Campaigning for fairer & compassionate mental health care since 2007. Humane therapy, not DRUGS tyranny! Working together GREATER results can be achieved! (Pls, note that we are not longer meeting, but present in spirit)
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Monday, 2 November 2015
Mental Health, Psychiatric Drugs and Metabolism
We are pleased to publicate this article about the effects of psychiatric medication on metabolism recently written by Catherine Clarke SRN, SCM, MSSCH, MBChA and Jan Evans MCSP. Grad Dip Phys.
There is plenty of evidence about these type of studies and researches. Since the pharmaceutical industry has no interest in circulating them it is OUR responsibility, being at the receiving end, to share them and stay informed.
Previous articles by Clarke shedding light on the ill-effect of psychiatric drugs and consequential patient violence were publicised on the Asylum Magazine ( Nos 17.2, 17.3 and 20.3).
The fully referenced and detailed article can be obtained requesting it directly to the author : cclarke@post.com
Catherine Clarke SRN, SCM, MSSCH, MBChA
Jan Evans MCSP. Grad Dip Phys
28th September 2015
Mental health disorders are predominantly treated with psychiatric medications, which are licensed psychoactive drugs. This document focuses primarily on psychiatric drug induced mood changing side effects in relation to metabolisation. Metabolism is defined as an ability of the body to break down medications. Individual inability to break down medications efficiently causes toxicity, resulting in side effects. This enlightening information falls outside the remit of mental health mainstream literature. Although ‘side effects’ is common terminology, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) is the more accurate term as it reflects drug induced toxicities and is referred to throughout this document. The term antipsychotic is definitively replaced by neuroleptic, which means literally to ‘seize the nerve’.
Psychiatric Medications Adverse Drug Reactions
Many individuals treated with psychiatric medications experience severe ADRs, without any effective drug response. Whilst antidepressant and neuroleptic drugs can cause iatrogenic physical ADRs, it is not widely known that psychiatric medications can induce mood changing neurotoxic behavioural ADRs. SSRIs for depression can precipitate deepening depression, suicidal ideation, suicide, homicidal ideation, homicide, akathisia and agitation, mania and delirium, severe anxiety, bizarre thinking and reasoning psychosis, and hallucinations. Neuroleptics, used to treat psychosis, are linked with violence, suicidal and homicidal behaviour leading to completed suicide and homicide.
So why do some individuals respond well to drugs and others not?
A major factor for varied drug responses is due to individuals’ differing genetic makeup, known as pharmacogenetics or drug metabolism. Although there are many metabolising systems in the body, the major metabolising systems for psychiatric medications are the CYP450 enzyme system, principally in the liver, and the serotonergic system. Both systems have an important role in the outcome of treatment, ADRs and efficacy.
450CYP Enzyme System
75% of psychiatric drugs including antidepressant and neuroleptic medications, are metabolised through CYP2D6, which is one of the most variable metabolizing enzyme pathways known. Other pathways that metabolise antidepressants and neuroleptic drugs include CYPC19, CYPC9, CYP1A2, CYP 3A4 and CYPA5.Genetic variations, known as alleles, classify individuals as either being Poor Metaboliser (PM), Intermediate Metaboliser (IM), Extensive Metaboliser (EM) or Ultra Metaboliser (UM) genotypes. PMs have two non-functional alleles and IMs have one non-functional allele plus one diminished allele or two diminished alleles or two partially active alleles. UMs have more than two active gene copies on the same allele, or increased expression of a single allele. EMs have one or at the most two functional alleles with ‘normal ‘activity.Genetic variability affects psychiatric medication outcomes. PMs and IMs incur neurotoxicities leading to violent acts, as do UMs with prodrug use. EM individuals are likely to have a therapeutic response without neurotoxic ADRs.EMs determine the window of opportunity for a drug therapeutic level and sets the recommended drug dosage. This is important, as drug companies do not specify drug dosage for UMs, IMs and PMs, which explains why these individuals do not respond well to standard drug doses.
Combined PM and IM frequency via CYP450 2D6:
· 26% Caucasians
· 40-50% African-Americans
· 50% Africans
Statistically, Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) populations have greater difficulty metabolising psychiatric medications compared with White and Asian population, due to the higher frequency of lower metabolism at CYP 2D6. BME groups are four times more likely to experience psychosis than Caucasians, with African Caribbean people three to five times more likely than any other group, of being diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to hospital.
Serotonergic System
Antidepressants and neuroleptics are regulated through the serotonergic system. The serotonin system consists of the Serotonin Transporter Gene and serotonin receptors (5-HT). As with the CYP450 system, the serotonergic system has genetic variations that affect outcomes.
Serotonin Transporter Gene and Antidepressants
Genetic variations in the promoter region of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5HTT-LPR) are coded as L/L (2 long alleles), L/S (a long and a short allele) or S/S (2 short alleles). Those individuals with the L/L code have a ‘normal’ gene activity and respond well to antidepressant medications. In contrast individuals with the short allele have slower gene activity, resulting in a reduction of serotonin transmission. Both L/S and S/S individuals treated with antidepressants have poor outcomes, and a ‘powerfully predicted non response’. Emerging antidepressant ADRs are inevitable for individuals with the short allele.
Individual response to neuroleptic medication is also affected by 5HTT-LPR variations. 50% of individuals coded L/L receiving neuroleptic treatment with haloperidol experienced parkinsonian side effects; however the incidence of parkinsonian side effects for L/S and S/S allele individuals rose to 62.2% and 83.1% respectively.
What is the frequency of 5HTT-LPR Gene Variants?
Population Frequency of 5HTT-LPR Variations
Individuals coded with (S/S) and (S/L) genotype:
Caucasians S/S (39%)
Caucasians S/L (52%)
East Asians S/S (49–74%)
Native Americans S/S (42%)
African Americans S/S (7–17%)
Individuals coded with L/L genotype:
Caucasians (29–43%)
African Americans (45–56%)
Native American (10–14%)
East Asian samples (1–13%)
Serotonin Receptors
There are 14 types of 5-HT receptors that can be targeted by antidepressants and neuroleptics. However the 5-HT 2A serotonin receptor variant, in particular, is associated with individual poor response and increased risk of ADRs when treated with antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This same receptor variant has been linked to poor response from some individuals having neuroleptic treatment.
Genotype Testing
CYP450, 5HTT-LPR and 5-HT receptor genotype testing can determine individual status for metabolizing psychiatric medications. Prescribers do not currently conduct genotype testing prior to treatment and take no account of whether or not individuals are able to efficiently metabolise medication. The current practice is to work on a crude trial and error basis when treating individuals with psychiatric medication.
Genotype testing of an individual prior psychiatric medication treatment would enable assessment and prediction of the potential for neurotoxic behavioural ADRs in line with genotype status as depicted in the table above. The genotype test is a simple blood or swab test and in 2013 the standard cost of a test was £30. Retrospective genotyping for psychiatric drugs has demonstrated that there would have been a significant reduction in the financial outlay/cost based on the use of inappropriate medication and subsequent unnecessary healthcare costs.
