Rethink Mental Illness Manchester Group

What a week it's been. On Wednesday, the much awaited report from the Schizophrenia Commission was released. The Commission, which led an independent inquiry into the state of care for people with schizophrenia and psychosis in England is calling for a widespread overhaul of the system. We are super proud to say that our Chair, Lindsey Cree, went on BBC Breakfast TV to talk about her experience of caring for her son who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, to highlight the report's launch. In a society where it's not easy to talk about mental illness, let alone one as stigmatised as schizophrenia, it's so brave of Lindsey to have gone on national television and speak out. Lindsey gives so much of her time to our group, and to Rethink Mental Illness nationally, and we'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to her for all her work - she is an inspiration. And back to The Schizophrenia Commission, which was established in 2011 by the charity Rethink M...

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14th November from 6 – 7.45pm at Manchester Carers Centre . As well as having a cup of tea, bite to eat and a good catch up, we’ve got a third year student mental health nurse, who currently works on an acute ward, coming to chat with us to find out more about carers. If you are travelling by public transport or by foot, a ‘walking bus’ will leave from the taxi rank at Manchester Piccadilly station at 5.30pm. Please call Lindsey Cree on 07757 082976 to let us know to wait for you. If you are travelling by car then free parking is available on Pollard Street after 6pm.

Researchers at the University of Manchester are now planning a new research study to help families where there is a parent with severe mental health difficulties. The researchers would like to hear about the experiences of families with a child of up to around 10 years of age who might be having difficulty in bringing them up. Are you a parent with a severe mental health difficulty? Or are you are a family member helping to support someone with mental health difficulties to raise their children e.g. a grandparent or other family carer? Would you be prepared to spend an hour with a researcher either in-person or by phone discussing your views and experiences to help us design a good study aimed at helping others? Confidentiality will be respected. Local travel expenses will be reimbursed and you are offered payment of £10 as a token of appreciation. For further details or to arrange a discussion please  contac...

To mark the day, our national charity Rethink Mental Illness has launched a new guide, No Decision About Us Without Us, on how you can have a voice and ensure that local commissioners understand the needs of the communities they serve, especially within the NHS reforms which are due to come in next April. The guide has been coproduced with the Government and links to the Mental Health Strategy Implementation Framework that was launched this summer. To read the full story and download the guide visit the Rethink Mental Illness Website . It's also our monthly meeting tonight at Manchester Carers Centre from 6 - 7.45pm. Professor of Child and Family Psychology, Rachel Calam, is coming to talk to us about a new research study to help families where there is a parent with severe mental health difficulties. We'll put up a separate post about the research study.

It's time for our monthly meet up this Wednesday 12th September. As normal we'll be getting together from 6-7.45pm at Manchester Carers Centre. Anyone is welcome to come along - just turn up. We'll have a few light snacks and drinks, catch up on how everyone is and hear from a speaker. If you're coming by public transport and would like to walk to the Carers Centre with us then we run a 'walking bus' from the taxi rank at Manchester Piccadilly station leaving at 5.30pm - please call Lindsey Cree on 07757 082 976 to let us know you will be coming.

Lindsey Cree is a carer, Involvement Worker with Rethink Mental Illness, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, Trainer, Counsellor in private practice, Researcher with Manchester University. She writes here about a recent radio internveiw Lindsey addressing a recent RMCIA event As Chair of Rethink Manchester Carers In Action (RMCIA) I write our monthly newsletter and email it to our contacts. Those on our mailing list are a varied bunch – carers, service users, mental health organisations, professionals and local media/newspapers. Our August 2012 newsletter focussed on a wellbeing and fundraising event to raise funds to give our carers a treat, and was picked up by BBC Radio Manchester who telephoned me to ask if I would come in a few days later and give a 30 minute Live interview about our carers group, how I got involved, and our upcoming event. I immediately knew this was an excellent opportunity to talk to the general public about severe mental illness. I had never sp...

"As carers of someone with a severe mental illness, we tend to put ourselves last. Today is about celebrating our role and having some fun." These words from our Chair, Lindsey Cree, pretty much sum up the Fundraising and Wellbeing day we had at Manchester Carers Centre on Tuesday. I really enjoyed talking to all the stall holders about the services their organisations provide. Sometimes it can feel as if we're on our own but there are many people out there to help us through advocacy, counselling, therapy, training or just a friendly ear. It's good to be reminded of this sometimes. I didn't get the chance to take up one of the many workshops on offer but I know lots of people enjoyed a hand massage, or mini makeover or even a self confidence counselling session. We all need a bit of me time! We're thrilled to bits that the event raised £250 for Rethink Manchester Carers in Action. We are 100% volunteer run so all that will go towards helping menta...