December Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Last month at the November meeting we had the lovely visit from Rose Kane. Rose has been coordinating the monthly gathering News from Nowhere Club for over 20 years. These meet-ups normally comprise of a shared buffet and talk to bring sense of community and belonging. Currently taking place at the Epicentre, West Street E11 4LJ on the second Saturday of each month, Rose can be reached for info/enquiries by phone 0208 555 5248 and roskane@btinternet.com

We'd like to remember mental health campaigner, musician and poet Robert Dellar in occasion of the first anniversary since his unexpected passing last year. In September this year the RobertsFest was launched (some photos HERE) and the book Kiss of Life was published in Robert's memory. Copies of the book (cost £5.10 + p/p) can be ordered here www.lulu.com/shop/various-authors/kiss-of-life/paperback/product-23348291.html  All proceeds from sales of this collection go the Mental Health Resistance Network, for which he was an advocate.

Sending the very best wishes for a legal challenge by a woman with mental distress against the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rules that is being discussed today and tomorrow (12-13 December) at the Royal Courts of Justice. Winvisible, DPAC and MHRN are holding a vigil outside High Court today from 1 pm to support the PIP court case for claimants http://www.publiclawproject.org.uk/news/92/high-court-hears-pip-disability-discrimination-case

As we are approacing the end of the year we get ready for our last meeting of the year taking place next Monday the 18th Dec at LARC, taking the chance to thank all people that have contributed and/or supported FEEL's work this year. Holiday seasons are not always a festive occasion specially for people suffering from difficult health issues. Wishing you to cope well during the season and all the very best for the new year ahead.

Before leaving you with a list of other events and news (below) please find the "The 12 Days of Christmas My Psychiatrist Prescribed For Me" especially writted, directed and performed by the awesome Dolly Sen 

http://disabilityarts.online/12-days-christmas-psychiatrist-prescribed/

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Together! 2012 Disability History Month Festival End of Festival Party

Friday 15 December 7-9pm, Vicarage Lane Community Centre, Govier Cl, London E15 4HW

A closing party to celebrate the year, the talents of Together! 2012 artists and the coming holiday.

Open Mike compered by Ju Gosling aka ju90 with BSL interpretation and a brand-new piece by punk goddess Penny Pepper (listen HERE Penny interview by Sky TV on 18 November about her work and the Together! 2017 Festival).

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Book Launch: Institutional Racism in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology

17 January 2018, 4:45 -7pm, The Henry Thomas Room, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB

Race On The Agenda and London Metropolitan University present the launch of Suman Fernando's latest book - Institutional Racism in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology: Race Matters in Mental Health. About the Author: Dr Fernando is an Honorary Professor at London Metropolitan University and formerly consultant psychiatrist in the NHS. Chaired by John Gabriel: Senior Professor, London Metropolitan University. Speakers: Colin King: Mental health survivor researcher and practitioner, Football coach; Former teacher at Lambeth College for Further Education and Yvonne Christie: Activist in the field of Black mental health and race equality.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-institutional-racism-in-psychiatry-and-clinical-psychology-tickets-40549963031

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Learn to Talk for a Fit Mind with Talk for Health: Peer Counselling Skills 

In today's society it is all too easy to feel lonely and disconnected from others and this can have a negative impact on our mental health and the quality of our life. Here at Talk for Health we know that true connection happens when we let go of our social masks and start being who we really are and that this is why we run our 4.5 day wellbeing programme: to help you feel more connected to yourself and other people. We invite you to come and enjoy a two hour taster session of our programme, which is FREE to find out if it is right for you. The taster will give you a chance to experience some of the four key learning areas of our full programme: Open and truthful talking, Empathic listening, Basic counselling skills, Building supportive relationships.

Come join us and learn how to talk to for a fit mind! SIGN UP FOR FREE 

HERE FOR JANUARY PROGRAMME (Islington and Camden): Taster on Fri 5 January 2018 

HERE FOR FEBRUARY PROGRAMME (Open-to-All): Taster on Thu 22 February 2018

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Possible useful new resource https://advicelocal.uk/

A new resource to find help and advice in your area has been launched today. It’s by LASA, the charity which runs RightsNet and other services. The services it signposts you too are all vetted too. Just enter your postcode and ask it for the service you need. https://advicelocal.uk/ (via DPAC)

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Help fund design concepts that support wellbeing and recovery 

Bidean has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to produce products for wellbeing that have been co-designed in their workshops. Bidean is a social enterprise that collaborates with people using mental health services to generate design concepts that support wellbeing and recovery. So far they have worked with clients from INUF, Islington Mind, Dragon Cafe, Homerton Hospital, Depression Alliance and Kensington and Chelsea Mind, and their network continues to grow. They are now raising money for the production of a few of these products for others to enjoy. https://youtu.be/8tjR3M0iOso video https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bidean campaign

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Artful Measures - How to make art in unusual spaces

Daily Life Ltd launches Artful Measures, an interactive learning platform. Artful Measures is an innovative, interactive web platform sharing digital case studies about our projects. These case studies, packed full of illustrations, original material and videos, will be useful to anyone interested in art in unusual spaces. 

This area of evaluation is poorly represented in research practices. Producing this type of work is not easy, and we’re passionate to share our knowledge to benefit the cultural sector artfulmeasures.dailylifeltd.co.uk

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Mental health art on etsy

Rachel Rowan Olive makes provocative, topical, art. Rachel says 'I'm a member of Studio Upstairs, a community of artists in North London with experience of mental health problems. I started drawing three years ago after a breakdown - now it's how I make sense of the world. I draw about mental health, politics, and the intersection between the two. Also animals.' Visit her etsy shop here.

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Advice for Professionals re- exemptions for people facing social security assessments.

An advice guide has been produced by Winvisible and others. 

If your GP or support worker etc don’t know they important role in helping you, this information should be passed onto them.

https://dpac.uk.net/2017/12/advice-for-professionals-re-exemptions-for-people-facing-assessments/​

International Day of People with Disabilities & Disability History Month + Extra News

Dear Friends,

The 3rd of December is the International Day of People with Disabilities. Every year it has a different theme; this year it’s Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all www.un.org/en/events/disabilitiesday

The UK celebrates Disability History Month (DHM) between the 22 November to 22 December and around www.ukdhm.org/what-is-ukdhm DHM started in 2010, as the chance to “celebrate our lives, challenge disableism and achieve equality.”

In East London the Together! 2017 Disability History Month Festival started on 17 November and goes on till 15 December 2017 www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/together-2017-disability-history-month-festival/
including the Together! 2017 Disability Film Festival www.together2012.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017filmfestprog.pdf


The National Disability Arts Collection & Archive (NDACA) Project Team is currently bringing to life the heritage and rich history of the Disability Arts Movement. The Disability Arts Movement is a heritage story that began in the late 1970s and still flourishes today. It involves disabled creatives, activists, their allies and disability arts organisations all over the UK, who campaigned and broke barriers to make real change for disabled people www.ndaca.org.uk April 2018 will sees the launch of the new website.