Genotype testing is used by pharmaceutical companies during medication trials (stages II - 1V), to de-select individuals who are PMs and potentially liable to suffer severe ADRs. This practice includes trials with psychiatric medication and is done for reasons of safety, and also to show medication in its best light.
Discussion
Neurotoxic behavioural ADRs are not understood in psychiatry. When individuals respond violently to psychiatric medication the practice in psychiatry is to increase the dose and/or polypharmacy. This practice is completely futile as further medications increase neurotoxicities. Individuals are theoretically being overdosed, albeit unwittingly by prescribers. Prescribing of psychiatric medications is done on a crude trial end error basis. Individual suffering is immense. This needs to change.
There is plenty of evidence about these type of studies and researches. Since the pharmaceutical industry has no interest in circulating them it is OUR responsibility, being at the receiving end, to share them and stay informed.
Previous articles by Clarke shedding light on the ill-effect of psychiatric drugs and consequential patient violence were publicised on the Asylum Magazine ( Nos 17.2, 17.3 and 20.3).
The fully referenced and detailed article can be obtained requesting it directly to the author : cclarke@post.com
Catherine Clarke SRN, SCM, MSSCH, MBChA
Jan Evans MCSP. Grad Dip Phys
28th September 2015
Mental health disorders are predominantly treated with psychiatric medications, which are licensed psychoactive drugs. This document focuses primarily on psychiatric drug induced mood changing side effects in relation to metabolisation. Metabolism is defined as an ability of the body to break down medications. Individual inability to break down medications efficiently causes toxicity, resulting in side effects. This enlightening information falls outside the remit of mental health mainstream literature. Although ‘side effects’ is common terminology, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) is the more accurate term as it reflects drug induced toxicities and is referred to throughout this document. The term antipsychotic is definitively replaced by neuroleptic, which means literally to ‘seize the nerve’.
Psychiatric Medications Adverse Drug Reactions
Many individuals treated with psychiatric medications experience severe ADRs, without any effective drug response. Whilst antidepressant and neuroleptic drugs can cause iatrogenic physical ADRs, it is not widely known that psychiatric medications can induce mood changing neurotoxic behavioural ADRs. SSRIs for depression can precipitate deepening depression, suicidal ideation, suicide, homicidal ideation, homicide, akathisia and agitation, mania and delirium, severe anxiety, bizarre thinking and reasoning psychosis, and hallucinations. Neuroleptics, used to treat psychosis, are linked with violence, suicidal and homicidal behaviour leading to completed suicide and homicide.
So why do some individuals respond well to drugs and others not?
A major factor for varied drug responses is due to individuals’ differing genetic makeup, known as pharmacogenetics or drug metabolism. Although there are many metabolising systems in the body, the major metabolising systems for psychiatric medications are the CYP450 enzyme system, principally in the liver, and the serotonergic system. Both systems have an important role in the outcome of treatment, ADRs and efficacy.
450CYP Enzyme System
75% of psychiatric drugs including antidepressant and neuroleptic medications, are metabolised through CYP2D6, which is one of the most variable metabolizing enzyme pathways known. Other pathways that metabolise antidepressants and neuroleptic drugs include CYPC19, CYPC9, CYP1A2, CYP 3A4 and CYPA5.Genetic variations, known as alleles, classify individuals as either being Poor Metaboliser (PM), Intermediate Metaboliser (IM), Extensive Metaboliser (EM) or Ultra Metaboliser (UM) genotypes. PMs have two non-functional alleles and IMs have one non-functional allele plus one diminished allele or two diminished alleles or two partially active alleles. UMs have more than two active gene copies on the same allele, or increased expression of a single allele. EMs have one or at the most two functional alleles with ‘normal ‘activity.Genetic variability affects psychiatric medication outcomes. PMs and IMs incur neurotoxicities leading to violent acts, as do UMs with prodrug use. EM individuals are likely to have a therapeutic response without neurotoxic ADRs.EMs determine the window of opportunity for a drug therapeutic level and sets the recommended drug dosage. This is important, as drug companies do not specify drug dosage for UMs, IMs and PMs, which explains why these individuals do not respond well to standard drug doses.
Combined PM and IM frequency via CYP450 2D6:
· 26% Caucasians
· 40-50% African-Americans
· 50% Africans
Statistically, Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) populations have greater difficulty metabolising psychiatric medications compared with White and Asian population, due to the higher frequency of lower metabolism at CYP 2D6. BME groups are four times more likely to experience psychosis than Caucasians, with African Caribbean people three to five times more likely than any other group, of being diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted to hospital.
Serotonergic System
Antidepressants and neuroleptics are regulated through the serotonergic system. The serotonin system consists of the Serotonin Transporter Gene and serotonin receptors (5-HT). As with the CYP450 system, the serotonergic system has genetic variations that affect outcomes.
Serotonin Transporter Gene and Antidepressants
Genetic variations in the promoter region of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5HTT-LPR) are coded as L/L (2 long alleles), L/S (a long and a short allele) or S/S (2 short alleles). Those individuals with the L/L code have a ‘normal’ gene activity and respond well to antidepressant medications. In contrast individuals with the short allele have slower gene activity, resulting in a reduction of serotonin transmission. Both L/S and S/S individuals treated with antidepressants have poor outcomes, and a ‘powerfully predicted non response’. Emerging antidepressant ADRs are inevitable for individuals with the short allele.
Individual response to neuroleptic medication is also affected by 5HTT-LPR variations. 50% of individuals coded L/L receiving neuroleptic treatment with haloperidol experienced parkinsonian side effects; however the incidence of parkinsonian side effects for L/S and S/S allele individuals rose to 62.2% and 83.1% respectively.
What is the frequency of 5HTT-LPR Gene Variants?
Population Frequency of 5HTT-LPR Variations
Individuals coded with (S/S) and (S/L) genotype:
Caucasians S/S (39%)
Caucasians S/L (52%)
East Asians S/S (49–74%)
Native Americans S/S (42%)
African Americans S/S (7–17%)
Individuals coded with L/L genotype:
Caucasians (29–43%)
African Americans (45–56%)
Native American (10–14%)
East Asian samples (1–13%)
Serotonin Receptors
There are 14 types of 5-HT receptors that can be targeted by antidepressants and neuroleptics. However the 5-HT 2A serotonin receptor variant, in particular, is associated with individual poor response and increased risk of ADRs when treated with antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This same receptor variant has been linked to poor response from some individuals having neuroleptic treatment.
Genotype Testing
CYP450, 5HTT-LPR and 5-HT receptor genotype testing can determine individual status for metabolizing psychiatric medications. Prescribers do not currently conduct genotype testing prior to treatment and take no account of whether or not individuals are able to efficiently metabolise medication. The current practice is to work on a crude trial and error basis when treating individuals with psychiatric medication.
