BIMHN members gathering views on mental health apps to help improve local crisis care
February 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Members of the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network are currently working on a project to improve support and care pathways for those experiencing a mental health crisis in Bristol.
In order to investigate how the support that is being offered can be improved, we have launched a survey asking about peoples’ experiences and views about mobile apps that aim to support and improve mental health and wellbeing. Mobile phone apps can be used by people experiencing a mental health crisis. Sometimes, apps can be shared or suggested by mental health professionals to people experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis.
The survey can be found by clicking the following link: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MentalHealthApps.
We are encouraging people with all kinds of lived experience of mental health, including people that support those with mental health difficulties, to take part in the survey.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this project, or would like to hear more about how you can get further involved, please email bimhn[at]imhn.org (removing the square brackets from the email address).
February 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm | News | No comment
Christmas Mental Health Services Guide 2019
December 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Please note: this item was posted ahead of the Christmas 2019 period. The information contained in the guide mentioned below is therefore outdated.
BIMHN are pleased to share the news that this year’s Christmas Mental Health and Wellbeing Services guide has been published. This guide outlines the services providing wellbeing and mental health support available to people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire period over the Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020 period.
The guide has been produced with input from BIMHN members, in collaboration with members of Clarity-North Somerset Independent Mental Health Network. This year’s guide follows on from the success of last year’s guide in helping people and communities navigate what is available at this time of this year.
Included is information about services operating over the seasonal period, making note of any changes to opening or operating times, and contact details. It brings together information about mental health support from both NHS and voluntary & community sector partners that can be accessed. Also included are details of national crisis and helplines.
You can view or download a copy of the guide on the Independent Mental Health Network’s website, here.
December 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm | News | 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
Bristol Mental Health Services for Children & Young People
August 13, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Bristol CCG have co-produced a directory of mental health services for children and young people in Bristol.
The directory aims to serve as a “single ‘go to’ place for information about children and young people’s emotional health in Bristol.”
Bristol CCG notes in its publication: “It provides a place for children and young people, their families and professionals to get quick, easy and direct access to up-to-date mental health information, including:
• Clear, accurate information about support and services available in Bristol
• Information about a range of common mental health problems such as anxiety and stress
• Self-help tools and information including downloadable resources.”
It has been developed as part of a “five year transformation plan” for children and young people’s mental health services, which is taking place after the publication of the government’s report Future In Mind.
Future In Mind
This follows on from the government’s 2015 report Future In Mind, which called for changes in the way future services are delivered.
The report covers five themes:
- Promoting resilience, prevention and early intervention
- Improving access to effective support – a system without tiers
- Care for the most vulnerable
- Accountability and transparency
- Developing the workforce
Locally this has seen changes to mental health services in Bristol, however whether the effects of these changes will lead to long-lasting improvements for Bristol’s children and young people remains to be seen, with recent reports noted that Eating Disorder Services for children and young people are under huge pressure, with only 18% seen within the four week target time compared with a national average of 75%.
Links to the Directory and further information about Bristol’s Emotional and Mental Health Wellbeing Plan can be found below.
Click here to go to the Directory
Click here to see more information about Bristol’s Emotional and Mental Health Wellbeing Plan
Click here to see a guide to children and young people’s emotional health services
August 13, 2017 at 5:18 pm | News | No comment
Mental health services Christmas opening times
December 2, 2016 at 7:37 pm
In partnership with Bristol Anti-Stigma Alliance (BASA), Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG, BIMHN have been involved in the co-production of a guide to Christmas opening times of mental health services in Bristol.
We recognise that the Christmas period can be especially difficult for some, and we hope this guide will be of help.
We will be distributing hard copies of the guide with partners at Cabot Circus on Saturday 3rd December, between 10 am and 4 pm.
You can find the digital version of the guide here.
December 2, 2016 at 7:37 pm | News | No comment