OCD Awareness Week: Picture your OCD

October 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm

Update: the next meeting of Bristol’s OCD Social Support Group mentioned at the foot of this article has been set for Tuesday 26 November between 20:00 – 21:30, at the Rose & Crown, 11 Two Mile Hill, Kingswood, BS15 1BH. For more information, please email Tracy at her email address mentioned below. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (‘OCD’) Awareness Week is just around the corner, and one of BIMHN’s members has asked us to pass on details of OCD Action’s most recent news article about a project they are supporting, Picture Your OCD. 

The Picture Your OCD project invites people to submit a photograph or short video from a first-person’s perspective that visually expresses their experience of OCD. The photo or video should be anonymous; i.e. not showing your face. This project is intended to raise awareness of OCD, and the different ways it can affect people’s lives. If you’d like to get involved, head to www.pictureyourocd.org, for more information about the project and how you can contribute.

BIMHN are supporting Tracy, one of the trustees of the Independent Mental Health Network, with her work in setting up a local OCD Social Support Group. Following on from Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a very successful open discussion event that took place earlier this year, Tracy is looking to hold further meet-ups.

If you are interested in Tracy’s work, or would like to attend the next meeting (provisionally set for November), please feel free to email Tracy directly at tracy_tainton[@]yahoo.co.uk (taking out the brackets from the email address).

October 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm | News | No comment

Bank of Ireland Signs Time to Change Employer Pledge

October 10, 2019 at 1:13 pm

Today, on World Mental Health Day 2019, Bank of Ireland signed up to the Time to Change Employer Pledge at its offices at Temple Quay, Bristol. In attendance were employees of the Bank, members of the Bank’s leadership team, representatives from the Time to Change Bristol hub, and Bristol City Council.

Furthering the reach of the Time to Change Employer Pledge is one of the aims of the Time to Change Bristol hub. The hub is a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the city of Bristol.

Over 1,200 organisations, collectively employing over 2 million people, have now signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge nationally. Bank of Ireland have signed the pledge today to show their commitment to the launch of their company-wide wellbeing offer, at all of their offices across the England, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

This picture shows David Carrie (Director of Operations, Bank of Ireland – centre) holding the newly signed Employer Pledge, with others including Tom (far left) and Lynn (far right) from the Time to Change Bristol Hub.

 

The Time to Change Bristol hub is lead by the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN); the Bristol branch of the Independent Mental Health Network.

Independent Mental Health Network CEO, Tom Renhard, said:

We are really pleased to have joined the Bank of Ireland on World Mental Health Day for the signing of the Time to Change Employer Pledge. It signals their commitment to this agenda and it is great to hear of the important work that has already started within the organisation to challenge mental health stigma and encourage people to open up about their mental health in a supportive environment.

The Time to Change Bristol hub look forward to working with the Bank of Ireland in the coming months and years to support them on their journey. If you work for an organisation that hasn’t yet signed the Employer Pledge, please do get in touch with the hub by emailing us at ttcbristol[@]gmail.com.

Notes to editors:

What is the Time to Change Bristol Hub?

The Hub are a group of organisations who have come together to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the city of Bristol.

The lead partner of the Hub is the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network, a branch of the Independent Mental Health Network, which is a membership-lead organisation for those with lived experience of mental health. The Hub is supported by Rethink (Bristol), Wellbeans Initiative, Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol, and Bristol City Council. 

Find out more about the Hub here.

 

What is the Time to Change Employer Pledge?

The Time to Change Employer Pledge is a commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace. The Pledge is organised by Time to Change, a national campaign committed to campaigning against mental health stigma.

Over 1,200 organisations, employing over 2 million people, have now signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. The Employer Pledge is free of charge and available to organisations based in England.

October 10, 2019 at 1:13 pm | News, Time to Change | No comment

World Mental Health Day 2019 – in Bristol and Beyond!

October 7, 2019 at 3:20 pm

World Mental Health Day takes place annually on 10th October, bringing national and international attention to mental illness and what it means for those living with mental health difficulties worldwide. There are always a rich variety of independently-organised events recognising and celebrating the day, and this year is no exception. This year, the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network have compiled a guide to the events taking place in Bristol and the immediate surrounding area that have a focus on mental health, or have been specifically organised to recognise World Mental Health Day.

For more information about any of the events or activities listed below, click on the event title to take you to a webpage that will provide more information.

 

Community Access Support Service (CASS) Bristol – Social Media Posters – 7th – 11th October

For World Mental Health Day this year, CASS have partnered with some local organisations to produce posters promoting their peer-support services. Watch out for these posters appearing on Twitter and Facebook, and throughout the city, from October 7th.

