Dear Friends,
I hate to be sharing so many sad news, while thinking of all the people affected by this tragedy in the Grenfell Tower.
Please find here and attached the details for our friend Philip Morgan funeral, taking place tomorrow Thursday 15th June.
Church Service10.30 am: New Testament Church, Lambert Road, Brixton Hill, SW2 5BB
Burial1.30pm: Lambeth Cemetery, Blackshaw Road, SW17 0BY
Reception 4.30pm St. Martins Community Centre, 57 Abbotts Park, SW2 3QX
Family kindly requests all attendees to wear a touch of white.
Another recent sad loss for the disabled campaigning movement in the UK is the recent passing of extraordinary artist Sophie Partridge bit.ly/2tnNaPm
With all respect for the sad events mentioned above, changing the subject into a more uplifting theme, the updates about The Loonies Fest. All updates will be shared on our blog bit.ly/2sh1Bbk
Do come along to our monthly meeting at LARC next Monday the 19th June from 6:30pm to discuss this further if keen to get involved, please. There will also be a brainstorming session on Tuesday the 4th of July at Kingsley Hall between 4-6pm.
Have you seen the new Laing movie yet? Here my review bit.ly/2sqfu6e
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It's Carer's Week: remembering the millions of people working for free (if not receiving the ridiculous Carer’s Allowance of £62.70 per week for a minimum of 35hrs of work - April 2017-18 quotes). Let's not forget the many children often working for their disabled parents from early age, the spouses, friends and family members.
Many blessings to all the carers, and please do not forget to care for yourself, before caring for others.
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This week is also Creativity and Wellbeing Week www.creativityandwellbeing.org.uk/
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Asylum: Action and Reaction Conference Wednesday 28 June 2017 Roscoe Building,University of Manchester, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL
bit.ly/2rihaez
The Asylum magazine it's 30 years old!!! Well done and Congratulations to all involved!
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Please find attached the latest Poetry Express Newsletter #54
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Soul relics Museum
Soul Relics is an online platform on storytelling, objects and mental health.It is a gallery of photos of objects and personal stories that are related to a difficult time of your lives (A period of mental ill health); and/or something that helped you work towards recovery. That object can be anything of personal significance, or/and represent institutional barrier to mental health care, etc.
More info: bit.ly/2sbLXLD
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)
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
Mad to Be Normal - A Loonie review
(Post updated on Saturday 24 June 2017)
Simply renamed 'Mad To Be' on our cinema tickets, the R.D. Laing biopic resulted a very entertaining and inspiring viewing.
Probably one of the best cinema outings that I can remember of, as Dee organised a ride with Myra to reach the North London cinema, giving us time to chat and catch up en route. Later we met a party of North Londoners, included Ben, Laing's youngest son, and friends for a round up of analysis of the movie.
Now, I am certainly NOT a film critic, nor a tiny expert in films whatsoever, so do watch your expectations while reading this review, please. Must also add that being partially deaf, my capacity to follow dialogues in a film with no captions is very limited; hence, while watching a movie I often tend to create my own story, according to what my intuition lets me capture. Having a rough idea of the rough story certainly helped me in following Mad2B. And this was the Laing movie, something somehow very close to those of us that identify as Survivors, mental health activists and the people turned angry by the often outrageous and coercive psychiatry system.
On top, with Myra and myself being board members of the present and active Kingsley Hall Community Centre (KHCC), and eager mental health activists, it did feel like our flags were flying high.
The first detail that made me smile as the movie started rolling, was the initial statement affirming that R.D. Laing created Kingsley Hall. To give justice to the Lesters Sisters, I invite people to read a bit in regards, especially those that might have not heard yet about these two awesome ladies, and discover Kingsley Hall's tremendous and fascinating heritage, that actually started over a century ago, even before Ronnie was born. So, not all the people involved in the active Kingsley Hall necessarily have a particular interest in its mental health heritage, as some people might wrongly assume. Kingsley Hall truly is a special place and everyone would benefit to know about its tremendously deep humanitarian rooted history.
Portrayed as a heavy smoker and heavy drinker (possibly just like many Scotts of adult age? Awesome Scotts!), Ronnie does certainly demonstrates to be an extraordinary Doctor, sharing his knowledge in natural healing practices, and creating a meditative and contemplative space with his peers and patients.
Many people might have blacklisted and censured the approaches welcomed by the Philadelphia Association in those days, especially for their open use of (illegal!) drugs such as LSD and cannabis, but let's not forget that these were the Sixties! A time of profound change and liberation, the "Make Love, Not War" infused times, which did set some positive influence to whatever followed.
I like to imagine Ronnie living now, in the New Millennium, when more and more people are opting for a more conscious living, sober partying and avoiding legal (alias prescribed) and illegal drugs alike; specially in a time when the anti e critical psychiatry movements are stronger and big pharma corruptive intentions are more exposed and broadly known by the general public. What a riot would it be! What a driving force for change when many more people are becoming professionals in the field due to their own needs, or the needs of close friends and family, driven by the necessity to find their hope and 'cure' to own distress... like the Only Us Campaign suggests.
