group and Beccy specifically. I've been very lucky to meet so many amazing people through the group, many of whom I hope to remain friends with for a long time to come.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas,

Harriet x

Bridge tragedy

I am beyond saddened to hear of another loss of life at the Bromsgrove Highway bridge. Back in 2012 we were involved in trying to campaign for action to be taken there and sadly weren't successful. It was this which led us on to form MHAG the following year. I was asked as chair to provide a comment to the Redditch Standard which appears in today's paper (available online here). This is the comment in full:

Harriet Ernstsons-Evans, chair of the Redditch Mental Health Action Group, said: "It is tragic another incident has happened which could so easily have been avoided had the county council listened years ago when they were warned of the issues at that location.

"Taking action at the bridge is only part of the solution - but it is an important part. National best practice states locations should be made safer once there have been a number of incidents there and there are examples across the country where action such as caging has reduced the number of lives lost.

"Alongside this we also need to keep focusing on the provision of mental health services and destigmatising mental health, allowing people to come forward and access help when they need it in a timely and appropriate manner.

"But while this is happening, the county council need to urgently reverse their decision not to take action at the bridge. How many lives need to be lost before they think it's important enough to consider? There is a financial cost to caging the bridge but there is a very real human cost in terms of the lives lost and the impact on loved ones and witnesses."

Creating a directory for Redditch

HELP is at hand for Redditch residents wanting to try something new thanks to the creation of a wellbeing directory.

Leaders of the Jigsaw Project, run by the Redditch Mental Health Action Group and Yum Tum Club, are currently putting together the directory with the aim of printing it later this year.

It is then hoped funding can be secured to enable the resource to be updated annually.

The six themes of the Jigsaw Project – which aims to bring together all the aspects of health and wellbeing – are mental health, physical health, food, creativity, community and relationships.

Anything which fits into one or more of the categories, from a friendship group for older people or a sports club to musical offerings and educational courses, can be included in the directory.

Fay Yeng from the Jigsaw Project said: “We want to try and capture as much information as possible about what’s going on in Redditch, so residents can pick up a copy and find something which will not only appeal to them but also enhance their wellbeing.

“In the coming months we will be contacting as many organisations as possible to get information about their courses, activities and meetings to include in the directory. But we would also like to hear from anyone who thinks their group’s information should be in there.”

As well as creating the directory, the Jigsaw Project is all about bringing together the community to promote the good things which happen in Redditch.

Fay added: “We are building a network of support who feel they need a little lift, something to do or a friend. If we unite together we can provide hope to people who feel they need some help, whether it be enabling them to join a group they did not know about previously or access a service which could give them hope for the future.

“It is all about improving the ‘mental wealth’ of the town’s residents – after all, one in four people experience a mental health issue in any one year and everyone has stresses in their life, so we believe Jigsaw can make a real difference.”

To be featured in the directory, all that is needed is the name and short description of the activity, location, dates and times plus a contact name and number. E-mail the information to redditchmhag@gmail.com or call 07788 379389.

Like us over on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to join the growing online Jigsaw community, find out about upcoming events or post about your own.

The Gary and Robert Blues

At MHAG we're thrilled to have always been supported by theatre group Forthright (you may also know them as Jestaminute- and we want to help them as they embark on a crowdfunding project to get their fabulous mental health play The Gary and Robert Blues seen by even more people.

In their words, the play is

"A funny, angry and poignant story of one man using his creation of a new stand-up comedy act to find a path through his confused and damaged mind; and reconnect with the world. Trying to understand his own muddled thinking he looks at the irrational way in which society reacts to mental health issues. Inter cut with a blues music soundtrack, this powerful show is a mix of theatre and stand-up. This is the first in a trilogy of plays we are planning tackling different aspects of mental health.

Whilst we are obviously aiming to progress our artistic ambitions; the play is also important as it raises awareness of mental health issues – particularly those relating to men."

And in the words of their audiences:

".....Educational, emotional and very human..........Thought-provoking, myth-busting and highly recommended viewing." Laura Hughes Ember Counselling.