Genotype testing of an individual prior psychiatric medication treatment would enable assessment and prediction of the potential for neurotoxic behavioural ADRs in line with genotype status as depicted in the table above. The genotype test is a simple blood or swab test and in 2013 the standard cost of a test was £30. Retrospective genotyping for psychiatric drugs has demonstrated that there would have been a significant reduction in the financial outlay/cost based on the use of inappropriate medication and subsequent unnecessary healthcare costs.
Genotype testing is used by pharmaceutical companies during medication trials (stages II - 1V), to de-select individuals who are PMs and potentially liable to suffer severe ADRs. This practice includes trials with psychiatric medication and is done for reasons of safety, and also to show medication in its best light.
Discussion
Neurotoxic behavioural ADRs are not understood in psychiatry. When individuals respond violently to psychiatric medication the practice in psychiatry is to increase the dose and/or polypharmacy. This practice is completely futile as further medications increase neurotoxicities. Individuals are theoretically being overdosed, albeit unwittingly by prescribers. Prescribing of psychiatric medications is done on a crude trial end error basis. Individual suffering is immense. This needs to change.
Friday, 16 October 2015
October Newsletter
Dear Friends,
The 10th of October marked World Mental Health Day. "Dignity in Mental Health" was this year's theme chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health, which produced a document for the occasion wfmh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WMHD_report_2015_FINAL.pdf
Yet, mental health patients still suffer torture in the form of forced detention, coercive drugging and forced electroshock. When will this end?hings only change when action is taken.
We would like to invite you to the next FEEL public event "Drug Tyranny & Human Rights" that will take place on Tuesday the 10th of November at the Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, London, E3 3HJ kingsley-hall.co.uk
The speaker for the event are:
• Cristian R. Montenegro (PhD Student at the London School of Economics, member of the Observatory of Human Rights of Persons With Mental Disabilities - Chile) “Global Legal Frameworks and Local Struggles: Experiences from Latin America” lse.academia.edu/CristianRMontenegro
• Paula Peters (national DPAC steering group - Disabled People Against the Cuts) “The Devastating Impact of the Benefit Cuts"
• Dave Skull (Mental Health Resistance Network, Mad Pride) “Compulsory Community Treatment Orders and Coercion in Recovery”
The event will take place between 7-9 PM, however as every Tuesday the Three Bees Cafe will be open for refreshments from 5 PM.
In the main time FEEL monthly meeting is taking place this coming Monday the 19th. Please join us is you can.
As usual, please find below a list of links and events that might be of your interest.
--------------------------------
RD LAING/KINGSLEY HALL PLAY AT THE ARCOLA
Michael Kingsbury (In Lambeth, Ying Tong) directs the world premiere production on the 50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Association and of Laing’s experimental asylum at Kingsley Hall in Bromley-by-Bow.
Alan Cox plays Ronnie Laing in this provocative, freewheeling comedy by the acclaimed playwright and journalist Patrick Marmion.
The Divided Laing will showcase at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, from 17th November - 12th December.
www.arcolatheatre.com/production/arcola/the-divided-laing
--------------------------------
Toynbee Hall and Middlesex University are hosting a seminar: Justice cuttings.
Legal aid cuts and experiences of accessing justice for those in need- to share findings from their joint research that explored the needs and experiences of people who feel they have nowhere else to turn because of legal aid cuts. One of the issues that will be under discussion in the seminar is mental health. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss the impact of legal aid and other cuts on different groups and communities and help to identify possible solutions. The seminar will take place:
Date: Monday 9th November 2015, Time: 3pm to 6:30pm
Venue: Linklaters LLP (Auditorium) - 1 Silk Street London EC2Y 8HQ GB
If you are interested in attending this event, click on the link below to see more information and register:
www.eventbrite.com/e/justice-cuttings-tickets-18875597420
--------------------------------
Power, Interest and Psychology: developing David Smail’s ideas
Thursday 12th November 2015 - Friday 13th November 2015 at Novotel Birmingham Centre
This exciting interdisciplinary event will appeal to anyone wanting to understand the connections between psychology and disciplines such as sociology, epidemiology, philosophy and cultural studies.
David Smail’s last book, ‘Power, Interest and Psychology’, was published in 2005. His other books include ‘How To Survive Without Psychotherapy’ (1996), ‘The Origins of Unhappiness’ (1993), ‘Taking Care’ (1987) and ‘Illusion and Reality: the meaning of anxiety’ (1984). David was appointed head of clinical psychology services in Nottingham in 1969, a post he held until his retirement in 1998. He was also Special Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Nottingham www.kc-jones.co.uk/davidsmail
--------------------------------
More Harm than Good Conference on Psychiatric Drugs Videos:
On September 18th, the one day "More Harm than Good Conference" brought together many of the leaders of the critical psychiatry movement. While the event has passed, the videos and slides from the conference have been made available on the council for evidence-based psychiatry site cepuk.org/moreharmthangood/
The slides from the event can be downloaded here.
The individual videos of each to the talks given at the conference can be accessed on their YouTube channel
at: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eIK8kuf7tht1gV1HApH0g
The individual talks are:
Dr James Davies: The Origins of the DSM www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JPgpasgueQ
Robert Whitaker: Our Psychiatric Drug Epidemic www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4guc7Q8PaQ
Robert Whitaker: ADHD, Changing the Child Instead of the Environment www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlR_-DlO1k0
Prof Peter Gøtzsche: Why Few Patients Benefit and Many are Harmed www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9cfjKOmPF8
Prof John Abraham: The Misadventures of Pharmaceutical Regulation www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qBd4KRbXNc
--------------------------------
New Evidence that Antidepressants Are Causing an Epidemic of Violence
A new article has been circulating recently, presenting the strong links between psychotropic drugs and violence.Other evidence shows that people who have exhibited no propensity for violence or aggression can develop violent behavior soon after beginning antidepressants. Not only that, but the use of these drugs might be the very cause of recurrent psychotic episodes.
Proof of how users became more likely to do violence to themselves or others are not new, they are only rarely mentioned in mainstream services, and information suppressed by the conflict of interest of the pharmaceutical firms.
More in the following links:
www.anh-usa.org/new-evidence-that-antidepressants-are-causing-an-epidemic-of-violence/
http://www.anh-usa.org/take-this-antidepressant-and-you-too-may-have-a-violent-psychotic-break/
Ask the FDA to Warn Patients of SSRI Violence!
Please take part in this action, writing to the FDA to expand black box warnings on SSRI medications.
secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=675
--------------------------------
Press Release of the Hochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Sciences
After more than two years of development the Biographische Archiv der Psychiatrie (Biographical Archive of Psychiatry - BIAPSY) is now online. An initial compilation of 130 biographical entries featuring influential individuals from the history of psychiatry is now available at www.biapsy.de.
