Friday, 16 November 2018

November EXTRA

Dear Friends,

We have officially entered our TWELFTH year of activity. 

While reminding you about our monthly meeting next Monday 19 Nov, we wish to share a few other last minute important news. We are pleased to announce that Bea Herbert will join us at the meeting and share some info about her youth mental health project States of Mind www.statesofmind.org

Also note and join when possible the MHRN protest next Tue 20th, the national day of action on Wed 21 (details below) and some other relevant info.


Mental Health Resistance Network #WeDemand PROTEST 
Tue 20 November, on occasion of the Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar. 
Protesters will meet at 8am outside the venue, Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR. 
More details on event page www.facebook.com/events/544653469293319/
List of demands + printable PDF mentalhealthresistance.org/2018/11/wedemand

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Day of Action for Disability Equality in Education
Wednesday November 21st, NATIONALLY
Parliamentary meeting House of Commons, Committee Room 10, from 5.30pm – 7pm. Some tickets are available for this event and we want as many disabled people as possible to attend: please email DPAC or elaneheffernan@btinternet.com for tickets. More also happening in Cambridge and Liverpool dpac.uk.net/2018/11/day-of-action-for-disability-equality-in-education-november-21st-nationally

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Help to Fight Disability Discrimination on Public Transport
14 days left to donate to the Inclusion London crowdfunder campaign to help fight disability discrimination on public transport www.crowdjustice.com/case/fight-disability-discrimination

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Petition: Protect the human rights of people receiving care and support, by Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA) www.rofa.org.uk
Please sign and share you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-the-human-rights-of-people-receiving-care-and-support

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Do you have experience of psychosis? Have you stopped or ever tried to stop taking antipsychotic medication? Would you like the chance to say what support would be helpful when trying to stop? Yes? We would like to hear your views. For more info see doc attached and contact annabel.green@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk University of Manchester, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL  (info attached)

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LHVN Network Meeting. Speaker: Bobby Baker
(London Hearing Voices Network incorporating Paranoia & Beliefs Network). 
Thu 6 December, 2 - 5pm Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4RL
www.mindincamden.org.uk/services/lhvn

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NSUN Members' Manifesto Survey 
Take part of the review of the 2017 Members' Manifesto. 
The deadline for completion is Friday 21st December www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2SLFXC7

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Last but not least...
The 2012 Insane? Your own choice! PatVerfue video to campaign against the coercive psychiatric system and details of the advance directive as applied in Germany www.patverfue.de/en
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Thursday, 15 November 2018

ELEVEN years young today!


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Saturday, 10 November 2018

November Newsletter

Dear Friends,

This month FEEL is turning 11 years old. For the occasion we are re-launching our blog, with a slight makeover. Unfortunately most of the older posts need a retouch...another lifetime required for editing! 
Also sad coming across the many defunct or 404 - Not Found links. 

Many thanks to those of you that have contributed over the years and to those still supporting us, even when unable to join us in person, whether that be over weeks, months or years. 
We will raise a toast on Monday 19 November for our monthly meeting at LARC and everyone is welcome to join in.

We didn't host any major public events, since the Loonies Fest, yet we had very interesting monthly meetings this year. The time spent learning and becoming familiar with the CRPD, and the Global network of Survivors and allies, is still productively occupying our time and interest. Material still available at crpdcourse.org. Patience will bring its fruits. 

But never mind WE hosting events - London is ever busier with interesting stuff and events abound, that once again, little breath is left over to do more.

October's World Mental Health Day has became a bit like Christmas.  
Messages inundated social media for a "happy mental health awareness day" and suggestions to seek help if required. Yet, I doubt many of those people know what actual help is out there, or what is the first port of call, if not GPs prescribing pills!