 

World Mental Health Day at Origin Workspace – Thursday 10th October – Origin Workspace

A day of events and activities dedicated to wellness and taking care of mental wellbeing, taking place at Origin Workspace, in Berkeley Square, near Clifton.

 

Reflection — A Curated art exhibition of mirrors – Thursday 10th – Sunday 20th October – Left Handed Giant Brewpub

Maya & Safehouse Present, in partnership with Off The Record, Bristol Mind & Left Handed Giant, Reflection – A Curated art exhibition of mirrors. This exhibition, featuring work from Artists, Illustrators, Designers, Sign Writers and Graffiti Artists, will be fundraising for Off The Record and Bristol Mind.

 

Dawn Till Dusk – Thursday 10th October – Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare

Warriors of Wellbeing and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership are organising a day of activity to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2019.

  • 07:15: Dawn Dawgs Walk – a walk from Royal Sands along Weston beach. Richard and rescue dog Roobi, will be highlighting the mental health benefits of fresh air, exercise and contact with our four-legged friends. Please join us for the walk, chat about mental health and bring your furry friend too!
  • 18:15: Sunset Guided Mindfulness – a guided mindfulness session at the end of Clevedon Pier.
  • 18:45: Wellbeing Music Parade – follow the Ambling Brass Band along Clevedon seafront to the Salthouse Pub.
  • 19:00: Mental Matters Pub Quiz – hosted at the Salthouse Pub Clevedon, all proceeds from this quiz go towards future mental health events and patient care. £1 entry.

 

Clothes Swap – Thursday 10th October – The Canteen, Stokes Croft, Bristol

Fancy refreshing your wardrobe? Changes Bristol are hosting a clothes swap, to co-incide with World Mental Health Day. £5 entry – all proceeds help Changes Bristol fund mental health services. For more information, take a look at the official Facebook event, linked in the title above.

 

Second Step Community Rehabilitation Service – Celebratory Event – Thursday 10th October – The Station Bristol

The Community Rehabilitation Service will is holding a celebratory event on World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2019, for clients, staff and friends at The Station in central Bristol.

 

Dark Room: The Unseen Taboo: Discussion Event – Thursday 10th October – 14:00 – 16:00 – The Students’ Union at UWE, Frenchay Campus

Join students and Project Zazi (Off the Record’s BME youth mental health initiative) who will be creating a safe and inclusive space to discuss mental health in Black communities.

 

Fishing for Wellbeing – Starting Thursday 10th October

A new active wellness course, Fishing for Wellbeing, delivered by the Bristol Active Life Project, starts this World Mental Health Day.

 

Portishead Hopewalk – Saturday 12th October – 18:00 – 20:00 – Portishead

We are Aware, in association with Papyrus, are staging a lantern-lit Hopewalk around the Marine Lake grounds in Portishead to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health. The walk will be joined by the The Ambling Band.

 

Mental Wealth Lab – Wednesday 16th October – 18:00 – 21:00 – Bristol Business School, UWE Frenchay

Ben Smith, from the401challenge, will deliver a talk as part of the UWE Bristol Mental Wealth Lab Initiative, discussing his experience of mental ill-health.

 

Celebrating World Mental Health Day – Open Discussion Event – Friday 18th October 13:00 – 15:00 – Old Market

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church will be holding an event at Fi Real Restaurant, Old Market, discussing the stigma surrounding anxiety and depression, mental health discrimination, and different types of mental health conditions. For more information, take a look at the poster for the event.

 

October 7, 2019 at 3:20 pm | News | No comment

Volunteering opportunities with the Independent Mental Health Network

October 2, 2019 at 11:47 am

BIMHN is the Bristol branch of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN), which represents a diverse community of past, current and future users of mental health services, as well as those with lived experience of mental health. By working together, we believe that we can be a force for positive change in the way that mental health is treated, perceived, and recognised.

As the network grows, we are looking for volunteers to join us and bring new skills and experience to the table. We have two different roles, which will greatly contribute to the work and projects that IMHN are involved with: Content Creators and Event Assistants. Both roles are a great opportunity to experience working with a growing start-up mental health charity.

Within both of these roles, there will also be the opportunity to support a campaign we are launching later this year focused on suicide prevention. This will see activities organised across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire encouraging people to open up about mental health and find out more about support they can access.

Role: Content Creators

We are looking to increase the range, diversity and frequency of our original content across multiple platforms. This includes our monthly newsletters, opportunity mailouts, website content including blog posts and news articles, and social media accounts.

Typical tasks would include researching and writing content for our websites and newsletters (this may include news items, blogs, comments on policy pieces) and drafting posts for social media.

What do we offer?

  • Experience in developing content for different platforms.
  • Visibility of content you post to an audience of thousands of people.
  • The opportunity to develop your skills and experience for use on your CV.
  • A reference letter confirming the skills you developed with us and the number of hours you volunteered for.