The innovative online archive was developed at the Hochschule Niederrhein under the supervision of Professor Dr. Burkhart Brückner of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences. The project was made possible by a funding programme for the humanities and social sciences offered by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. On the one hand the online archive features famous individuals from the world of science, on the other it also includes patients and members of their families. "In accordance with the principle of a ‘history from below’, we are also documenting the viewpoints of patients with psychiatric experiences. "We therefore combine the historiography of the psychiatric profession with patient-centred historiography," Brückner comments, describing the participatory approach of his team.
Which role do the patients play in the history of psychiatry? Which famous individuals were the most influential? Why does a person become a psychiatrist or psychotherapist? These are typical questions that were at the centre of focus during compilation of the short biographies. "We seek to address these questions in their respective socio-historical contexts," Brückner reports. "Particular attention was paid to ensuring scientific quality. Our sources and texts comply with the medical historical standards," he continues. The earliest entry in the online archive presents the Late Medieval English mystic Margery Kempe. However, the emphasis is on individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another criterion: Only individuals who have been deceased for at least two years are included. So far, around 40 percent of the existing biographies have also been translated into English. The most famous people featured in the archive include Vincent van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, Karl Jaspers, Carl Rogers and Emil Kraepelin. The patients’ perspective is documented in articles such as those on the 17th-century Englishman James Carcasse, the 19th-century German author Friedrich Krauß or Anna Pauline Bleuler, the sister of the Swiss physician Eugen Bleuler (who coined the term "schizophrenia" in 1911 and was both a professional and a relative). Brückner also cites the Italian Adalgisa Conti: "From 1914 onwards, she spent a total of 65 years at an asylum in Arezzo; her fate is a typical example of the conditions in such institutions until the reforms of the 1970s." There are plans to extend the archive in the future. "BIAPSY is open for suggestions and other contributions. The project is now off the ground and everyone who feels competent can submit a suitable biography. We will then review the texts and ensure that they meet certain quality standards, after which they will be made available online," explains Brückner." We may also be looking for private donations or applying for new research funding that will allow us to extend the Biographical Archive of Psychiatry," Professor Brückner continues. Press contact: Tim Wellbrock, University Communications Office of the Hochschule Niederrhein: Phone: +49 (0) 2151 822 2934; email: tim.wellbrock@hs-niederrhein.de Dr. Christian SonntagPressesprecher und LeiterReferat Hochschulkommunikation Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
Postanschrift: Reinarzstraße 49, 47805 Krefeld
Besucheradresse: Obergath 79, 47805 Krefeld, Gebäude J, Raum 219 Tel.: +49 2151 822-3610
E-Mail: christian.sonntag@hs-niederrhein.dewww.hs-niederrhein.dewww.facebook.com/HochschuleNiederrhein Unsere aktuellen Pressemeldungen beiTwitterwww.twitter.com/HSNiederrhein
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Entries Courtesy of Dr Stephen Woodhams:
David Cooper: antipsychiatry revisited
David Coopers was one of the initiators in 1965 of the 'social experiment' at Kingsley Hall. Perhaps more than any other of the professional participants, If in retrospect the term confused as much as helped understanding of the project, it was David Cooper who coined the term 'antipsychiatry'. His contribution was to perhaps the main link between radical rethinking of 'madness' and the wider New Left. The Dialectics of Liberation congress in 1967 was in large part the work of David Cooper. Subsequently David Cooper, RD Laing, the Philadelphia Association parted company, each following their own path. In the course of time David Cooper has come to be over looked, and his strategic position in making possible critical thinking around 'mental health' forgotten. It is therefore of significance that the Philadelphia Association have added to their website the following link, Psychiatry AntiPsychiatry ReVisited antipsychiatry.wikifoundry.com/
This as yet is a website in development. Those associated with FEEL or who otherwise read this Newsletter, may however have memories or know of David Cooper and be interested in contributing to remaking the radical politics associated with his name. And with the fiftieth anniversary of the Dialectics congress only two years away, this is an suitable time.
SO WHO'S TELLING PORKIES?
It seems that among the the very highest in the land unanimity as to what makes us bonkers is no longer to be found. Alas, no less an illustrious body than the Division of Clinical Psychology of The British Psychological Society (how's that for an impressive name?) have declared a 'paradigm shift'. They have dared to question the sacred and holy rite that our bonkersness lies in our biology. Even that those famous chemical imbalances, for which we need all those rebalancing chemical stuffed drugs, may not be quite so certain as claimed. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is not pleased (to be fair if someone came along and said you've been talking cobblers for years, nor might you be). For the outcome of this most noble feud we shall no doubt have to wait. Meantime though you might wind up your psychiatrist at your next appointment by putting between you a copy of the Position Statement www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/cat1325.pdf
--------------------------------
Critical Psychiatry Network Conference
The British Psychological Society's History & Philosophy of Psychology Section in collaboration with the UK Critical Psychiatry Network invites submissions for its 2016 Annual Conference to be held at Leeds Trinity University 22nd23rd March. The theme of the conference is the history of mental health, with a keynote address from Dr. Joanna Moncrieff (University College London). Papers are invited in related areas such as clinical psychology, psychiatry, service users, resistances to psychiatry, critical perspectives and interventions. For further information go to: www.bps.org.uk/events/conferences/historymentalhealthjointannualconferencehistory- andphilosophypsychologysectionandukcriti
The 10th of October marked World Mental Health Day. "Dignity in Mental Health" was this year's theme chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health, which produced a document for the occasion wfmh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WMHD_report_2015_FINAL.pdf
Yet, mental health patients still suffer torture in the form of forced detention, coercive drugging and forced electroshock. When will this end?hings only change when action is taken.
We would like to invite you to the next FEEL public event "Drug Tyranny & Human Rights" that will take place on Tuesday the 10th of November at the Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, London, E3 3HJ kingsley-hall.co.uk
The speaker for the event are:
• Cristian R. Montenegro (PhD Student at the London School of Economics, member of the Observatory of Human Rights of Persons With Mental Disabilities - Chile) “Global Legal Frameworks and Local Struggles: Experiences from Latin America” lse.academia.edu/CristianRMontenegro
• Paula Peters (national DPAC steering group - Disabled People Against the Cuts) “The Devastating Impact of the Benefit Cuts"
• Dave Skull (Mental Health Resistance Network, Mad Pride) “Compulsory Community Treatment Orders and Coercion in Recovery”
The event will take place between 7-9 PM, however as every Tuesday the Three Bees Cafe will be open for refreshments from 5 PM.
In the main time FEEL monthly meeting is taking place this coming Monday the 19th. Please join us is you can.
As usual, please find below a list of links and events that might be of your interest.
--------------------------------
RD LAING/KINGSLEY HALL PLAY AT THE ARCOLA
Michael Kingsbury (In Lambeth, Ying Tong) directs the world premiere production on the 50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Association and of Laing’s experimental asylum at Kingsley Hall in Bromley-by-Bow.