Sending much Love and Solidarity to those living with one or more disabilities, chronic and difficult pathologies and severe health challenges, and as if that was not enough, even often bullied and discriminated for these. Thank you to all those that seemingly tirelessly (no spoon theory ignored here) fight and campaign for justice, for the families/friends/partners/carers that offer real help and support. Life is not always easy, but spirit must be kept high to carry on. Stay strong!

 

Today, 28 November, is the 260th birthday of William Blake.
Annual do at Tate Britain, Blake Room starts at 1pm.
Above the new visual poem by Sean Burns "blakean".

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Appeal Hearing No Extradition for Lauri Love#NoLove4USGov

CHANGE OF DATE The hearing will take place on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th November.

The date has been moved at the request of the court. On Wednesday start times are 10 for the hearing (going to be packed, be early) and 8.30am if you want to be part of the support outside.

Case summary: www.storify.com/laurilove/i-got-99-problems-and-murkah-is-every-damn-one Donate: www.freelauri.com


Celebrated London-based spoken word artist Potent Whisper has just released “The Rhyming Guide to Lauri Love”, a brilliant nine minute poetic exposition of the background to Lauri Love’s case and his fight against extradition. The piece takes in social attitudes to hackers, the story of Aaron Swartz and the key issues raised by Lauri’s case.
www.thecanary.co/uk/2017/11/24/british-citizen-facing-99-years-jail-no-evidence-given-rapper-sums-travesty-video/




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RECOVERY Assistance Dogs - Annual Gathering 2017

The Exchange Bar, 50 Rutland Street (opposite Curve), Leicester, LE1 1RD

Tuesday 28 Nov 5pm –7pm. Programme RAD ANNUAL REPORT 7pm – 7.30pm SUPPER 7.30pm-8pm COMEDY ROB GEE 8pm-9pm DANCING & SINGING WORKSHOP DMU CHOIR.
recovery4wellbeing@gmail.com www.RECOVERYAssistanceDogs.org.uk

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Survivors History Group meeting (please, note new location)
Wed 29 November 1pm - 5pm, Lower Meeting Room, Wesleys Chapel, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU

This month the group will discuss:
new ways to run the Survivors History Group;
Asylum magazine and the changes in that over the years and how they relate to survivors history;
working with the Friends of Philip Morgan to preserve his legacy of "health through history" and, related to this, survivor responses to deaths and other tragedies - a theme that has been raised by David Kessel and Frank Bangay;
how the Scottish Union of Mental Patients was formed in the locked wards of Hartwoods Hospital, Shotts, Lanarkshire in the early 1970s

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Reminder: "joey" - a new play from gobscure
thu 30 nov & fri 1 dec at 7.15pm camden peoples theatre, london & zine-make (30 nov 3-6pm).

you are invited to work in progress - sharing of joey a new play from sean burn

short behind the scenes film at https://vimeo.com/243906881
www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/joey-she/


"blakean" knackered & in pain got off at wrong wakefield station to hear recording ov blakes jerusalem playing in underpass. charity shop find ov blake book with words underlined & marginalia have been scanned & recut – along with an island & text from guardian newspaper style guide on reporting mental distresses to make these 4 new visual poems (attached)

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UNITE: The new magazine aimed at people with disabilities. UNITE is a new magazine aimed at people with disabilities and those parents and carers fighting for the rights of their disabled children.

To claim your first free issue please visit Unite 1 free copy unitemagazine.co.uk/?page_id=133

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/november/unite-new-magazine-aimed-people-disabilities

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Speaking truth to power: Speaker - Stephen Pattison. With input from Mirabai Swingler, NELFT mental health chaplain
Wednesday, 6 December 2.00 - 4.30pm Upper Room, 8 Greenland Pl, Camden London NW1 0ND

"In the world but not of it; the challenge to healthcare chaplains to become professionalised and still retain their prophetic role of speaking truth to power". Bookings: https://tinyurl.com/y7ujbfgd £15 delegate £5 unwaged/student

Email: brian.bingham@spiritualitymentalhealth.org.uk www.spiritualitymentalhealth.org.uk 

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Campaigners protest against Universal Credit outside office of IDS in Chingford, Saturday 2 December

Campaigners from trade unions such as Waltham Forest Trades Council, Unite Community and PCS will gather outside the office of MP Iain Duncan Smith to protest against his role in Universal Credit. Protesters will be joined by members of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on Saturday, December 2 in Station Road Chingford. The groups will meet at 11.30am and will walk to nearby Chingford Mount at 1pm. www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/15677101.Campaigners_plan_protest_against_Universal_Credit_outside_office_of_IDS/?ref=fbshr

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Abolish Universal Credits before it puts majority of the UK in poverty Online Petition

The new Universal Credit replaces JSA, Income Support, ESA, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits. BILLIONS taken from the needy and most vulnerable in society. Universal Credit is about cutting the Social Security bill meaning millions will be worse off. Once fully implemented Universal Credit will mean easier sanctioning forcing people to live off nothing. Housing subsidy will be time limited for some 18-21 year olds forcing more to be homeless. Support for child care drastically cut. Disability elements cut or abolished altogether. Thousands of small businesses will be forced out of business. Some rates are lower than current benefit rates.

Please sign and share the Online Petition https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200213

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Universal Credit – have you had a bad experience? Let Lord Shinkwin know.
In last week’s House of Lords debate on Universal Credit, Lord Shinkwin, who is himself Disabled, accused MPs of scaremongering to exaggerate the problems that Universal Credit is causing.
So DPAC is encouraging anyone who has a personal story about how Universal Credit is causing you problems to write to him and let him know. You can write to him at: House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW Or send an email marked for him in the subject line to: contactholmember@parliament.uk Please send copies of your letters and any response you receive to us here at: mail@dpac.uk.net
www.dpac.uk.net/2017/11/universal-credit-have-you-had-a-bad-experience-let-lord-shinkwin-know/

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ESA claimants owed up to £500 million due to DWP error
Some Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants were underpaid up to a total of £500 million between 2011/12 and 2014/15 due to DWP error, according to the BBC. The BBC understands that assessors wrongly calculated the income of around 75,000 claimants. Mistakes began in 2011 when the Government started moving incapacity benefit claimants onto the new ESA benefit. Continues here https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2017/november/esa-claimants-owed-%C2%A3500-million-due-dwp-error


Find here a template letter if you are a claimant who may be affected and entitled to arrears of ESA, courtesy of Nick Dilworth @Mylegalforum
https://dpac.uk.net/2017/11/template-letter-for-claimants-who-may-be-affected-and-entitled-to-arrears-of-esa/

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Benefit assessors ‘must be held accountable’ for report failings, MPs hear

The healthcare professionals who carry out disability benefit assessments on behalf of the government should be held accountable for failing to report what they are told accurately, MPs have been told.

