Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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Welcome
In May of this Year the Minister for Health and Social Services published “Together for
Mental Health: a draft Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Wales”. Since then it has
been subject to a three month consultation which closed on the 31st July 2012.
Publication was the culmination of a significant amount of pre-publication engagement and
collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders; including third sector and statutory sector
services, and a number of service users and carers.
The strategy embraces the promotion of mental health and wellbeing as well as the
improvement of mental health services for those people with a mental health problem or more severe mental illness. It seeks to alter public attitudes to mental health and reduce the
stigma and discrimination frequently directed toward those people with a mental illness.
For the first time in Wales the strategy covers people of all ages. Previously, there have been separate strategies for adults, children and older adults. It is believed that this has been partially responsible for creating obstacles to people moving between services and to
the creation of artificial divisions between services. The Strategy serves to embed the Mental Health Wales Measure 2010 and supports the promotion of mental health across sectors and
in the variety of settings in Wales.
It is a Cross Governmental strategy calling for collaborative approaches across sectors, not least between Health and Local Government but also with justice agencies, employers,
community organisations, faith communities, funding bodies and private organisations.
It is comprised of five chapters:
Better Mental Wellbeing and Preventing Mental Health Problems
A New Partnership with the Public
A Well Designed, Fully Integrated Network of Care
One System to Improve Mental Health
Delivering Better Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH
PROMOTION WALES
Issue 17, August 2012
Working together to improve mental health
and wellbeing
Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Wales:
“Together for Mental Health”
Welcome to Issue 17 of Mental Health Promotion Wales. This Newsletter is for anyone
working or interested in mental health promotion and focuses on sharing ideas and practice examples. To contribute to future editions of the Newsletter please contact Elinor Hammond
Elinor [email protected]
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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It has been supported by the Cabinet of Welsh Government demonstrating the commitment
of Welsh Government to an integrated approach to addressing mental health matters and tackling mental illness in Wales. Subject to Ministerial agreement it is anticipated that the
strategy will be finally published in the autumn and that it will be accompanied by a
supporting delivery plan.
The Mental Health Promotion Network has been significantly involved in shaping the
strategy. A specific mental health promotion network event was held to take stock of key issues to be considered within the consultation process, and a sub group of the Board met to inform the development of the delivery plan outlining strategic priorities for the promotion of
mental health across the life course.
The strategy and its delivery plan will be crucially important in shaping the future work of the Mental Health Promotion Network Board and in the delivery of public mental health
initiatives in Wales over the coming years.
A copy of the draft strategy is available at: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/mhealth/?lang=en
For further information on the strategy and the development of the delivery plan please
contact:
Sian Richards, Strategy Lead Welsh Government, Telephone 029 2082 6523
Email: [email protected]
Phillip Chick Mental Health Development Lead for Wales National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare Member of the Mental Health Promotion Network Board
August 2012
Bangor University is carrying out research to find out whether a programme called „Lifestyle
Matters for Health and Well-Being‟ can help people aged 65 years and over maintain a healthy, happy and fulfilling later life. The programme encourages participation in a range of
activities during weekly meetings supported by a trained facilitator.
The study will be run for people living in different areas in Gwynedd, North Wales. If you would like to find out more about the study you can either visit our website
www.sheffield.ac.uk/lifestylematters, or you can contact a member of the study team,
Cath Brannan on (01248) 388130, [email protected] or
Michelle O‟Brien on (01248) 383188, [email protected]
Lifestyle Matters – Getting more out of life
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National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) Undertakes Research
Research is vital to improving our understanding of mental illness and generating new knowledge, which can lead to better prevention, treatment and support for those affected.
The National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) has been set up to support and undertake high quality mental health research in Wales. Key to this is the Wales Mental Health Network
(WMHN), established by NCMH, which is aiming to recruit 6000 volunteers to take part in research. This includes children (age 4 years and above) and adults, who have experienced:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression
Schizophrenia or Psychosis
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Dementia.
Director of the NCMH, Professor Nick Craddock says,
“The idea is that people won‟t be signing up to take
part in one study, but joining a network – a group of
people who are trying to progress knowledge in mental
health. We will be doing a range of studies over the
years, including identifying genes that may influence or
trigger illness. We‟ll be doing psychological studies
where we look at how people process information and
how people‟s personality varies. We‟ll also be doing
imaging studies where people do tasks inside a brain
scanner so we can look at how different parts of the
brain function.”
As well as the WMHN, the NCMH will also be carrying out a number of other research studies and engaging with patients, families, healthcare professionals and the public to ensure they‟re kept up to date and can contribute to the research.
NCMH is funded by the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR),
Welsh Government, and is hosted by Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
If you‟d like to find out more about NCMH research and resources, or if you‟re interested in volunteering to take part in their research, telephone 029 2074 4392, email [email protected]
or visit: www.ncmh.info.