Alan Cox plays Ronnie Laing in this provocative, freewheeling comedy by the acclaimed playwright and journalist Patrick Marmion.
The Divided Laing will showcase at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, from 17th November - 12th December.
www.arcolatheatre.com/production/arcola/the-divided-laing
--------------------------------
Toynbee Hall and Middlesex University are hosting a seminar: Justice cuttings.
Legal aid cuts and experiences of accessing justice for those in need- to share findings from their joint research that explored the needs and experiences of people who feel they have nowhere else to turn because of legal aid cuts. One of the issues that will be under discussion in the seminar is mental health. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss the impact of legal aid and other cuts on different groups and communities and help to identify possible solutions. The seminar will take place:
Date: Monday 9th November 2015, Time: 3pm to 6:30pm
Venue: Linklaters LLP (Auditorium) - 1 Silk Street London EC2Y 8HQ GB
If you are interested in attending this event, click on the link below to see more information and register:
www.eventbrite.com/e/justice-cuttings-tickets-18875597420
--------------------------------
Power, Interest and Psychology: developing David Smail’s ideas
Thursday 12th November 2015 - Friday 13th November 2015 at Novotel Birmingham Centre
This exciting interdisciplinary event will appeal to anyone wanting to understand the connections between psychology and disciplines such as sociology, epidemiology, philosophy and cultural studies.
David Smail’s last book, ‘Power, Interest and Psychology’, was published in 2005. His other books include ‘How To Survive Without Psychotherapy’ (1996), ‘The Origins of Unhappiness’ (1993), ‘Taking Care’ (1987) and ‘Illusion and Reality: the meaning of anxiety’ (1984). David was appointed head of clinical psychology services in Nottingham in 1969, a post he held until his retirement in 1998. He was also Special Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Nottingham www.kc-jones.co.uk/davidsmail
--------------------------------
More Harm than Good Conference on Psychiatric Drugs Videos:
On September 18th, the one day "More Harm than Good Conference" brought together many of the leaders of the critical psychiatry movement. While the event has passed, the videos and slides from the conference have been made available on the council for evidence-based psychiatry site cepuk.org/moreharmthangood/
The slides from the event can be downloaded here.
The individual videos of each to the talks given at the conference can be accessed on their YouTube channel
at: www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eIK8kuf7tht1gV1HApH0g
The individual talks are:
Dr James Davies: The Origins of the DSM www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JPgpasgueQ
Robert Whitaker: Our Psychiatric Drug Epidemic www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4guc7Q8PaQ
Robert Whitaker: ADHD, Changing the Child Instead of the Environment www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlR_-DlO1k0
Prof Peter Gøtzsche: Why Few Patients Benefit and Many are Harmed www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9cfjKOmPF8
Prof John Abraham: The Misadventures of Pharmaceutical Regulation www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qBd4KRbXNc
--------------------------------
New Evidence that Antidepressants Are Causing an Epidemic of Violence
A new article has been circulating recently, presenting the strong links between psychotropic drugs and violence.Other evidence shows that people who have exhibited no propensity for violence or aggression can develop violent behavior soon after beginning antidepressants. Not only that, but the use of these drugs might be the very cause of recurrent psychotic episodes.
Proof of how users became more likely to do violence to themselves or others are not new, they are only rarely mentioned in mainstream services, and information suppressed by the conflict of interest of the pharmaceutical firms.
More in the following links:
www.anh-usa.org/new-evidence-that-antidepressants-are-causing-an-epidemic-of-violence/
http://www.anh-usa.org/take-this-antidepressant-and-you-too-may-have-a-violent-psychotic-break/
Ask the FDA to Warn Patients of SSRI Violence!
Please take part in this action, writing to the FDA to expand black box warnings on SSRI medications.
secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=675
--------------------------------
Press Release of the Hochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Sciences
After more than two years of development the Biographische Archiv der Psychiatrie (Biographical Archive of Psychiatry - BIAPSY) is now online. An initial compilation of 130 biographical entries featuring influential individuals from the history of psychiatry is now available at www.biapsy.de.
The innovative online archive was developed at the Hochschule Niederrhein under the supervision of Professor Dr. Burkhart Brückner of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences. The project was made possible by a funding programme for the humanities and social sciences offered by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. On the one hand the online archive features famous individuals from the world of science, on the other it also includes patients and members of their families. "In accordance with the principle of a ‘history from below’, we are also documenting the viewpoints of patients with psychiatric experiences. "We therefore combine the historiography of the psychiatric profession with patient-centred historiography," Brückner comments, describing the participatory approach of his team.
Which role do the patients play in the history of psychiatry? Which famous individuals were the most influential? Why does a person become a psychiatrist or psychotherapist? These are typical questions that were at the centre of focus during compilation of the short biographies. "We seek to address these questions in their respective socio-historical contexts," Brückner reports. "Particular attention was paid to ensuring scientific quality. Our sources and texts comply with the medical historical standards," he continues. The earliest entry in the online archive presents the Late Medieval English mystic Margery Kempe. However, the emphasis is on individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another criterion: Only individuals who have been deceased for at least two years are included. So far, around 40 percent of the existing biographies have also been translated into English. The most famous people featured in the archive include Vincent van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, Karl Jaspers, Carl Rogers and Emil Kraepelin. The patients’ perspective is documented in articles such as those on the 17th-century Englishman James Carcasse, the 19th-century German author Friedrich Krauß or Anna Pauline Bleuler, the sister of the Swiss physician Eugen Bleuler (who coined the term "schizophrenia" in 1911 and was both a professional and a relative). Brückner also cites the Italian Adalgisa Conti: "From 1914 onwards, she spent a total of 65 years at an asylum in Arezzo; her fate is a typical example of the conditions in such institutions until the reforms of the 1970s." There are plans to extend the archive in the future. "BIAPSY is open for suggestions and other contributions. The project is now off the ground and everyone who feels competent can submit a suitable biography. We will then review the texts and ensure that they meet certain quality standards, after which they will be made available online," explains Brückner." We may also be looking for private donations or applying for new research funding that will allow us to extend the Biographical Archive of Psychiatry," Professor Brückner continues. Press contact: Tim Wellbrock, University Communications Office of the Hochschule Niederrhein: Phone: +49 (0) 2151 822 2934; email: tim.wellbrock@hs-niederrhein.de Dr. Christian SonntagPressesprecher und LeiterReferat Hochschulkommunikation Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
Postanschrift: Reinarzstraße 49, 47805 Krefeld
Besucheradresse: Obergath 79, 47805 Krefeld, Gebäude J, Raum 219 Tel.: +49 2151 822-3610
E-Mail: christian.sonntag@hs-niederrhein.dewww.hs-niederrhein.dewww.facebook.com/HochschuleNiederrhein Unsere aktuellen Pressemeldungen beiTwitterwww.twitter.com/HSNiederrhein
--------------------------------
Entries Courtesy of Dr Stephen Woodhams:
David Cooper: antipsychiatry revisited
David Coopers was one of the initiators in 1965 of the 'social experiment' at Kingsley Hall. Perhaps more than any other of the professional participants, If in retrospect the term confused as much as helped understanding of the project, it was David Cooper who coined the term 'antipsychiatry'. His contribution was to perhaps the main link between radical rethinking of 'madness' and the wider New Left. The Dialectics of Liberation congress in 1967 was in large part the work of David Cooper. Subsequently David Cooper, RD Laing, the Philadelphia Association parted company, each following their own path. In the course of time David Cooper has come to be over looked, and his strategic position in making possible critical thinking around 'mental health' forgotten. It is therefore of significance that the Philadelphia Association have added to their website the following link, Psychiatry AntiPsychiatry ReVisited antipsychiatry.wikifoundry.com/
This as yet is a website in development. Those associated with FEEL or who otherwise read this Newsletter, may however have memories or know of David Cooper and be interested in contributing to remaking the radical politics associated with his name. And with the fiftieth anniversary of the Dialectics congress only two years away, this is an suitable time.