Members of the Commons work and pensions select committee were told repeatedly this week that assessors working for the outsourcing giants Atos, Capita and Maximus were producing reports that did not reflect what they had been told by the disabled people they were assessing. Read more:

www.disabilitynewsservice.com/benefit-assessors-must-be-held-accountable-for-report-failings-mps-hear/

November Newsletter & monthly meeting Mon 20 Nov 6:30-8-30 pm

Dear Friends,

Ten years ago this week (15th Nov to be precise) the first gathering of the Friends of East End Loonies took place in Whitechapel. We already celebrated our decade of campaigning and achievement with other mental health Survivors and friends at the awesome Loonies Fest two months. Some memories are collected on Facebook 
Some more were shared by courtesy of Cheryl Prax 1drv.ms/f/s!Aqb_F-IbVW5tmRBEg6oVW3La0rSr. We also had the debut of the song "Prescriptionpath" by Sam & Daryl youtu.be/1ipdN8rWrFw



But what has actually changed in the mental health field/services in all these years?

As there seem to be more awareness about mental health, today it looks like every single person has a disorder with a diagnosis or two to refer to and possibly with pills for life to accompany them. The endless labels of our overly-civilised world...

Social and environmental conditions are hardly referred to as the actual aggravating causes of mental disorders, while the "chemical imbalance" theory is still used by some professionals to coerce patients to take cocktails of several different drugs (number that often goes scarily up when a person is detained crisis in a hospital ward), that only some honest doctors admit the poisonous damage they are causing. Yet, has this so called chemical imbalanced ever been proved before chemicals, in the form of psychoactive drugs, are put into peoples body?

Nevertheless we are more aware of the severe side effects, on mental and physical health, caused by most of medications, thanks to the patients/ex patients shared experiences, these are still ignored most of the time.

One of the most recent and shocking news was reading about the FDA approved Abilify MyCite, a pill with a sensor that digitally tracks if patients have ingested their medication. Our bodies, our own personal temples, are used and abused for lab testing and social controlling, under the misleading hat of health care. Outrageous indeed!

The changes in the welfare system and the Universal Credits is the hot topic of the moment, affecting or possibly affecting everyone soon, employed and unemployed alike: it needs to get scrapped out. Gail Ward (Disability Campaigner DPAC/BlackTriangleCampaign) has been running very useful workshops in regards. Highly recommend to follow her blog www.blueannoyed.wordpress.com/ (list of highly relevant blog posts at the very bottom of the email) and DPAC website www.dpac.uk.net for updates and guidance.


An interesting article can be read on the Private Eye www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1456/in-the-back.

Another article mentions the top suggestion of a Senior Judge to charge the DWP for every benefit case it loses in Court www.buzzfeed.com/emilydugan/most-dwp-benefits-cases-which-reach-court-are-based-on-bad?utm_term=.neyLxwpdq#.jqQ1Dn8Ny (via https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/)

Another burning issue is the Mental Health Act review announced recently by Theresa May. Is this "independent" review going to be of help or actually turn to be even more detrimental at the costs of mental health patient? It does not look like those affected by the Act are being involved in the process. The present Mental Health Act is in breach of fundamental human rights and the current politics and welfare system are crashing these rights even further https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-act-independent-review

The above and more will be discussed at our monthly meeting on Mon 20 Nov 6:30-8-30pm at LARC, ​ 62 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel E1 1ES.
We've also been approached by a company called Zinc: Will, Fiona and Quinn will come along to the meeting to give an intro to their new project dedicated to using technology to solve issues around women and girls’ mental health www.zinc.vc/mission-1

To close enjoy the special "Pink or Blue" poem by Hollie McNish www.youtube.com/watch?v=NybJ-xHUpdc

Wishing you a good weekend.

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​Lgbtqia + Mental Health under Capitalism
22 November at 18:45–21:00 Common House Unit 5E

It's well understood that people who are LGBTQIA+ are at a significantly high risk of suffering from mental health problems. This can be down to a number of factors: everyday abuse and hate, the difficulty of 'coming out' to friends and family, isolation and identity struggles all play a major role. LGBTQIA+ people are consequently predisposed towards a higher risk of suicide, depression, anxiety, and a lot more besides. But in what ways is it harder for us to tackle mental health issues? How does this intersect with capitalism? What kinds of pressures do we feel within queer spaces themselves? How can we look after each other within antagonistic environments?

Join us at 18:45 for an hourly discussion of LGBTQIA+ mental health, followed by our solidarity and support group session. We hope to see you all there.

Mental Health Under Capitalism is a collective of anti-capitalists who are interested in the impact of how capitalism effects our mental health, creating communities of care and support for one another.​

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56th Maudsley Debate: Mental Health Act

Wed 22 November 2017 5:30-8:30pm, Wolfson Lecture Theatre Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF Participants will express views (for and against) on the statement '‘This house believes that fundamental reform of the Mental Health Act is required to reduce discrimination and unnecessary detention’' You can attend for free. Registration here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/56th-maudsley-debate-mental-health-act-tickets-38140429050

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The Politics of Psychiatry and Public Health since 1945, Italy and the UK. A Talk by John Foot (University of Bristol) organised by Professor Andrea Mammone (Royal Holloway) and Professor Umberto Gentiloni (La Sapienza, Rome) part of twelve talks on "The Pace of History, the Shape of Democracy" dedicated to contemporary history

Thursday, 23 November 7-8:30pm, Italian Cultural Institute 39 Belgrave Square SW1X 8NX London

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-pace-of-history-the-shape-of-democracy-8-the-politics-of-psychiatry-and-public-health-since-tickets-39518909121

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Stop data sharing between the NHS and the Home Office

Migrants' Rights Network is challenging a secret deal between the NHS and the Home Office to share confidential patient data for immigration purposes.

The court challenge alleges that the data sharing agreement "turns doctors into immigration officers", violates patient confidentiality and means that migrants are less likely to access health care.

Fizza Qureshi, director of the Migrants' Rights Network, is concerned that "immigration enforcement is creeping into our public services." A report by the Guardian discussed the challenge as part of a wider pattern of immigration controls seeping deeper and deeper into the public sphere. Help the Migrants' Rights Network fund this important case pledging now (by 8th Dec 2017) https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/stopnhsdatasharing/

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SURVIVORS POETRY

The next Survivors Poetry events will all take place at Tottenham Chances, 399 High Rd, London N17 6QN

Thursday 23rd November, then a Solstice party on the 14th December for a final bash of the year.