Role: Event Assistants

We are looking to increase the range, diversity and frequency of our events across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Currently we run several successful events and meetings across the area. These include:

  • Mental Health Conversations
  • Monthly Member Meetings
  • Panel discussions
  • Engagement activities through the Time to Change Campaign

Typical tasks would include assisting with event planning, promotion and evaluation; supporting attendees at events to ensure that they have the best experience possible; and supporting the development of an annual events cycle.

What do we offer?

  • Experience in running events and understanding the event planning cycle
  • Experience in project coordination.
  • Experience in understanding the policy landscape that mental health operates in.
  • The opportunity to develop your skills and experience for use on your CV.
  • A reference letter confirming the skills you developed with us and the number of hours you volunteered for.

Getting involved: what do we need from you?

  • The expected commitment is between 2 and 4 hours per week, which can be flexible to fit around other commitments (including studies).
  • Ability to work to deadlines.
  • Ability to absorb and interpret information.
  • Ability to be able to work as part of a team and communicate with others effectively.

Interested?

Send an email with your CV and a short covering letter (up to one side of A4) on why you would like to volunteer with us, what you would bring to the role and what you hope to get out of the role. Please send completed expressions to engagement[@]imhn.org.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, we would be happy to hear from you.

October 2, 2019 at 11:47 am | Opportunities | No comment

Time to Talk about Mental Health : OCD & Pure OCD

September 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm

One in four people are affected by mental health problems every year. But not everyone feels comfortable discussing their mental health with their doctor, or even family and friends. Many struggle on alone and find it hard to access the help they need. The Time to Change campaign aims to change this, by reducing the stigma around talking about mental health conditions, helping people to share their experiences, and finding the most appropriate support.

Members of the public, including Lockleaze & Horfield Councillor Gill Kirk, attended an event at the Old Library on Muller Road on Monday 29th July. Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was organised by Tracy Tainton, herself living with an OCD diagnosis, and was supported by the local Time to Change Champions Fund in partnership with OCD Action and the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN).

The event was an initial discussion workshop looking at what it’s like to live with OCD and how this condition can be mis-portrayed in the media. A type of anxiety disorder, OCD is experienced in the form of obsession with intensely negative, repetitive and intrusive thoughts, fear of harm, and/or compulsive patterns of behaviour to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts. It is not just about cleanliness or neatness, and many people tend to over-use the term ‘OCD-ish’ without understanding the distressing and debilitating nature of the disorder in its severest form.

This workshop was a relaxed opportunity to chat in small groups, listen to people with lived experience of OCD with family members and friends who support them. Tracy Tainton, who is also a trustee of IMHN, said:

Thank you to everyone who contributed to a frank and open discussion around OCD, especially those who were very open about their diagnosis. Being candid can be so hard and fearful for sufferers: a big well done. Next step is to look at setting up a peer-support / social group in Bristol specifically for those with lived experience of OCD.

The Independent Mental Health Network also campaigns to ensure that local mental health services provide the best possible care and access for patients, with input from service users themselves, and for there to be greater parity of esteem between mental and physical health. If you would like to know more about the Independent Mental Health Network, or the work of their Bristol branch, BIMHN, then please email engagement[@]imhn.org (taking out the brackets in the email address).

The aim of this event was to gauge interest in an OCD support / social group. Tracy is delighted to report that there has been an initial session of this organised for Tuesday 24th September at 7.30pm on the Gloucester Road (exact location to be confirmed). If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please email Tracy at tracy_tainton[@]yahoo.co.uk (taking out the brackets from the email address) .

 

 

 

September 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm | News | No comment

Shape the future of mental health services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire!

July 14, 2019 at 12:15 am

Thank you to everyone that took part in our survey and shared their experiences. This survey has now closed.

 

Have you accessed mental health support in the area?

Attempted to, but not been successful?

Caring for, or supporting someone else with lived experience of mental health?

 

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) are the local body responsible for ensuring delivery of mental health services. They have begun a review of mental health services across the combined three areas. As part of this, BIMHN wants to ensure that people who have lived experience of accessing mental health support (either personally, or as a carer for someone who has) are able to share experiences  their experiences and feed into this review.

Our Survey

We have launched a survey to gather feedback about what’s working well, what’s not and what would make the biggest difference to the area’s mental health services in years to come.

The survey is closes on Friday 9th August. 

As a thank you, there is the option to enter a prize draw to win one of 15 £25 One4All gift card vouchers.

Mental Health Conversations

Additionally, there are two feedback-gathering Mental Health Conversations events taking place, at:

All are welcome. The events are free, but please register your place by clicking the links above. Mental Health Conversations have always been very well attended, with spaces often running out in advance, so be quick!

Want to get involved in a different way? Email us at engagement[@]imhn.org so we can have a chat.