SO WHO'S TELLING PORKIES?
It seems that among the the very highest in the land unanimity as to what makes us bonkers is no longer to be found. Alas, no less an illustrious body than the Division of Clinical Psychology of The British Psychological Society (how's that for an impressive name?) have declared a 'paradigm shift'. They have dared to question the sacred and holy rite that our bonkersness lies in our biology. Even that those famous chemical imbalances, for which we need all those rebalancing chemical stuffed drugs, may not be quite so certain as claimed. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is not pleased (to be fair if someone came along and said you've been talking cobblers for years, nor might you be). For the outcome of this most noble feud we shall no doubt have to wait. Meantime though you might wind up your psychiatrist at your next appointment by putting between you a copy of the Position Statement www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/cat1325.pdf
--------------------------------
Critical Psychiatry Network Conference
The British Psychological Society's History & Philosophy of Psychology Section in collaboration with the UK Critical Psychiatry Network invites submissions for its 2016 Annual Conference to be held at Leeds Trinity University 22nd23rd March. The theme of the conference is the history of mental health, with a keynote address from Dr. Joanna Moncrieff (University College London). Papers are invited in related areas such as clinical psychology, psychiatry, service users, resistances to psychiatry, critical perspectives and interventions. For further information go to: www.bps.org.uk/events/conferences/historymentalhealthjointannualconferencehistory- andphilosophypsychologysectionandukcriti
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Community event
East London in crisis
resisting austerity, building community
Community event
26 September 2015 from 2.30pm till late
Venue St Matthias Community Centre
113 Poplar High St, London E14 0AE
Nearest station Poplar DLR
Meet local campaigners
Find out what’s happening to our communities
Share how we’re fighting back
Everyone welcome
Afternoon
Workshops with east London campaigners:
NHS • benefits • mental health services • education • housing • trade union rights • the environment
Bring food to share
Evening
Cabaret benefit Raising funds for coaches to the Anti-Austerity demo in Manchester on 4 Oct 2015.
This event has been launched by Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public, with backing from Tower Hamlets People’s Assembly and Tower Hamlets Unison.
The old East End had a tradition of fighting for its rights.
That hasn’t changed.
Across east London, campaigners are fighting to save our services, our rights and our communities.
We say austerity’s a con. Being forced to pay for the global banking crisis through massive cuts to jobs and services is not just criminally unjust, it’s economically unworkable.
We think the real political agenda of austerity is even worse – it’s the creeping privatisation of services like the NHS, the theft of our land, the 50,000 families forced out of London in the past three years, the failure to tackle climate change, and the mounting attacks on trade union rights, claimants, people with disabilities and people with mental health problems.
In east London, we won’t sit back and let this happen.
The aim of our event is to bring people together to share their local knowledge and campaigning experience with each other. Everyone is welcome.
This event was called by Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public, with backing from Tower Hamlets People’s Assembly and Tower Hamlets Unison. The event is supported by a large number of groups across east London. They include: health campaigners; trades unionists; pro-housing and anti-developer campaigners; claimants groups; mental health groups; environmental campaigners; local community groups.
Come with us to Manchester: Tower Hamlets Unison and Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public are taking coaches to the People’s Assembly Anti-Austerity demonstration in Manchester on Sunday 4 October 2015. To reserve a seat (£25 or £10 unwaged), email THkeepourNHSpublic@gmail.com
resisting austerity, building community
Community event
26 September 2015 from 2.30pm till late
Venue St Matthias Community Centre
113 Poplar High St, London E14 0AE
Nearest station Poplar DLR
Meet local campaigners
Find out what’s happening to our communities
Share how we’re fighting back
Everyone welcome
Afternoon
Workshops with east London campaigners:
NHS • benefits • mental health services • education • housing • trade union rights • the environment
Bring food to share
Evening
Cabaret benefit Raising funds for coaches to the Anti-Austerity demo in Manchester on 4 Oct 2015.
This event has been launched by Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public, with backing from Tower Hamlets People’s Assembly and Tower Hamlets Unison.
The old East End had a tradition of fighting for its rights.
That hasn’t changed.
Across east London, campaigners are fighting to save our services, our rights and our communities.
We say austerity’s a con. Being forced to pay for the global banking crisis through massive cuts to jobs and services is not just criminally unjust, it’s economically unworkable.
We think the real political agenda of austerity is even worse – it’s the creeping privatisation of services like the NHS, the theft of our land, the 50,000 families forced out of London in the past three years, the failure to tackle climate change, and the mounting attacks on trade union rights, claimants, people with disabilities and people with mental health problems.
In east London, we won’t sit back and let this happen.
The aim of our event is to bring people together to share their local knowledge and campaigning experience with each other. Everyone is welcome.
This event was called by Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public, with backing from Tower Hamlets People’s Assembly and Tower Hamlets Unison. The event is supported by a large number of groups across east London. They include: health campaigners; trades unionists; pro-housing and anti-developer campaigners; claimants groups; mental health groups; environmental campaigners; local community groups.
Come with us to Manchester: Tower Hamlets Unison and Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public are taking coaches to the People’s Assembly Anti-Austerity demonstration in Manchester on Sunday 4 October 2015. To reserve a seat (£25 or £10 unwaged), email THkeepourNHSpublic@gmail.com
September Newsletter Extra
The Philadelphia Association
50th Anniversary Celebrations
25 September - 4 October 2015
www.philadelphia-association.org.uk/documents/PA_50th_Anniversary1.8.15.pdf
The PA came into being 50 years ago to challenge and to widen the discourse around the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. So it seems wholly appropriate that we celebrate this landmark in our history with a week-long programme featuring a diverse range of performances, talks and events.