Back at the Poetry Café on Thursday 11th January, 22 Betterton St WC2 at 8pm, Covent Garden tube.

For more updates follow Razz Poet's page www.facebook.com/RAZZ-POET-750646335054393/

Please find the Poetry Express Newsletter #55 here bit.ly/2AVPeTh

People wishing to contribute or subscribe to the newsletter can write directly to the Editor, David Russell, at bricolage92@hotmail.com

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Lauri Love’s appeal

Lauri Love’s appeal will be heard on 28 and 29 November at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. Love is appealing against extradition to the United States and a potential 99 year prison sentence for his alleged involvement in the online protests that followed the death of Aaron Swartz.

He needs all the support he can get freelauri.com/

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William Blake's 260th Birthday Party

Tuesday 28th November from 1pm. The Blake Room, Tate Britain Millbank London SW1P 4RG

The annual William Blake Birthday celebration is free and open to everyone willing to read, perform and remember this awesome artist: bring music, dance, poems and food and drinks for picnic afterwards, weather permitting.

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Mental Health Question Time

Launch of the Mental Health Policy Research Unit for England

Wednesday 29th November 6-9pm, Inner Temple Main Hall Crown Office Row London EC4Y 7HL

Organised by UCL Division of Psychiatry, The Lancet Psychiatry and the National Elf Service, commissioned by the Department of Health via the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Free tickets possibly sold out www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-question-timelaunch-of-the-new-mental-health-policy-research-unit-for-england-tickets-39688863459 but the event will be live streamed (www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdYhRxM2rlc) and live tweeted #MHQT for those who can't make it to London.

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Your Voice Counts by Healthwatch & Tower Hamlets Health and Wellbeing Board

Monday 11th of December 1-3pm, Tower Hamlets Professional Development Centre, 229 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6AB This time the foucs is on how older people (and those who are getting older) can shape the future of services and support www.healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk

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Call for Participants

I am a postgrad researcher looking into non-suicidal self-injury. My focus is on people from the community, who have managed to cease harming, and wish to share what helped and what hindered them on their journey to do so.

My hope is that this will help people who as yet have been unable to do so. I have attached my call for participants for people to email me directly. I can provide them with an information sheet and consent form. The format is generally a conversation either face to face, phone or skype which lasts for approx. 1 hr.
Warm wishes, Lorna Robinson (lorna2.robinson@live.uwe.ac.uk)

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Big Gene Gathering +20
December 2, 2017 9.30am – 6pm, December 3rd (10am to 3pm) LARC, 62 Fieldgate St, London E1 1ES.

Celebrate 20 Years of Defeating Corporate GM Food! FREE/donation
www.eventbrite.com/e/big-gene-gathering-20-tickets-39334569757

For more information, contact info@breakingtheframe.org.uk, or visit http://breakingtheframe.org.uk/calendarofevents/big-gene-gathering-20-london-2nd-december-2017/ or Facebook

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​​Universal Credit info by Gail Ward (Disability Campaigner DPAC/BlackTriangleCampaign​) blog posts
READ & SHARE

​UN Report - blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/07/14/universal-credit-report-hidden-dangerous-policy-decisions-that-will-cause-harm/

*https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/health-work-programme-universal-credit/

**https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/the-spectre-of-the-welfare-card-rises-again-for-claimants/

***https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/universal-support-universal-credit/

****https://blueannoyed.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/universal-credit-the-conversation-nobody-is-talking-about/

Speech for FEEL meeting 16th October 2017, by Paula Peters

I would like to thank all of you at FEEL for the invitation to speak to you all tonight. It’s always a pleasure to speak to fellow MH Survivors.
Nat asked me here tonight to speak on current social security benefit changes and about the United Nations Convention of the rights of People with Disabilities. Before I begin, I would like to say and stress, that we at DPAC pass benefit information along, we sign post people to the relevant welfare rights services or groups, and we always recommend that wherever possible you seek independent welfare rights advice, as we are not welfare rights advisors or welfare rights trained.

As am sure many of you may have heard, from 29 th September 2017 when being reassessed for ESA and for a WCA, when having an assessment, the Maximus healthcare professional will consider whether the condition you have or its functional effect will meet the new severe conditions criteria, and where the criteria is met the HCP will advise that no further assessment is made, however this is subject to two things, if you have a change of circumstances, i.e., you have a partner move in with you, or a partner leaves, you are subjected to a new assessment, and as this new guidance is discretionary, there will be no right to appeal.

The Limited Capacity for Work/Limited Capacity for Work Related Activity means now the claimant has to meet one of the descriptors in the ESA 50 questionnaire, for example, personal action, coping with change, engaging socially, behaving appropriately. Then all 4 of the following criteria must also be met, these are: that the condition is lifelong, the level of function will always meet limited capacity for work, no change in the condition and no realistic prospect of recovery.

It is important to highlight here now, as with everything with the DWP, implementation will be key. There have already been questions raised about this, for example, will this new guidance be limited to a number of people found to meet the criteria, ie conditions like dementia, Huntingdon’s disease for example. What if a disability assessor and a claimant GP or consultants disagree about realistic prospect of recovery? Could a disability assessor who is neither GP nor a consultant override a GP or consultant in that regard?

We all know from experience don’t we, that assessors do not taken into account medical evidence from our drs, do not understand fluctuating conditions and the appeal rate for ESA at around 65 per cent successful appeal decisions overturned speak for themselves.

To that end, it is important that everyone here feeds into the DWP Parliamentary Select Committee enquiry appeal for evidence on ESA/PIP of which the deadline to submit evidence is November 10 th 2017, details of who to send written evidence to can be found in the DPAC website link. The enquiry will be looking at: the entire assessment process for ESA/PIP, what works, what does not, the appeals process and its so important to share your personal experience of this, how it affected you from start to finish, the impact it has had, and if it has caused further distress to you.

As many of you would have seen in the news and on social media, the secretary of state, David Gauke is determined to continue with the roll out of universal credit, and it is important to stress, that if you report a change of circumstances to the DWP, i.e., partner moves in, or partner leaves for example, you will be treated as a new claim for Universal Credit, and as a new claim you will not be given transitional protection. However, if you are naturally migrated to UC which the DWP says they hope to begin this in July 2019 (this means what top of award you may get, however this is only
available for some people and not available to all yet) its so ambiguous and complicated. The Daily Mirror newspaper is looking for personal experiences of UC and people to share their stories if you are in receipt of it. Details of which can also be found on the DPAC website.

