Key information

Progress of recent mental health legislation with contact information about training available so that voluntary organisations can try to get involved. Beware there are still obstacles!

An outline of Independent Meantal Health Advocacy with interactive discussion

An update on the progress of developing a national advocacy qualification

Key reports on the state of mental health and services provided

2007 survey of the state of mental health in England and Wales

A census on mental health in England and Wales, 2005

National Institute for Mental Health in England

An update on mental health legislation

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provided for Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) to be appointed for anyone unable to make decisions for themselves because they lacked the mental capacity to do so at the time. This was also if they lacked a friend or relative to help them. The site provides further useful links.

World Health Organisation report highlights mental health and depression as being one of the major threats to well being in the 21st Century

Individual publications and lists

A range of publications including those directed at specific needs of refugees etc.

Inspection reports and guidelines for carers etc.

CSCI website contains guidance and information on a range of services, including caring. Reports of providers of social care are available.

Organisations offering training

Offers a range of training opportunities and support for advocacy organisations and advocates

Action for Advocacy has been commissioned to provide IMCA training courses in England and Wales. This site show course dates for 2008

Trains people to be able to manage their own long-term conditions, also helps carers

Course includes looking at health in a multicultural society

Training for Mental Health in the Community

Funding bodies interested in community or voluntary organisations (the "third sector"), building capacity or health and wellbeing projects.

Capacity Builders funded this "Change up" project to help organisations across the West Midlands access commissioning opportunities.

Supports projects aimed at social justice.

Concerned with supporting thos marginalised in society.

Fund people under the "Can Do" scheme.

BME and mental health both listed aspriorities

BME and race relations listed

Some funding for more than 1 year and small grants

Section on developing communities

Supports user-led mental health schemes and support for refugees and asylum seekers

BVSC offers a range of courses, networking and job vacancies in the voluntary sector

Funds community-based activities in Birmingham. Need to apply when funds are available.

Funds community programmes. Currently West Midlands Manager is not in place. Grants won't be considered until the post is filled, expected after April 2008

A major stated government aim. But where is the evidence that things are improving in providing quality mental health services to bme communities?

Delivering Race Equality is a key plank in the government's delivery of effective mental health services. It is also integral to the "Talk to Us" Project.

A major piece of research still in need of implementation. It has been left to Black groups in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Birmingham to carry on unresourced. Meanwhile they pick up cases of Black people with mental health problems being beaten up in custody etc. etc.

Black Information Link questions mental health policies and why recommendations from reports like that of David "Rocky" Bennett are ignored

Article in The Stirrer

NIMHE are part of CSIP and involved in the Delivering Race Equality agenda

Birmingham and Solihull Mental health Trust address diversity. This site tells how.

A Rowntree Trust Report, 2001 of perceptions and experience of counselling by Asian people

A 2006 report which refers to the "invisibility" of those with mental health problems

Social work experience working with Arab communities in Middle East and in western nations.

Fanon's writings are key to understanding colonialism and its psychological legacy on those who endure it. In particular the dehumanisation process which contributes to poor mental health among bme communities

As Fanon demonstrated people who faced a history of colonial rule have been denied access to information about their own roots. This can be an important contribution to help mental wellbeing

An archive of local history of communities in Birmingham

A site devoted to Anglo-Sikh heritage

Local authorities across the West Midlands are making their own arrangements for commissioning services

PCTs which commission health services across the West Midlands

The Prospectus for 2008 shows priorities for commissioning and criteria. Applications are now closed

Three authorities jointly commissioned PoHwer to provide IMCA services in April 2007. Small organisations were not in a position to involve themselves at the time.

Worcestershire and Herefordshire arrangements for IMCA services

Three authroities have jointly commissioned IMCa services from PoHwer who conducted a pilot project in Hertfordshire

Stoe-on-Trent and Staffordshire have enlisted ASIST to prvide INCA services

To help more people recognise when there are signs of things going wrong and encourage them to act.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust

Sandwell Mental health Trust and Social Care

A national organisation with local services and a wide range of publications

A national organisation with local offices. Rethink reported to us that referrals of members of BME communities was far lower than expectations. They have concerns about this and welcome the involvement of community-based organisations

News items and information about research into mental health

This site gives information on depression, causes and treatment advice

A description of mental health problems

Aware is an organisation which helps recognise symptoms of depression and help support sufferers.

For reference

The 1983 Mental Health Act is a basis for current legislation so it is importent for individuals and organisations to know its content thoroughly

Helping in recognising a range of conditions or disorders affecting mental wellbeing

A directory of agencies offering adviceand support across the West Midlands

A US site addressed at recognising signs that someone might attempt to take their own life.