Tickets are free of charge, donations accepted for the PA Therapy Aid Fund.
To book a place at any of the above events please contact our administrator on 0300 123 1708 or via email office@philadelphia-association.org.uk
4 Marty’s Yard, 17 Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1QW
For directions to Marty’s Yard please go to our website:
www.philadelphia-association.org.uk and click on ‘Contact Us’
50th Anniversary Celebrations
25 September - 4 October 2015
www.philadelphia-association.org.uk/documents/PA_50th_Anniversary1.8.15.pdf
The PA came into being 50 years ago to challenge and to widen the discourse around the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. So it seems wholly appropriate that we celebrate this landmark in our history with a week-long programme featuring a diverse range of performances, talks and events.
Tickets are free of charge, donations accepted for the PA Therapy Aid Fund.
To book a place at any of the above events please contact our administrator on 0300 123 1708 or via email office@philadelphia-association.org.uk
4 Marty’s Yard, 17 Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1QW
For directions to Marty’s Yard please go to our website:
www.philadelphia-association.org.uk and click on ‘Contact Us’
Monday, 14 September 2015
September Newsletter
Dear Friends,
It's FEEL monthly meeting time again next week. Come along to celebrate the end of a Summer and the beginning of a new season on Monday the 21st of September, on Peace Day. We'll also raise a toast to the amazing Myra Garrett in occasion of her birthday, taking the chance to thank her for all the work and inspiration she has offered for many years.
F.E.E.L. is supporting and holding a stall for Open House London at Kingsley Hall, Bow this Saturday the 19th.
Guided tours of the building will run by the hour from 12pm, closing at 6pm (a BSL/SSE tour will be available at 3:15pm). Come along to see where Gandhi lived during his London stay, R.D. Laing Asylum with the Philadelphia Association which is where it was initially started 50 years ago; find out the whole history of the Lester sisters, founders of the Hall kingsley-hall.co.uk/
More events listed below. Have a good week!
FEEL meets the third Monday of each month 6.30-8.30pm
@ LARC Centre 62, Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel E1 1ES
--------------------------------
Mental Wealth Festival at City Lit
Beyond Words, City Lit and Cathedral Innovation Centre have teamed up to create the inaugural Mental Wealth Festival in London, 16-17 September 2015. The Mental Wealth Festival will highlight the way mental health issues impact on so many aspects of daily life, and how the arts, politics, culture, faith and the media can support our ‘mental wealth’. Speakers include the Minister of State for Community and Social Care, Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, and award winning author Nathan Filer.
It’s well known that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. With just under 1million people in contact with mental health services within the UK, (at least a fifth of whom have learning disabilities), it is clear people are not accessing all support on offer. With this in mind the two day festival will explore the many facets of mental health, and look at the support and innovations in the field.
The festival comprises a series of free seminars, workshops and pop-up events looking at ways to support and celebrate people's mental wellbeing.
In particular, the festival will draw upon the themes of creativity, wellbeing and emotional resilience with input from individuals, professionals and the wider community. The theme of the festival is a positive one with an emphasis on championing ability, recovery and strength in solidarity.
There will be a range of informative and interactive ways to engage including film screenings, exhibitions, talks, Mindfulness, keynotes, book signings, live art, debates, learning, creativity and art workshops.
www.citylit.ac.uk/mental-wealth-festival
--------------------------------
Luke Fowler: All Divided Selves
Film London Jarman Award-winner Luke Fowler’s 16mm feature portrait of radical anti-psychiatrist R.D. Laing is introduced by John Foot, author of The Man Who Closed the Asylums, book about Laing’s Italian counterpart, Franco Basaglia. In association with Verso Books.
Thurs 1 October, 7pm Zilkha Auditorium Whitechapel Gallery 77-82 Whitechapel High Street London E1 7QX
www.whitechapelgallery.org/events/luke-fowler-all-divided-selves/
--------------------------------
Kindred Minds’ Black History Month - Mental health and wellbeing Special
Inspire, The Crypt, St Peters Church, Liverpool Grove, London SE17 2HH
Saturday 3 October 2015 from 1.30pm
An event exploring Black history, wellbeing and mental health through discussions, workshops, film and music.
Hot evening meal provided.
The event will inform the writing of a mental health manifesto which aims to change policies and practice of relevance to the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic mental health service users. This event is open to everyone and is organised by Kindred Minds, a Southwark based Black and Minority Ethnic mental health service user group.
There is no charge for this event but please pre-register by emailing Raza Griffiths on kindredmindslondon@gmail.com to receive a registration form or ring 07737 647 445 for further information
--------------------------------
CoolTan: Join a fun guided walk for World Mental Health Day.
Exploring South London’s vibrant musical history.
There’s nothing like music to uplift the soul!
Learn about musical landmarks, local musicians, sound art and the connection between music and mental wellbeing. Enjoy live musical performances and learn the words to our favourite London songs! Dress up as your favourite musician or song, bring instruments or simply come along to enjoy the noise.
The walk length is 4.8 miles, the route is accessible and will led us through the streets of Southwark. By taking part you will be really helping CoolTan to continue our vital work; supporting people with mental distress to build a quality of life. The registration fee is £5 unwaged, £10 waged.
Date: Saturday October 10th 2015, 11.30am-4pm
Starts: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ (outside the main entrance)
Once registered you will receive an official sponsorship form. Register online now.
--------------------------------
Penny Lectures | Autumn series 2015
To celebrate its 125 year anniversary Morley College is reviving the Penny Lectures. The Penny Lectures began in 1882 at the Old Vic Theatre in Waterloo. Topics were chosen to encourage new thinking and ideas and provided illustrated lectures at affordable prices…a penny! The lectures were a huge success and quickly led to the establishment of ‘Morley Memorial College’ for Working Men and Women. Now celebrating the 125th anniversary, the Penny Lecture series have being revived for a new generation of adults to learn from and be inspired by.
Creativity and Mental Liberation
Sarah Wheeler, founder of Mental Fight Club. Dolly Sen, writer, film-maker and mental health consultant. Bobby Baker, artist and author. Sarah Wheeler, Dolly Sen and Bobby Baker, all with lived experience of mental illness, describe how creative practice has saved and transformed their lives. Friday 23 October. Doors at 18:00, lecture from 18:30-20:00 www.morleycollege.ac.uk/pennylectures
--------------------------------
Connect and Discover ( part of The Dragon Cafe)
Join us at Morley College - part of Connect and Discover We are going to be re-creating a mini-Dragon Cafe pop up at Morley College at the end of the month, and then regular Fridays until March 2016. You can check out the Connect and Discover programme here to get the full details. Join us on Friday 25th September at 2 - 5 pm for a creative and social end to the month PLUS we will be having a special Launch Event at 5 - 6 pm with special guests and entertainment to celebrate our new adventure. This is free and open to everyone. See you there! Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HT T: 020 7450 1889
Discover programme here to get the full details.