“pertinent and informative” Paul Milton, creative director at Everyman Theatre, Gloucester.

“.....the actor – Stephan Bessant – gave a brilliant performance which offered significant insights into the experience of mental illness for men.......” .  Pam Morley, senior lecturer, Mental Health Division, Birmingham City University

To pledge your help or find out more, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/forthright-gary/

And for their Facebook page, visit https://www.facebook.com/Forthright-997121107098344/?fref=ts

Thank you!

Mental Health Appeal

At MHAG, we're huge fans of comedienne/counsellor Sheila McMahon who first came to our attention at the comedy Ship O Fools night at the Palace Theatre a couple of years back. She's since brought her own show Sheila's Mental Health Show to the Palace earlier this year and this week she's launched her new appeal. The video explains what it's all about but essentially she's enlisted the help of Sister Mary to take part in a tandem hang-glide to raise money for an online resource to help people with mental health issues. It's a much-needed project and hats off to anyone afraid to face a fear of heights in such a dramatic way to raise cash! If you can spare a few pennies to help Sheila reach her goal then please do, but perhaps more importantly please share the video so even more people get to hear about it!

What's happening at our Easter Monday community barbecue?

It's just a week now until the community barbecue at the Old Needleworks and there's lots of work going on behind the scenes to ensure the event is a success.

So far confirmed we have the food obviously (it will all be food which boosts your mood and makes you feel fab, so hopefully you'll go home with some new recipes ideas!), drumming, a children's dance workshop, the labyrinth (which was funded by MHAG last year), the opportunity to watch jewellery being made plus some opportunities to get creative and think about your own 'mental wealth'.

To give you even more information, here's a copy of the press release we've sent out to the papers today:

 

VOLUNTEERS are hoping their event will sizzle as they host a barbecue with a difference to promote the power of community spirit.
Yum Tum Club and the Redditch Mental Health Action Group have joined forces to create the Jigsaw Project, aimed at getting more organisations working together in Redditch for the benefit of residents' health.
The project is set to highlight activities, courses and meetings on social media, as well as creating a printed directory later this year to inform residents what is going on within the town.
To launch the Jigsaw, a community barbecue will run from 12pm to 3pm on Easter Monday (March 28) at the Old Needleworks on Britten Street. Anyone is welcome to the free event, with representatives from any organisation invited to bring along leaflets or other information to share.
A holistic approach to wellbeing will be promoted by encouraging guests to get involved in activities such as drumming, a children's dance workshop and other 'feel good' activities, with the food being slightly different from normal barbecue food in that the menu has been designed to promote 'improving your food mood' acknowledging the link between eating and mental health.
Fay Yeng from Yum Tum Club said: "The idea of the Jigsaw Project is to bring people together, so what better way to launch it than to host a 'happy food' barbecue creating a platform to talk freely about 'mental wealth'.
"During the project, we hope to show how all aspects of health including mental health and healthy eating fit together like a jigsaw to form an overall picture."
The event has been funded thanks a Redditch Borough Council grant awarded to co-organiser Sue Yeng and there will be opportunities to donate to MHAG or the Jigsaw Project during the day.
To find out more, e-mail redditchmhag@gmail.com or call 07788 379389. Find the project by searching 'The Jigsaw Project' on Facebook or @redditchjigsaw on Twitter. 

Community barbecue

If you've read our last post (here), you'll know the Jigsaw Project is now up and running. To celebrate, we're hosting a community barbecue on Easter Monday. Do come along if you want to try some food, perhaps some activities and have a chat! Let your friends, colleagues and family know and feel free to bring along information about any groups, activities, courses or events you're running.

 

 

The Jigsaw Project

If you've been around at MHAG meetings or on social media/e-mails, you may have heard us talking about the Jigsaw Project. The good news is it is now firmly up and running (it's been going on in the background but we're really giving it a push now!) but what is it?

 

Who's involved?