And about the PILLS there's been more and more augmenting in regards, and more there will be. These are some options we certainly support:

- Antidepressant withdrawal review: authors respond in detail to Mental Elf critique
cepuk.org/2018/10/18/3406/
- Many doctors may be failing to warn patients about the risks of antidepressants, new APPG research suggests
prescribeddrug.org/many-doctors-failing-to-warn-patients-about-the-risks-of-antidepressants/
- Antidepressant Drugs Work According to Latest Study: A Critical Re-Appraisal
kellybroganmd.com/antidepressant-drugs-work-according-to-latest-study-a-critical-re-appraisal/


As suspected, the last minute appearance - for most of us - of the global mental health summit (videos available here globalmhsummit.com/home) had little, if any, relevance to the rights and interests of people receiving mental health services. Rather it was the usual political sideshow to disguise the money and interest of those profiting economically in the industry.

We applaud and thank the immediate action by NSUN, which circulated these letters of protest
- www.nsun.org.uk/news/global-ministerial-mental-health-summit-open-letter
- www.nsun.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=3103fcfd-dee4-4aed-a44e-0157f8236362

More on the summit:
- punkertje.waarbenjij.nu
- https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-blocked-involvement-of-user-led-groups-in-mental-health-summit/

One more 'victory', following much suffering of those involved, is the Royal Assent in Parliament of Seni’s Law which should "increase protections and oversight on use of force in mental health settings". Remembering Seni Lewis that inspired this action www.inquest.org.uk/senis-law-assent


EVENTS 

Cumulative Effect: Disability and the welfare state
Shape Open Retrospective at Hoxton Arches
2 - 11 November, opening hours 10.00-18.00, Hoxton Arches, Arch 402, Cremer St, London E2 8HD

Please support the Shape campaign #LetUsIn crowdfunding, open till 12 November 2018 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/letusin

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A Mindful Mess 2018, by Sunday Assembly East End, Antenna Collective and Poplar Union
Fri 9 to Sun 11 Nov, Poplar Union 2 Cotall St, Poplar, London E14 6TL
MUSIC / CABARET / WORKSHOPS / FILM / TALKS / ART & more. A FREE weekend long festival exploring mental health and celebrating ‘neurodiversity’ … the principle that differences in our brains should be recognised and respected just as any other human variation. Programme and FREE tickets here: poplarunion.com/a-mindful-mess-festival-9-11-november-2018/

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My Story on Film @ Dragon Cafe, in connection with the Brixton Reel Film Festival brixtonreel.co.uk/Films&Events.html
Mon 12 November, Crypt of St George the Martyr Church, Borough High St, SE1 1JA 
My Story is a pioneering series of filmed testimonials, about real-life mental health experiences of black Lambeth residents. Alongside these shorts we'll be screening That's Not Ours, by South London filmmaker Leon Oldstrong, that explores the real-world consequences of the negative images of young black men and boys promoted by the media. dragoncafe.co.uk/this-week

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Healthwatch Tower Hamlets - Mental Health Task Group 
Thursday 15 November, 1.30-3.00pm, ELFT Seminar Room, Burdett House, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London E1 4DG
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East End Suffragettes: the photographs of Norah Smyth
2 Nov 2018 - 9 Feb 2019 Tues-Sat: 11.00-18.00 daily, Four Corners, 121 Roman Road, London E2 0QN
First-ever exhibition of Norah Smyth's work, which brings her original photographs back to East London 100 years after they were taken fourcornersfilm.co.uk/East-End-Suffragettes

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The Legacy of the Struggle for Women's Suffrage - George Lansbury Memorial Lecture 
Thursday 22 November at 6:30pm Skeel Lecture Theatre, People's Palace, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road E1 4NS www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/george-lansbury-memorial-lecture-2018-tickets-48201603293

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COOL To BELIEVE - Peer Support Group for those living with and recovering from PARANOIA and distressing beliefs. Meets every Wednesday 1-3pm, BowHaven, Bow Community Hall, 1 William Place, Roman Rd E3 5ED. First timers, please get in touch with Pete 0775 215 8361/Jeremy 07925 145 536. 
See leaflet attached for more info & details www.bowhaven.org.uk/cool-to-believe/  

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Together! 2018 Disability History Month Festival
Together! annual Disability History Month Festival showcases the talents of locally based, national and international Disabled artists. From the end of October onwards, the Festival offers a range of exhibitions, performances, screenings, events and other activities that are FREE and open to everyone and aim to be as inclusive as possible of audience members as well as artists. All venues have step-free access and limited Blue Badge parking. Live audio-description is available on demand; productions are amplified with induction loops. BSL interpretation is provided for performances where speech is the main communication form. Full listing www.together2012.org.uk