I now need to say to you here tonight, that under Universal Credit, there will be no severe disability premium, or enhanced disability premium, it simply disappears, and disabled people could stand to lose up to £78.35p a week. We are asking you to contact your MP to tell them what you think of this appalling cut, which will plunge disabled people further into poverty and if you can let DPAC know you have written to them, and any response you get.

It needs to be stressed, that under universal credit to date, evictions have risen by 50 per cent that you can wait upwards of 3 months for a payment. That when you apply for UC your housing benefit automatically stops and you go into arrears. That people with a mental health condition under Universal Credit will be responsible for paying their own rent under UC that it will not be paid directly to your landlord or housing association anymore. When Southwark piloted claimants paying their own rent via UC 90 per cent of claimants went in to arrears when having to pay the rent on their own. With UC, with an online application it is important that Mental Health claimants get an appointee, perhaps two if one is holiday to assist them with the application, deal with any work coach queries as they arise. Support is the key, knowing what your rights are hugely important. Everyone will be subjected to the claimant conditionality, and the ever rising threat of sanctions.

We are also asking people to write to your MP about the appalling UC helpline that the DWP has set up to help with questions. This helpline has a charge of 55p a minute from a landline or mobile, we all know with hanging on the phone listening to four seasons you can wait longer than an hour for someone to answer you. Labour worked out that the total cost of waiting to speak to someone on the UC helpline is £33 per hour. None of us can afford it. We have taken to calling it the Gauke Tax and we ask you to join us in getting the Gauke tax scrapped! No one should be phoning for help and getting charged for it. It’s another way for the DWP to take money from us!

There is a lot of information about Universal Credit, and the implications of it. I am going to give you a couple of dates for training workshops on UC. They are being run by a fellow disability campaigner, Gail Ward, from Black Triangle and DPAC, and they are as follows:
Anarchist BookFair: Saturday 28 th October 2017. 10 am-7pm at Park View School, Park View Road, London, N15 3QR details of which can be found on the anarchist book fair website http://anarchistbookfair.org.uk/
The workshop will be from 1 to 3 pm if you wish to come along, please contact the anarchist book fair to book a place.

The MHRN (mental health resistance network) will also be holding a workshop on Universal Credit training on Monday 30 th October 2017 at the Field Community Centre, 285 Queen’s Road, SE15 5JB from 11am until 4pm with lunch provided, and Please RSVP to MHRN to book your place as spaces will be severely limited due to the small space.

You have all heard about the United Nations Inquiry re the convention of the rights of people with disabilities. The UK is the first party state to be formally investigated of grave (severe) and systematic (continuous and built into the system of welfare reform policies) breaking of rights under the UNCRPD. DPAC instigated the enquiry in 2012, and it needs to be stated that to contact the UN using the UNCRPD you must exhaust all avenues of the countries court legal system first. DPAC instigated the UNCRPD inquiry using optional protocol 6 meaning a formal process was carried out by DPAC to submit complaints and submissions. This process meant documents needed to be written in a particular way with attention to separate articles within the UNCRPD, and strong evidence needed to be framed accordingly. The use of the UNCRPD protocol formal process with the strict guidelines followed was the first of its kind for grave and systematic human rights violations towards disabled people.

Evidence was submitted in 2013, and since then thousands of disabled people, campaign groups, and charities have submitted evidence and given testimony throughout 2014 and 2015. The UNCRPD gave its findings in a report that the government was in breach of the CRPD convention with grave and systematic human rights violations and recommended that the UK government carry out 11 recommendations from the report. The UK government met this request with a shrug and ignored the report. One of the recommendations was that the government carry out a cumulative impact assessment of all the welfare reforms and cuts to services on disabled people.

In August 2017 disabled groups and campaigners met with the CRPD committee in Geneva and submitted further evidence to the committee, the committees judgement was that the cuts are causing a human catastrophe on disabled people’s lives, and its important to never forget the tragic human impact of the cuts on people in mental distress and the deaths of disabled people. That there has been a ramping up of suicides due to the WCA and constant reassessments under PIP and ESA and benefit sanctions. It must be noted that the government has consistently misled the public on the impact of the austerity agenda, refusing to answer questions and mis use statics in their counter arguments around the UNCRPD report allegations.

The question is what can be done to continue the fight for disability rights? There are countless ways to get involved. First, sign up to the dpac website www.dpac.uk.net and sign up to email alerts of campaigns and how to submit evidence to inquiry and select committee hearings. Share your testimony of how the cuts have impacted on you – write to your MP, your local councillor, speak to the media, write, take photos make a video, be creative to express your voices. We need as many people as possible now raising their voices in anger, joining the resistance and supporting one another. It is only by uniting and fighting back together, is how we will win against the most pernicious government the UK has ever had.

Solidarity!

OCTOBER EXTRA

Dear Friends,

Due to an emergency Paula Peter sent her apologies for last FEEL meeting. However she's sent us the speech she was going to give us, which was discussed at the meeting bit.ly/2lgv6Y1

Some relevant suggestions and updates from Paula in regards to ways to get involved in the fight and protest against the ​​Universal Credit:

1. National Disability Summit - Saturday 4th November 2017 11am to 4.30 pm NUT HQ Marbeldon place, Kings Cross London.

Contact DPAC dpac.uk.net/2017/10/national-disabled-peoples-summit/ or Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance www.rofa.org.uk/; book a place www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-disabled-peoples-summit-tickets-38706991654

2. National Day of Action against Universal Credit on 2nd December 2017 across the UK contact Unite Community ​on ​how you can support and spread the word.

3. Training workshops. Gail Ward, Disability Campaigner is putting on training workshops around UC, know your rights, the regulations to advocate and support as many people as possible.


Next training workshops in London take place on Saturday 28th October 1pm until 3 pm Anarchist BookFair Park View School, Park View Road, London, N15.

Also on ​Monday 30th October 11 am until 4pm The Field, 28​​5 Queens Road, New Cross SE15 contact MHRN to book a place on that. Or contact Gail via dpac or black triangle to organise a training workshop​;​ she will need support for funding for acommodation and travel and printing costs of hand outs. Trade Unions please support if you can with funding here.

If you can't get to training workshops, actions on the street. Lobby your MP, and local ward councillor. Go on to parliament website to contact your MP; if you do not know who that is type in your postcode and the details of who it is will come up and how to contact them. Write and email, they do not respond on twitter. Same with ward councillors in your local area​.​

If you are impacted by UC already and have a story to share contact the local media or national media about it, they always want a story about UC https://dpac.uk.net/2017/10/uc-claimants-share-your-story/
Do signup to DPAC newsletter for regular updates!

Some more info and events.