The Jigsaw Project is the brainchild of Harriet from MHAG and Fay from Yum Tum who wanted to find a way of combining their passions for mental health and food!

 

What is it?

It's a project aimed at engaging everyone in the community and promoting what's already going on and anything new which starts up. The idea behind the name is that all aspects of community and health slot together in a 'jigsaw' - so healthy eating, mental health etc. Whether it's a one-off activity, a group which meets every week or a course, share it with us and we'll share it with everyone. We're sharing what's going on through social media but any longer-term projects will also be promoted through a printed directory to be distributed across the town.

 

How do we get in touch?

E-mail us via at redditchmhag@gmail.com

Call Harriet on 07788 379389

Like 'The Jigsaw Project' on Facebook and message us or get sharing your group/activity on our wall.

 

Anything else?

There will be events associated with the Jigsaw Project going on within Redditch so keep an eye out for more details on those!

 

Thanks,

Harriet and Fay

In The Mind - BBC

It's great to see the BBC doing a season of shows dedicated to mental health as of yesterday (Monday, February 15). First up was The Not So Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive, a follow up ten years on from Stephen Fry's first programme about his mental health issues.

 

The show is available to see on catch up on the BBC online and is well worth a watch for anyone interested in mental health - which, let's be honest should be everyone! It not only tracks Stephen's condition since the initial show, but also catches up with Cordelia who featured in 2006 and explores the stories of others diagnosed with bipolar.

 

One of the people featured was Alika, who was bullied online after a clip was filmed of him singing on the Tube during a manic episode. After a suicide attempt and time in a psychiatric unit, Alika now travels to schools to educate them about the condition. During a chat with some of the students at a particular school, they spoke about how a friend had committed suicide and - whilst they were all keen to speak about it - adults around them encouraged silence. This showed whilst there are still negative attitudes around mental health and suicide, actually people do want to talk about it and perhaps young people are even more willing to chat than those of older generations.

 

A comment from one of the students was particular poignant, she remarked that in the same way your body could be broken, your mind could be too.

 

Visit rachelholly90.wordpress.com to take a look at the blog of one of the people featured on the programme, who jumped from a 50ft balcony and was left paralysed due to her condition.

 

The 'In The Mind' season continues for the next two weeks including a series of special reports on BBC News at Six and News at Ten. A second documentary will air tonight (Tuesday) following the lives of two mothers who experienced postpartum psychosis. My Baby, Psychosis and Me starts at 10.45pm on BBC One.

 

Then tomorrow you can see a repeat of Life After Suicide, also at 10.45pm, followed by Professor Green: Suicide and Me at 11.45pm on Thursday.

 

Let us know what you think of any of the programmes mentioned on Facebook or Twitter (search Redditch Mental Health Action Group or @redditchmhag on Twitter).

Sheila's M.H.S. Mental Health Show

A comment from chair Rebecca about the upcoming Mental Health Show at the Palace Theatre:

"Whether it's speaking to people with mental illness, family and friends affected by it or those working in mental health, we're convinced more must be done to focus on improving mental wellbeing.

"Across Worcestershire we are very concerned about higher than national average rates of depression, self harm and suicide.  At the same time funding is being reduced and services are being cut.

"For the last three years the Redditch Mental Health Action Group has been committed to bringing interested parties together who are seeking to improve existing services, create further support and tackle stigma. 

"Sheila McMahon gave her support to Redditch MHAG in 2014 through her hilarious yet poignant stand up act at the Redditch Palace Theatre.  We are delighted to see her return next month with her very own Mental Health Show.  We know from the success of past performances in Redditch, the arts are an essential route to helping people better understand mental illness and to get people openly discussing their own mental health.  Not only are we looking forward to seeing Sheila's Mental Health Show, we are delighted that she is eager to promote Redditch MHAG too!"

 

The night starts at 7.45pm on Saturday, February 6, in the Room Upstairs at Redditch Palace Theatre. It promises to be great for all attending!

Buy tickets or find out more here.