Professor Nick Craddock
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WIRED: An arts participation project
WIRED, a participatory project which took place at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen, has bought together adults from across Car-
marthenshire recovering from mental health issues. Adults have „dropped in‟ to work with local professional artist and tutor, Julia Griffiths Jones to shape, hammer and twist wire into wired and
wonderful objects.
The project has been a partnership between engage Cymru, Oriel Myrddin and Arts Care where the main aim has been to raise the profile of mental health issues through the visual arts. The participants have used the gallery exhibitions as the
inspiration for creating their own artworks from wire. The starting point was a Crafts Coun-cil Touring Exhibition „Lab Craft‟ and current exhibition „On the
Edge of the World‟.
The participants have learnt new skills, refreshed old ones and
created some stunning artworks which will be exhibited at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales from the 6th October. The exhibition will feature a large communal wire screen, as well as
many individual pieces.
For some the project has been a lifeline. One participant said “I
don‟t know what I‟m going to do after the project finishes, I‟ll be gutted”. For Oriel Myrddin sustainability is a key concern in the project. Mary Sikkel, Edu-
cation Officer at the gallery said “the project for us is about the legacy…how we can con-tinue beyond the timescale of the project”. Indeed, one of the participants has now taken
on a voluntary role at the gallery as assistant technician.
Engage is the leading membership in the UK for galleries and the visual arts. Engage Cymru works across Wales to help promote access, understanding and enjoyment of the visual
arts. For further information about the project visit http://wiredorielmyrddin.wordpress.com. For further information about engage Cymru visit
www.engage.org or email Angela Rogers, Coordinator on [email protected].
Group Therapies to Promote Mental Health in clients with Learning Disabilities
People with learning disabilities (LD) are among the most vulnerable and socially excluded individuals in our society (IAPT: Learning Disabilities Positive Practice Guide, January 2009).
The Foundation for Learning Disabilities estimates that between 25% and 40% of people
with LD also have additional mental health needs.
The Valuing People report, published by the Department of Health (2001) highlighted that most psychiatric disorders are more common among people with LD than in the general
population.
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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Within the Hywel Dda Health Board group therapies are taking place to support clients with
LD and psychological difficulties. Groups have taken place within the Community Team for Learning Disabilities (CTLD) in the Pembrokeshire and Llanelli areas. They will hopefully
begin within the Carmarthen and Ceredigion areas in the new year.
The groups are based on an evidence based cognitive behavioural model adapted for people with LD. They are delivered in a manualised approach and co-facilitated by an Assistant
Psychologist and another member of the CTLD e.g. Behaviour Practitioner or Occupational Therapy Technician. Approximately 8 groups have been held. They have covered Anxiety Management, Anger Management, Bereavement, Building Confidence and Coping with Low
Mood. The clients are actively involved in the groups, some of the tasks within the group involve discussions, role plays, making posters and practicing relaxation skills. Access to
the groups is via a referral to the CTLD, and the clients must have a learning disability.
Reflecting back on her experience of co-facilitating the group, Debbie Mills has received positive feedback from the attendees of the groups. They have developed within their
psychological knowledge and their social skills knowledge. Approximately three groups will continue to be run in each locality every year. It is hoped that this will continue to close the
gap between clients with LD and the generic populations‟ access to psychological services.
Debbie Mills Assistant Psychologist
Carmarthenshire Community Team for Learning Disabilities (CTLD)
Minister sees benefits of art therapy
“The Arts and art psychotherapy can play an important role in a person‟s wellbeing and the healing process” Minister for
Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said when vis-iting. Friday 02 March 2012.
The Minister was visiting the Heddfan unit which provides treatment for adults with mental health issues at Wrexham
Maelor Hospital, to hear about Art Therapy practice, see an art workshop for older persons in action and meet with staff and service users. In her capacity as local Wrexham AM, Lesley
Griffiths, Minister for Health & Social Care, also called by and joined the visit to the older persons mental health unit, where
she spoke with a wife caring for her husband who is currently
in hospital.
Visit to older Persons Unit at Heddfan. Elizabeth Aylett (Head of Arts Therapies) top row right and Emma Ellis (Art Psycho-therapist) second row left. Minister Lewis, Minister Griffiths
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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The work at Heddfan provides art psychother-apy as part of therapeutic treatment offered
and, via the health boards. The Arts in Health & Wellbeing programme, has been working in partnership with `Engage Cymru`, which
brings access to Galleries and Museums into a
hospital setting.
Such projects and some services receive
funding via the Arts Council for Wales and charitable funds. The use of art, music, drama and other therapy can improve patients‟ well-
being by reducing stress levels and boosting
self-confidence.