​​​Anyone Can M​a​ke a Film!​
​Check the new programme that ​​l​aunches October ​25​, 2017​​ ​​organised by ​INUF-Independent Newham Users Forum (Mental Health)​ Ithaca House, 27 Romford Road, Stratford, E15 4LJ London​. Contact Trevor on trevorj@inuf.org​ ​ ​www.inuf.org/single-post/2017/10/12/Anyone-Can-MAke-a-Film​

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National Disabled People’s Summit Saturday 4 November 11am – 4.30pm

NUT headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9BD

Since 2010 Disabled people have been subject to brutal attacks in every area of our lives caused by the disproportionate impact of austerity measures and the dismantling of the welfare system. In August the United Nations disability committee publicly declared that they are now more worried about the UK than any other country in the entire history of the committee and that UK Government “social cuts” have led to “human catastrophe”. This followed publication at the end of last year of the Committee’s investigation into the UK which found evidence of “grave and systematic violations” of Disabled people’s rights due to welfare reform. Yet the Tory Government continues to deny there is a problem. This summit will bring together Deaf and Disabled people from the trade union movement, Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations and grassroots campaigns to explore how we can more effectively co-ordinate our resistance and organise joint campaigning in identified areas. The event will be largely workshop based with the aim of each workshop to come up with and agree a campaigns plan that participants will go away and work together to put into action. The idea of the Summit is to inspire concrete activity that will lead to real change.​ The venue is wheelchair accessible, BSL interpretation will be provided and there will be a quiet room. Lunch will be provided (with thanks to the National Education Union). Please book via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-disabled-peoples-summit-tickets-38706991654 If you are unable to attend in person, we will be livestreaming the plenary. For more information or if you have any access queries please contact: ellen_morrison@hotmail.co.uk

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Deaf poets society Talk by Richard D France - Free
09 Nov 2017 18:00 - 20:00 Royal College of Nursing 20 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London, W1G ORN At this talk and poetry event, Richard will talk about his experiences with the psychiatric system and perform some of his poetry. The event will be introduced by Herbert Klein, Deaf Advisor at Springfield Hospital (National Deaf Services).

This event will have a BSL interpreter. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/events/deaf-poets-society

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GOBSCURE in London

-half hour reading in eastham library at 6pm on friday 17th november - all free, all welcome, against a wall of words and arthritis-permitting with a welsh poppy (328 Barking Rd, London E6 2RT)

-joey at camden peoples theatre - 30th november & 1st december at 7:15pm www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/joey-she/

-free zine workshop 30th november 3 - 6pm free www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/theatre-workshop-sean-burn/

camden peoples theatre 58-60 Hampstead Rd, Kings Cross, London NW1 2PY

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Together! 2017 Disability Film Festival

The sixth annual Together! Disability Film Festival takes place from 8-10 December 2017 at the Old Town Hall Stratford (see below for full venue details). The Together! Disability Film Festival is the only UK disability film festival that covers all impairment groups, including disabled people with physical and sensory conditions, learning difficulties, mental health difficulties and long-term health conditions. We release the programme with the addition of links to available online versions and trailers each morning, and these remain online in our archive as a portal to Disability Film for programmers and scholars. Entries are being accepted now via film@together2012.org.uk

In addition to any other information you send, please include programme information in the following format: Name of Film; Name of Director; Country of Origin; Year of Completion; Length; Premiere status; Link to any Online Version or Trailer; Access Status (i.e. English captions, audio-description, BSL); + 2/3 sentences of description; and at least 1 still. We accept entries in any format (DVDs and sticks to Together! 2012 CIC, 90A Tudor Road, London E6 1DR), but need the information above via email.

For more information contact Together! 2012 Artistic Director Dr Ju Gosling ju@together2012.org.uk
www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/together-2017-disability-film-festival/

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END TO REPEAT ESA ASSESSMENTS FOR SOME

We now have the criteria that the DWP are using to decide which claimants will be exempt from repeat work capability assessments. Only claimants in the support group will be considered. In addition, claimants will have to have a condition that will last for the rest of their lives with no realistic prospect of recovery including by way of interventions such as transplants. Also, their condition must always cause them to meet one of the support group descriptors. However, this means the DWP are deliberately excluding claimants who are placed in the support group on the grounds that their mental health condition means that there would be a substantial risk to themselves or someone else if they were not placed there. This is in spite of the fact that the DWP will be aware that these are some of the claimants whose health will be most put at risk by the stress of repeated reassessments. There’s more details about who is and isn’t likely to qualify in our full article www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3670-end-to-repeat-wcas-many-mental-health-claimants-will-miss-out?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=benefits-and-work&utm_content=v2+October+18+2017+newsletter


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The Psychotherapy and Spirituality Summit -
FREE Online Summit 30 Oct-8 Nov 2017

In recent years we've seen extraordinary breakthroughs from the combination of Western psychotherapy and spiritual practice. From the “mindfulness revolution” to the prescription of yoga for PTSD and other challenges, this emerging synthesis of the scientific and the spiritual is transforming our approach to health and healing. And we've only scratched the surface. With The Psychotherapy and Spirituality Summit, you are invited to explore the profound implications of this uniquely exciting time in history. Beginning on October 30, 2017, 30 leading experts from diverse fields will share their insights into the journey towards becoming a mature, balanced, spiritually open, and psychologically healthy human being. Book FREE place here www.soundstrue.com/store/psychotherapy-and-spirituality-summit/free-registration?hatid=10223e930a78d77ad517669c6d4379&partner=2938

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NDACA Introducing the 'Golden Age' of the Disability Arts Movement

The National Disability Arts Collection & Archive (NDACA) Project Team is currently bringing to life the heritage and rich history of the Disability Arts Movement. The Disability Arts Movement is a heritage story that began in the late 1970s and still flourishes today. It involves disabled creatives, activists, their allies and disability arts organisations all over the UK, who campaigned and broke barriers to make real change for disabled people. Change did happen with the Disability Discrimination Act being passed through Parliament in 1995. Along the way to achieving justice and rights, disabled people made the great art, music and culture that chronicles the Disability Arts Movement. Piss on Pity, indeed! www.shapearts.org.uk/Pages/Category/ndaca/Tag/ndaca

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Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Psychologists give new insight into the nature of psychosis

A week after the government announced its review of mental health legislation, an expert report published by the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology challenges received wisdom about the nature of mental illness. The report, Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Why people sometimes hear voices, believe things that others find strange or appear out of touch with reality, and what can help, has been written by a group of eminent clinical psychologists drawn from eight universities and six NHS trusts, together with people who have themselves experienced psychosis. It provides an accessible overview of the current state of knowledge, and its conclusions have profound implications both for the way we understand ‘mental illness’ and for the future of mental health services. The report can be downloaded free of charge
www.bps.org.uk/networks-and-communities/member-microsite/division-clinical-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia

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"A Disorder for Everyone!" - Fri 8 December 09:00 – 17:00

Exploring the culture of psychiatric diagnosis, creating change. (In association with Manchester Rape Crisis)

Methodist Central Buildings Central Hall Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ

AD4E is coming to Manchester, this will be our 6th event. We are delighted to be supported by Manchester Rape Crisis Contributors include Dr Lucy Johnstone, Jacqui Dillon, Dr Gary Sidley, Jo Watson & Nollaig McSweeney

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-disorder-for-everyone-exploring-the-culture-of-psychiatric-diagnosis-creating-change-in-tickets-35489790920

October Newsletter - FEEL meeting Mon 16 Oct @ LARC

Dear Friends,

Next week is the usual date for World Mental Health Day: 10 October as each year gets overly loaded with events and programs to raise awareness on mental health. You should be able to find events happening locally to you with ease. It is a shame that these mostly ignore the damages caused by the most popular way to deal with peoples problems: medications and their severe and problematic side effects.