--------------------------------
Campaigning for the Future: How can we work better to secure our rights?
Download Campaigning for the Future Final report
This report offers the views of a wide range of disabled people about present UK disability policy and how they may best work to improve it. In 2011 Jenny Morris wrote a Viewpoint report, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation called Rethinking Disability Policy. Shaping Our Lives have facilitated two meetings to enable disabled people to discuss what they think about the findings of the report and look at ways in which disabled people can lead improvements to policy and practice as experts by experience – disabled people living and working in austerity Britain from 2012 through to mid-2015. Continues HERE
It's FEEL monthly meeting time again next week. Come along to celebrate the end of a Summer and the beginning of a new season on Monday the 21st of September, on Peace Day. We'll also raise a toast to the amazing Myra Garrett in occasion of her birthday, taking the chance to thank her for all the work and inspiration she has offered for many years.
F.E.E.L. is supporting and holding a stall for Open House London at Kingsley Hall, Bow this Saturday the 19th.
Guided tours of the building will run by the hour from 12pm, closing at 6pm (a BSL/SSE tour will be available at 3:15pm). Come along to see where Gandhi lived during his London stay, R.D. Laing Asylum with the Philadelphia Association which is where it was initially started 50 years ago; find out the whole history of the Lester sisters, founders of the Hall kingsley-hall.co.uk/
More events listed below. Have a good week!
FEEL meets the third Monday of each month 6.30-8.30pm
@ LARC Centre 62, Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel E1 1ES
--------------------------------
Mental Wealth Festival at City Lit
Beyond Words, City Lit and Cathedral Innovation Centre have teamed up to create the inaugural Mental Wealth Festival in London, 16-17 September 2015. The Mental Wealth Festival will highlight the way mental health issues impact on so many aspects of daily life, and how the arts, politics, culture, faith and the media can support our ‘mental wealth’. Speakers include the Minister of State for Community and Social Care, Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, and award winning author Nathan Filer.
It’s well known that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. With just under 1million people in contact with mental health services within the UK, (at least a fifth of whom have learning disabilities), it is clear people are not accessing all support on offer. With this in mind the two day festival will explore the many facets of mental health, and look at the support and innovations in the field.
The festival comprises a series of free seminars, workshops and pop-up events looking at ways to support and celebrate people's mental wellbeing.
In particular, the festival will draw upon the themes of creativity, wellbeing and emotional resilience with input from individuals, professionals and the wider community. The theme of the festival is a positive one with an emphasis on championing ability, recovery and strength in solidarity.
There will be a range of informative and interactive ways to engage including film screenings, exhibitions, talks, Mindfulness, keynotes, book signings, live art, debates, learning, creativity and art workshops.
www.citylit.ac.uk/mental-wealth-festival
--------------------------------
Luke Fowler: All Divided Selves
Film London Jarman Award-winner Luke Fowler’s 16mm feature portrait of radical anti-psychiatrist R.D. Laing is introduced by John Foot, author of The Man Who Closed the Asylums, book about Laing’s Italian counterpart, Franco Basaglia. In association with Verso Books.
Thurs 1 October, 7pm Zilkha Auditorium Whitechapel Gallery 77-82 Whitechapel High Street London E1 7QX
www.whitechapelgallery.org/events/luke-fowler-all-divided-selves/
--------------------------------
Kindred Minds’ Black History Month - Mental health and wellbeing Special
Inspire, The Crypt, St Peters Church, Liverpool Grove, London SE17 2HH
Saturday 3 October 2015 from 1.30pm
An event exploring Black history, wellbeing and mental health through discussions, workshops, film and music.
Hot evening meal provided.
The event will inform the writing of a mental health manifesto which aims to change policies and practice of relevance to the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic mental health service users. This event is open to everyone and is organised by Kindred Minds, a Southwark based Black and Minority Ethnic mental health service user group.
There is no charge for this event but please pre-register by emailing Raza Griffiths on kindredmindslondon@gmail.com to receive a registration form or ring 07737 647 445 for further information
--------------------------------
CoolTan: Join a fun guided walk for World Mental Health Day.
Exploring South London’s vibrant musical history.
There’s nothing like music to uplift the soul!
Learn about musical landmarks, local musicians, sound art and the connection between music and mental wellbeing. Enjoy live musical performances and learn the words to our favourite London songs! Dress up as your favourite musician or song, bring instruments or simply come along to enjoy the noise.
The walk length is 4.8 miles, the route is accessible and will led us through the streets of Southwark. By taking part you will be really helping CoolTan to continue our vital work; supporting people with mental distress to build a quality of life. The registration fee is £5 unwaged, £10 waged.
Date: Saturday October 10th 2015, 11.30am-4pm
Starts: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ (outside the main entrance)
Once registered you will receive an official sponsorship form. Register online now.
--------------------------------
Penny Lectures | Autumn series 2015
To celebrate its 125 year anniversary Morley College is reviving the Penny Lectures. The Penny Lectures began in 1882 at the Old Vic Theatre in Waterloo. Topics were chosen to encourage new thinking and ideas and provided illustrated lectures at affordable prices…a penny! The lectures were a huge success and quickly led to the establishment of ‘Morley Memorial College’ for Working Men and Women. Now celebrating the 125th anniversary, the Penny Lecture series have being revived for a new generation of adults to learn from and be inspired by.
Creativity and Mental Liberation
Sarah Wheeler, founder of Mental Fight Club. Dolly Sen, writer, film-maker and mental health consultant. Bobby Baker, artist and author. Sarah Wheeler, Dolly Sen and Bobby Baker, all with lived experience of mental illness, describe how creative practice has saved and transformed their lives. Friday 23 October. Doors at 18:00, lecture from 18:30-20:00 www.morleycollege.ac.uk/pennylectures
--------------------------------
Connect and Discover ( part of The Dragon Cafe)
Join us at Morley College - part of Connect and Discover We are going to be re-creating a mini-Dragon Cafe pop up at Morley College at the end of the month, and then regular Fridays until March 2016. You can check out the Connect and Discover programme here to get the full details. Join us on Friday 25th September at 2 - 5 pm for a creative and social end to the month PLUS we will be having a special Launch Event at 5 - 6 pm with special guests and entertainment to celebrate our new adventure. This is free and open to everyone. See you there! Morley College, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HT T: 020 7450 1889
Discover programme here to get the full details.
--------------------------------
Campaigning for the Future: How can we work better to secure our rights?
Download Campaigning for the Future Final report
This report offers the views of a wide range of disabled people about present UK disability policy and how they may best work to improve it. In 2011 Jenny Morris wrote a Viewpoint report, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation called Rethinking Disability Policy. Shaping Our Lives have facilitated two meetings to enable disabled people to discuss what they think about the findings of the report and look at ways in which disabled people can lead improvements to policy and practice as experts by experience – disabled people living and working in austerity Britain from 2012 through to mid-2015. Continues HERE
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