The Minister said:
“Art can have a positive affect on people who are in a healthcare setting, and provides an-other way for people to express themselves. It is interesting to see how art can help with
stress levels and dealing with illness generally. It was very interesting to see the creative
work being done at Wrexham Maelor.”
Elizabeth Aylett, Head of Arts Thera-
pies, said:
“It was wonderful to welcome Minister
Lewis to the unit today, for him to see at first hand some of the innovative
and important work being done”.
“Whilst providing art and music therapy services at the health board, achieving engagement
with our service users and collaborating with Engage Cymru, Wrexham and Denbighshire County Borough Councils, Arts Council for Wales and arts practitioners is most rewarding
and makes this wider arts portfolio of work possible.”
“It is serving as an exemplar of good practice within Wales, offering benefit to those who
experience mental ill health toward a healthy recovery”.
The art work produced from the Engage Cymru workshops will be displayed at Oriel Wrec-
sam in April.
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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Time to Change Wales
Let’s end mental health stigma and discrimination
You may have recently seen a TV advert in which a character called Dylan returns to work
following a mental health problem only to find his colleagues taking increasingly bizarre steps to avoid discussing the issue with him. This is part of a media campaign by Time to
Change Wales, the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by
people with mental health problems in Wales.
The campaign features print, radio and outdoor advertising along with real life stories from people with mental health problems posted as blog entries on the Time to Change Wales website. The campaign aims to communicate two simple messages: get the facts about
mental health and don‟t be afraid to talk about mental health. Information about mental health including a downloadable booklet of myths and facts, tips for starting a conversation
and information about how you or your organisation can get involved with the campaign to
end stigma can be found at www.timetochangewales.org.uk.
Time to Change Wales is delivered by three leading Welsh mental health charities, Gofal, Hafal and Mind Cymru, and is funded by Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief and the Welsh Gov-
ernment.
Public Health Wales Good Practice Scheme
Could you benefit from gaining support in developing your initiative towards
good practice?
Would you like to raise the profile of your work and gain recognition for your achievements?
Do you believe that there is a benefit to sharing your practice and learning from others practice - that in sharing we succeed?
The All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network in collaboration with the Physical Activ-ity and Nutrition Networks Wales and the All Wales Sexual Health Network are now
accepting submission for the Public Health Wales Good Practice Scheme.
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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Pure Meditation Foundation 6-week Course is starting on the 19th September, 7- 8.30pm at
Chapter, Market Rd, Cardiff. De-stress & Unwind Yoga Classes, Fairwater Methodist Church, Mondays 6.30-8pm.
Healing Clinic for Body & Mind every Tuesday 1pm-4pm at Halcyon Daze Shop, Wellfield Rd, Cardiff For more details call 02920551813, e-mail:[email protected],
visit:www.transform-workplaceyoga.co.uk
Forthcoming Events and Training
Fitness Wales Level 4 Award in Instructing Physical Activity for
Adults with Mental Health Conditions
Pure Meditation Foundation
Fitness Wales have developed a Level 4 Award in Instructing Physical Activity for Adults with
Mental Health Conditions which is suitable for any qualified fitness instructor who works in
this field or in Exercise Referral.
The next course is running in Cardiff in November 2012. Contact [email protected]
for more details.
Place2Be is proud to announce that in 2012/13, its CPCAB accredited Level 3 Certificate in
Counselling Skills for Working with Children (Foundation) course will be running in Cardiff.
If you have any questions regarding The Place2Be and/or the Level 3 Certificate course,
please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected], or phone
02079235558.
Place2Be Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills for Working with Children
(Foundation)
The Public Health Wales Good Practice Scheme is an approach that supports all practitio-
ners, organisations and sectors involved in health promotion, health improvement and community health development initiatives in the fields of nutrition and physical activity,
mental health promotion and sexual health. The scheme consists of a good practice da-tabase, quality mark, awards and provision of support. It rewards good practice and will provide a systematic approach to sharing information about initiatives on the scheme in
order to prevent duplication, enhance learning and enable decisions about what initia-tives to adopt or develop.
The scheme was launched at regional workshops in October and November 2010 follow-ing a successful pilot earlier in the year.
The presentations from the workshops are available to download:
http://www.publicmentalhealth.org/page.cfm?orgid=749&pid=50133
For more information please contact Elinor Hammond on 029 2082 7627
or email [email protected]
Mental Health Promotion Wales Issue 17 August 2012
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Future contributions
If you would like to contribute to future editions of Mental Health Promotion Wales
please contact:
Elinor Hammond
All Wales Mental Health Promotion Coordinator
Public Health Wales
14 Cathedral Road Cardiff
CF11 9LJ
Tel: 029 2022 7744
Email: [email protected]