​Following the recent event in Las Vegas there have been plenty of ​articles of professionals ​circulating in regards to the DANGERS of medications (since patients complains are ​SHAMEFULLY often ignored). I invite you to read this
suzycohen.com/articles/benzodiazepines-dangers-lies/?inf_contact_key=c29bbcf170637f6dcdd672ae796677356ca7cda05aa8a37eb15cd568e89973eb

While deaths within hospitals are often labelled as 'cardiac arrest' (that's obvious, isn't it?)​ ​so that the real effect and cause of death can be sweep under the rugs​,​ I am profoundly saddened ​that one more victim has just happened again recently and locally. ​

​In the main time APRIL - Adverse Psychiatric Reactions Information Link web site is back on line www.april.org.uk

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and withdrawal effects changing mood and behaviour need to be studied and understood, the website says. I would add that alternative​s and more gentle and OBVIOUS ways to deal with peoples distress should be more readily available.

​Not forgetting the CRAZY world we are living in where it's impossible not to be affected and disturbed by.

​​Next Monday 16th October at our FEEL monthly meeting we'll have a special guest: ​Paula Peters (DPAC & MHRN) will kindly visit to share some very delicate information. Paula says: "The UK was the first state to be formally investigated under the UNCRPD. The first state to be found guilty of grave and systematic human rights violations towards disabled people. UNCRPD found that the impact of the cuts on disabled people are causing a human catastrophe. Just a heads up for anyone who end up losing their home because of DWP sanctions that remove their JSA and ESA. Please ensure that you or anyone you know who is sanctioned understands that there is help. If your money is stopped you can go to the council and fill in a Nil Income form. That will reinstate rent and council tax and give access to further help like meter credits, foodbank vouchers and emergency cash payments. This info is not readily available sadly and it should be. The authorities will only deal with it if you ask specifically which is a disgrace. So if your benefits have been sanctioned then remember help is still available."

At the meeting we'll also talk about the recent WCA, ESA and UC changes that have been announced last week www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-and-universal-credit-changes-to-the-work-capability-assessment/employment-and-support-allowance-and-universal-credit-changes-to-the-work-capability-assessment-from-29-september-2017 and more. Do join us from 6:30 at LARC.

Tomorrow RD Laing would have celebrated his 90th birthday.
Coincidentally there will be an event at Kingsley Hall, not related, see below.

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SCN talk – Managing the Threshold £5 (free for SCN members and friends). Tickets available on the door.Saturday 7th October 7.00- 9.00 pm Kingsley Hall, Powis Rd London, E3 3HJ
Between everyday reality and that encountered in Spiritual Crisis (sometimes labelled Psychosis)Evening discussion and social with Daniel Hadjiandeou and Isabel Clarke
spiritualcrisisnetwork.uk/event/volunteer-social-day/

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​COUNTER | CULTURE – Curated by Dee Sada £10/£8 (adv.), £6 members

AN EXPLORATION OF COMMUNITIES, ISOLATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND ACTIVISM.​
Sunday 8 Oct, 7.30pm Cafe OTO 18–22 Ashwin street Dalston London E8 3DL
- Screening of 'Estate' dir. by Andrea Luka Zimmerman (2015) 85 mins and Q&A with Andrea Zimmerman.
- Shy Radicals: The Anti-Systemic Politics of the Introvert Militant (2017) Hamja Ahsan book talk
- Screening of 'Lift' dir. by Marc Isaacs (2001) 24 mins
- LIVE: ORAL ORAL (Dee Sada-drums/bass/electronics, Mario Siebert-guitar, Max Allen-vox, Princess Julia-vox).
www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/counter-culture/#

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Diaspora Dialogue’ Exhibition
Wed 18th to Tue 24th October 2017 from 10:30am to 5:00pm
Winns Gallery, Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park, London E17 5JW
The exhibition will provide an opportunity for emerging artist of African Caribbean descent to show their work alongside work of more established artist, creating a platform for those who lack the opportunity, knowledge or confidence to give their work exposure. www.aliciadean-artworks.co.uk www.blaqjacq.wixsite.com/jacqueline-mcfarlane



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London Anarchist Bookfair 2017

Saturday 28th October from 10am to 7pm. Park View School West, Green Road, London, N15 3QR​

If you look at the Meetings page you can see all the meetings on the day, so you can start planning early what you want to go to. The Film room is slightly different this year in that it will be both films and live entertainment in room P5. The Other Events page has events going on once the Bookfair is finished for your evening entertainment. These are not organised by the bookfair collective but they are raising money to support the day’s activities. If you have any access requirements, please check out the Access page. Free child care is provided from 10am to 6pm for kids from 2 to 12.
anarchistbookfair.org.uk/home.html

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6th British Congress on Medicine and Spirituality £40 – £140
Sat 11 + Sun 12 November 2017 from 09:00am to 18:00pm
Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, Baker Street London NW1 6XT​

A two-day event organised by the International Spiritist Medical Association (AME International) and the British Union of Spiritist Societies (BUSS) which occurs every two years.
The speakers will discuss the paradigm of integrative medicine and the goal to bridge medicine and spirituality, focusing on treatments that champion the body-mind-spirit concept www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/6th-british-congress-on-medicine-and-spirituality-tickets-31875960857

Survivors Stories Closing Party tomorrow 19th Sept

Dear Friends,

The Loonies Fest wave is ending tomorrow evening with the closing party for the Survivors Stories art exhibition.

The show will be accessible between 4-8pm (with the Three Bees Cafe open 4-7pm) and will be accompanied by more activities and entertainment. Please note that there is no alcohol involved; feel free to BYO if you like, although we wish to remind to drink sensibly and support an alcohol/drugs free environment.