July 14, 2019 at 12:15 am | News | No comment

Lifting the Myth of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Open Discussion Event – Monday 29th July

June 28, 2019 at 1:30 pm

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and mis-portrayed in the media. You’ve seen people on TV or in films being portrayed as having OCD, and it looks like it’s a funny, eccentric and harmless condition. That’s what you come away with after watching Jack Nicholson in “As Good As It Gets” or the private detective, Monk in the TV detective series of the same name.

But it’s not funny, and people who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can often lead distressed, restricted and sometimes damaged lives – unless they know where to get help.

Lifting the Myth of OCD is an initial discussion workshop which aims to bring together those with lived experience of OCD, their loved ones, and those who know nothing of OCD but would like to know more.

Tracy Tainton, event organiser and trustee of the Independent Mental Health Network, said:

“The condition is poorly understood and often poorly diagnosed. There’s a social stigma that goes with it that’s totally without justification. Eccentric behaviours like being neat and tidy, frequent handwashing, or avoiding dirt and germs are what most people think of, but OCD is a real mental health condition, which can be managed and treated with talking therapies and sometimes prescription drugs. We need to recognise it for what it is and get people the help that works for them.”

The session will take place on Monday 29th July, between 18:00 – 21:00, at the Old Library, Muller Road, Eastville, BS5 6XP. The event is free but spaces are limited – please book your place here.

 

June 28, 2019 at 1:30 pm | News | No comment

Join us for BIMHN’s next Monthly Meeting – Monday 10th June

June 5, 2019 at 9:07 pm

The next monthly meeting of the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network will take place on Monday 10th June, between 13:00 – 15:30, at St James Priory (near Bristol Bus Station). You are welcome to come along and join us for light refreshments before the meeting starts (served from 12:30).

Monthly meetings are where our members come together to discuss matter relating to mental health that are important to them. There will also be updates of ongoing projects, and guest speakers may be scheduled.

Members will have been sent a notification and documents relating to the meeting to their email addresses. If you think you should have received this but haven’t, please contact us.

Note: we would like to emphasise the importance of attending meetings to ensure that your views are heard. If you can’t make any meetings and want to let us know about your experiences of mental health services, please contact us. You don’t need to sign up or ‘RSVP’ for meetings in advance; the only condition to attendance is membership of BIMHN.

June 5, 2019 at 9:07 pm | News | No comment

Mental Health and Housing Working Group – Reports and Recommendations

May 13, 2019 at 12:31 pm

The Mental Health and Housing Working Group (a partnership of the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (‘BIMHN’), Second Step and local homelessness agencies) have today published a report calling for changes to homeless policy. 

A key recommendation of the report is that homeless policy in Bristol must prioritise mental health support. 80% of people who are homeless report having a mental health problem.

The five key recommendations to Bristol city leaders are that they must:

  • Ensure a joined up citywide approach to the homeless problem involving expert organisations and people with lived experience;
  • Protect mental health support services to help reduce risk of homelessness;
  • Ensure Housing First is an option for people with more complex needs;
  • Increase expertise in dealing with the dual diagnosis of mental health and drug and/or alcohol problems;
  • Educate landlords about mental health risks and housing options for people with mental health problems so they can intervene early.

Tom Renhard, Chief Executive of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) said:

“The report’s recommendations are authentic and rooted in the views and lived experience of people who use mental health services, which is why city leaders need to hear what we are saying and implement changes”.

The Mental Health and Housing Working Group: Report & Recommendations May 2019 is available to download here. The file format is .pdf. The report appendices are available here.

Notes: BIMHN is the Bristol branch of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN). IMHN is a charity that represents a diverse community of past, current and future users of mental health services; as well as those with lived experience of mental health. We work together for positive change in the way that mental health is treated, perceived, and recognised.

May 13, 2019 at 12:31 pm | News | No comment

Join us for BIMHN’s next Monthly Meeting – Monday 13th May

May 7, 2019 at 9:06 pm

The next monthly meeting of the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network will take place on Monday 13th May, between 13:00 – 15:30, at St James Priory (near Bristol Bus Station). You are welcome to come along and join us for light refreshments before the meeting starts (served from 12:30).

Monthly meetings are where our members come together to discuss matter relating to mental health that are important to them. There will also be updates of ongoing projects, and guest speakers may be scheduled.

Members will have been sent a notification and documents relating to the meeting to their email addresses. If you think you should have received this but haven’t, please contact us.

Note: we would like to emphasise the importance of attending meetings to ensure that your views are heard. If you can’t make any meetings and want to let us know about your experiences of mental health services, please contact us. You don’t need to sign up or ‘RSVP’ for meetings in advance; the only condition to attendance is membership of BIMHN.

May 7, 2019 at 9:06 pm | News | No comment

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