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Monthly Demos Against UC at DWP Head Office
Monthly demonstration against Universal Credit outside DWP headquarters, Caxton House, Toothill Street, London SW1H 9DA (near the Houses of Parliament) 
Meet 12 PM – 1pm on the 1st Friday of each month including December and January https://dpac.uk.net/2018/11/new-monthly-demos-against-uc-at-dwp-head-office/

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William Blake's 261st Birthday Celebrations, by William Blake Congregation
Wed 28th November from 1pm, The Blake Room, Tate Britain Millbank London SW1P 4RG 
Free. Everyone welcome. Birthday cake in the garden after. Bring a picnic & a drink to share.

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Men and Mental Health: Too Tough to Talk?, by Talk for Health
Wed 14 Nov 6-8pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD
For more information contact info@talkforhealth.co.uk or 07826148461

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The role of visual story telling in transforming opinions and influencing policy
Thu 22 Nov 17:30 - 19:00, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street WC1E 7HT
The event will commence with a documentary film screening of ‘Breaking the Chains’, followed by a panel discussion on the role of visual storytelling in research and in creating policy change. Free. Booking required: Asmae.Doukani@lshtm.ac.uk

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Post-Birth Control Syndrome Awareness Week 
5 - 11 November 2018 Online webinars. 

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The Wondering Womb exhibition, curated by the RCN Women's Health Forum, the History of Nursing Society and Library and Archive Service.
19 Oct 2018 - 22 March 2019, Royal College of Nursing Library and Heritage Centre, 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN www.rcn.org.uk/library-exhibitions/womens-health-wandering-womb

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Finding Space and Sanctuary, by Compassionate Mental Health 

27 - 29 Nov Broughton Hall, Skipton, Yorkshire, UK (sliding scale fees)

Among the speakers this year: Will Hall, Rufus May, Dr Joseph H. Berke, Karen Taylor & Ron Coleman


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Petitions & Consultations:

-Turn Up The Volume on women’s mental health (consultation ending on the 14 Jan 2019)
- Call on the government to take action: "Parts of my job were withheld from me because the manager in charge didn't believe that I could do it because of my deafness" 
- Make it a legal requirement to have a second safety critical person on trains
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/231479
- Stop the detention of people with autism & learning disability’s in ATU’s
- Letter to Danish Minister of Health against dismissal of Peter Gotzsche 

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Thursday, 8 November 2018

Jazzman John The Greatest!

John Robert Clark, Aka Jazzman 
20 March 1948 - 3 August 2018

 
John was much more than a poet and entertainer. John was a kind and gentle friend for so many people, an ally in people's challenges and an inspirer for many artists. A leader in his many fields. 
And the best Master of Ceremonies, oh yes! 

Jazzman's funeral took place on Friday 12 October, at Honor Oak Crematorium. A lovely gathering of friends and allies easily filled up the little chapel, leaving many standing up by the back and the balcony. 
How weird seeing your coffin disappear under the ground, gone in a few seconds right there in front of our eyes, John. A brief farewell to your bones and flesh, that are now reduced to ashes. Farewell to your humour, the beats and the jazz, while your Spirit is alive with us, stronger than ever. 

A series of tributes for John took place in the past weeks. Here some moments of the latest that took place on Saturday 27th October at the Kingsley Hall in Bow, "Altogether Elsewhere - A Memorial Tribute Event for Jazzman John" www.facebook.com/events/870690493131049/  
The evening was kindly organised by a group of Jazzman's friends with the support of Kingsley Hall, where the book in memory of John is now stored. During the evening there was also the launching of the zine designed and hand assembled by Vyvy Lewis and Chrissy Weller that collects some artworks and thoughts from over 30 different artists, friends and colleagues of John. 

A big warm farewell to Jazzman from all of us from FEEL💗

Photo album here:  www.facebook.com/pg/feel.campaign/photos
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