Join the complimentary Qi Gong session by Jade Lotus starting at 4:30pm www.jadelotus.co.uk

Relaxed poetry reading, music and performances will start at 6pm until 9pm. Closing with LOVE AID Kirtan & Celestial Sound Healing.

The symbolism of the closing party is aimed to bring to a close these celebrations, the end of the Summer and for any difficult phase people wishes to move forwards from.

Life does not spare anyone from traumas and suffering, it's just one side of the same coin of the existence we are called in to live. New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. Lao Tzu

See you at FEEL meeting later today or at one of the events below.

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SOLO SHOW by Michelle Baharier: Living with Trauma
29 August to 6 October 2017 Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:30pm (by appointment only) at the SHARP Gallery 308-312 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6AA Private view Monday 18th September 5-8Pm

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KNOW MY MIND PRESENTS So U Think I’m CraZy?
“Who would have thought I would end up like this?”

Mon 18 Sep – Thu 21 Sep, 7:30pm Tickets FULL: £12.50 CONCESSION: £10Ovalhouse 52-54 KENNINGTON OVAL LONDON SE11 5SW.

So U Think I'm CraZy? is a hard-hitting, emotive play exploring the issues surrounding mental health in Britain today told through the eyes of a young black man.Using dance, poetry and music this multi-sensory experience will take you from the streets of London to the secure wing of a psychiatric hospital.Know My Mind is a theatre company in Croydon, London, shining a spotlight on mental health issues from the perspective of service users and carers. So U Think I’m CraZy? is written and directed by KMM co-founder Ekanem Hines​ www.ovalhouse.com/whatson/detail/so-u-think-im-crazy​​

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Mirkwood - Book Launch and Exhibition
opening​18 September at 18:30–21:30

St Leonard’s Church (patron saint of the mental), 119 Shoreditch High St, E1 6JN London

Bethlem Mental Hospital, or 'Bedlam', throughout its history and four sites has occupied a liminal place. Situated always on the edge of society and on the border of the City. Today's Bethlem is comprised of numerous smaller blocks situated in and around the Forest.​ This book is a study from the Forest ​. “These photographs invoke the dark forests of Norse mythology: Myrkviðr (Mirkwood, literally ‘dark’ or ‘murky wood’), the great primeval forest that was once the border of the known world, a place of transition from one world to another, from one narrative to the next. A zone of transformation, of metamorphosis between different states of mind and being. “ Willard Kane 2015​

September Newsletter + healing live gig in support of Survivors Stories exhibition today

Dear Friends,

It was an awesome experience to co-create and be part of the Loonies Fest. As by a magic spell the day unfolded beautifully on a mostly sunny day, among pre-Autumnal weather. A truly special and extraordinary day filled by likewise extraordinary, delicious and authentic souls that engaged in activities, performances or simply by being there.

THANKS go to all Artists performing and contributing with their time and wit, workshop leaders and audience that created the awesome vibrant flow throughout the day. A photo album and thank you to all the (lunatic & non) co-creators of the day can be viewed here http://bit.ly/ and more photos are flowing in from others.



The Survivors Stories art exhibition will be accessible again this afternoon 4-8pm. The Three Bees Cafe will be open 4-7pm for delicious home made cakes and dish of the day.


If visiting the exhibition today join us also for a impromptu LOVE AID Kirtan & Celestial Sound Healing session, feat. Ion The Lion & Friends, live on stage from 5pm
http://bit.ly/2xEYoBI


This weekend in occasion of London Open House Kingsley Hall and the show can be accessed from 11am to 6pm (Sat 16 ONLY). Hourly tours of the building start at noon http://bit.ly/2xhZXI1


Next Monday the 18th we'll also be back to LARC for our monthly FEEL meeting. Join us to carry on the 10th years celebration of FEEL and variety through lunacy, of life.

Please find more events and dates for the diary below.

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Shy Radicals & Dolly Sen discuss Anti-psychiatry DSM 69
Wed 13 Sept 2017 7-8:30pm Housmans Radical Booksellers, 5 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX London

Discussion on influence of Antipsychiatry on ‘Shy Radicals: The Antisystemic Politics Of The Militant Introvert’ with Hamja Ahsan and Dolly Sen Wednesday 13th September,7pm Entry £3, redeemable against any purchase Hamja will be joined by Dolly Sen who will be exploring anti-psychiatry aspects of Shy Radicalism as well as talking about DSM 69, her parody of the Diagnostic Manual

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Robertfest 2017 by Mental Health Resistance Network MHRN

Sun 24 September 2017 noon to midnight Amersham Arms 388 New Cross Road London SE14 6TY

The event will include some of Robert’s favourite bands, including ATV, Vic Goddard, The Long Decline, The Astronauts, The Ceramic Hobbs, Dave Kusworth, Jowe Head and the Infernal Contraption, Alan Tyler, Frank Bangay, Melanie Clifford, Salad from Atlantis, Dave Russell, Paul Caton, MC Razz and special guests.

RobertFest 2017 will also host the inaugural Robert Dellar Lecture, an annual lecture building on the life, times and activism of Robert Dellar. The first Robert Dellar Lecture will be given by Prof Esther Leslie at 4.30 pm at the Amersham Arms. Booking details here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/robertfest-2017-tickets-37107687091

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nudging meteors - gobscure. 27.09.2017 to 10.11.2017.
Art house, Drury Ln, Wakefield WF1 2TE bit.ly/2wU8wcl

House presents new work by artist, writer and performer gobscure. With an international reputation and active involvement in disability arts,gobscure’s work challenges institutional narratives of psychiatry, encouraging debate about how we talk with each other about mental health and mental distress. gobscure.wixsite.com/info

Joey s/he - gobscure. 30th november / 1st december - 7:15pm. Camden People’s Theatre 58-60 Hampstead Road London NW1 2PY

work-in-progress - spiralling out of 1981 - hard-right government savagely cutting, race hate & riots, insanities over in the states but punk not pop punk ... www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/joey-she/

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SCN (Spiritual Crisis Network) talk – Managing the Threshold 7 October @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Kingsley Hall, Powis Rd, E3 3HJ

From his own intense and chaotic personal experience, Daniel Hadjiandreou shares what may occur when rapid opening to other dimensions happens without the skills and support of a loving, understanding community. He offers
some suggestions on how this journey can be smoother and less traumatic.

Isabel Clarke will put such journeys into another realm of experience into a context that places them at the heart of being human - and invites a radical new look at what it is to be human. Free for SCN members and friends.

£5 for others spiritualcrisisnetwork.uk/event/volunteer-social-day/

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SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL

10th-29th Oct 17. Challenging perceptions, supporting art and promoting change.The festival takes place across Scotland throughout October each year, aiming to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health. The 11th festival will take place from the 10th of October 2017, follow on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates bit.ly/2gWkSH1