Certain groups of people are particularly at risk of mental health problems. In some cases organisations focus on those groups

NICE information about the situations expectant and new mothers can experience

Although associated with age it is not only elders who are affected.

A common form of dementia, but not the only one

Stress and mental health problems affect young people greatly yet services are often difficult to access or overstretched

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support Service national guide to services

News and information on Every Child Matters

Reports and publications connected with the Every Child Matters strategy

A report shows that boys have a higher rate of mental health problems than girls

The National Service Framework for ensuring thegood health of children - mental health section

Advice on dealing with the effects of substance misuse.

Particularly prevalent among groups who have witnessed wars and conflict in countries of origin, often of close relatives and friends

Reaching Out. an action Plan for Social Exclusion

Work with people caught up in a cycle of poor mental health and a bureaucratic system

A Sainsbury's Centre for Mental Health report shows that courts fail to offer mental health support to offenders outside prison.

Campaigns about mental health issues

Rethink campaign for issues around mental health and carers. They supported a drive for talking therapies

A Sainsbury Foundation report has criticised the NHS for failing to implement recommendations on making talking therapies available for mental health

Many sent to prison have mental health needs, vulnerable women and young people among them. The deaths of black people in custody and the failure of families to get justice is a major issue.

Many people advance a range of therapies to advance mental well-being. Beware there are bogus practitioners out there willing to exploit people at their most vulnerable. It's big business in India and elsewhere!

CSIP recommendations in response to 2005 election manifesto to give a choice of treatment and provide work opportunities

Information about psychotherapy

Good mental health and diet are related. This site says how,

It has been recommended anyone suffering depression should be prescribed exercise to counter the huge rise in prescription of drugs.

This article discusses diet and mood: how what we eat affects our mental well-being

Many believe that gardens and plants can be restorative. Allotments and gardens are features of inner cities like Birmingham.

The use and misuse of drugs is an issue frequently in the news. While they may be necessary, the manufacturers are happy to supply even if they are unnecessary or inappropriate to treatment - often when talking therapies are unavailable. They also fail to get to the root causes of illness.

Anti-depressants have been found to be largely ineffective in treating depression, but they have side effects which can actually add to a patient's problems.

An article from The Stirrer with comments from a mental health consultant

These organisations exist either in, or serve the North West area of Birmingham, including Handsworth, Winson Green, Aston and Perry Barr providing culturally sensitive advocacy and counselling services in a range of languages

CMHSS member in NW Birmingham, Maxine Alridge is the contact person at the centre on the Dudley Road

CMHSS member in NW Birmingham. Contact Pat Mottram

CMHSS member in NW Birmingham Ashok Patel is the contact,. People with serious mental health problems are treated as members of a family and help is given with housing and employment

The Asian Rationalist society (Britain) is a member of the North West Birmingham Community Mental Health support Services

CMHSS member also have a centre at Henderson House on Hamstead Road, Handsworth 0121 551 7984. Ask for Camille ade-John or Aiysha Aliyu

CMHSS member on Soho Road, Handsworth. Health Exchange. Contact Dilbagh Dhami

CMHSS member in Winson Green, David George is the contact person

SCYS UK set up the "Talk to Us" Project and the CMHSS (Community Mental Health Support Services)

CMHSS member in NW Birmingham. Dorothy Vuong is the contact.

CMHSS member in NW Birmingham based on Rookery Road. Contact Usha Khera or Thofar Ahmad (counsellor)

The Asian Rationalist Society (Britain)held a Health Conference at the Community Fire Station in Hansdworth in October 2004

Includes Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley

Member of implementation group "Breaking the Circles of Fear".

Mental Health centre in Wolverhampton

These organisations are working with bme and migrant workers in rural areas

Age Concern are involved in research into bme communities in Worcestershire and have links with Herefordshire.

Hereford Diocese covers Herefordshire and South Shropshire. They have concerns about the welfare of migrant workers in the area.

These organisations deal with a range of issues which can assist with mental health needs eg housing, employment, discussing issues etc.

An advocacy organisation based in Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham

Gives a wide range of help and advice on immigration, legal matters, housing etc. in a range of languages.

Works on issues such as migration and racism

The organisation gives help and advice on immigration, legal matters, housing, education, benefits etc.

If you feel so inclined and want to develop your website, or add to this one, this gives you information how to go about it

This Essex site shows in detail processes in setting up and developing websites like this