Change keeps making its way, and we have to thank all people that have contribuited in the long history of anti psychiatry and subversion from the real people that fought the fights for our rights (psychiatric patients) as it can be found in Andrew Roberts's Survivors History dedicated archive.
So, thank you Mr Mullan, Cast & Crew for your great work in taking the delicate topic of madness to the large screen, for showing the stupidly of conventional psychiatry and for bringing back some buzzing vibes to a seemingly dormant castle. Thank you also for the choice of the fantastic cast, with David Tennant already my hero in the series 'Takin' Over the Asylum', playing his part terrificly.
Now I really wish someone will follow suit and show also the story of Mary Barnes, which is barely seen in Mad2B as Maria. Mary Barnes was the actual originator of the idea of having this radical community at Kingsley Hall, the first person to enter the building in 1965 and the last one to leave in 1970.
For the time being we're looking forward to watch the forthcoming BA Acting production MARY BARNES Play at the Platform Theatre, in London, part of the CSM, Drama Centre London. Catch it if you can.
Happening between the 26 June and the 1st of July 2017.
If you wish to find out more about Kingsley Hall Community Centre do check the website for info and opening times. We are joining Open House on Saturday 16th September if you wish visiting the building.
Also save Saturday 9 September for a special day celebrating madness and lunacy, while questioning normality for the Loonies Fest.
More film reviews here:
-https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/apr/07/mad-to-be-normal-review-david-tennant-rd-laing-elizabeth-moss
-https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/09/mad-to-be-normal-review-david-tennant
-http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/mad-be-normal-review-990476
-http://lwlies.com/reviews/mad-to-be-normal/
Simply renamed 'Mad To Be' on our cinema tickets, the R.D. Laing biopic resulted a very entertaining and inspiring viewing.
Probably one of the best cinema outings that I can remember of, as Dee organised a ride with Myra to reach the North London cinema, giving us time to chat and catch up en route. Later we met a party of North Londoners, included Ben, Laing's youngest son, and friends for a round up of analysis of the movie.
Now, I am certainly NOT a film critic, nor a tiny expert in films whatsoever, so do watch your expectations while reading this review, please. Must also add that being partially deaf, my capacity to follow dialogues in a film with no captions is very limited; hence, while watching a movie I often tend to create my own story, according to what my intuition lets me capture. Having a rough idea of the rough story certainly helped me in following Mad2B. And this was the Laing movie, something somehow very close to those of us that identify as Survivors, mental health activists and the people turned angry by the often outrageous and coercive psychiatry system.
On top, with Myra and myself being board members of the present and active Kingsley Hall Community Centre (KHCC), and eager mental health activists, it did feel like our flags were flying high.
The first detail that made me smile as the movie started rolling, was the initial statement affirming that R.D. Laing created Kingsley Hall. To give justice to the Lesters Sisters, I invite people to read a bit in regards, especially those that might have not heard yet about these two awesome ladies, and discover Kingsley Hall's tremendous and fascinating heritage, that actually started over a century ago, even before Ronnie was born. So, not all the people involved in the active Kingsley Hall necessarily have a particular interest in its mental health heritage, as some people might wrongly assume. Kingsley Hall truly is a special place and everyone would benefit to know about its tremendously deep humanitarian rooted history.
Portrayed as a heavy smoker and heavy drinker (possibly just like many Scotts of adult age? Awesome Scotts!), Ronnie does certainly demonstrates to be an extraordinary Doctor, sharing his knowledge in natural healing practices, and creating a meditative and contemplative space with his peers and patients.
Many people might have blacklisted and censured the approaches welcomed by the Philadelphia Association in those days, especially for their open use of (illegal!) drugs such as LSD and cannabis, but let's not forget that these were the Sixties! A time of profound change and liberation, the "Make Love, Not War" infused times, which did set some positive influence to whatever followed.
I like to imagine Ronnie living now, in the New Millennium, when more and more people are opting for a more conscious living, sober partying and avoiding legal (alias prescribed) and illegal drugs alike; specially in a time when the anti e critical psychiatry movements are stronger and big pharma corruptive intentions are more exposed and broadly known by the general public. What a riot would it be! What a driving force for change when many more people are becoming professionals in the field due to their own needs, or the needs of close friends and family, driven by the necessity to find their hope and 'cure' to own distress... like the Only Us Campaign suggests.
Change keeps making its way, and we have to thank all people that have contribuited in the long history of anti psychiatry and subversion from the real people that fought the fights for our rights (psychiatric patients) as it can be found in Andrew Roberts's Survivors History dedicated archive.
So, thank you Mr Mullan, Cast & Crew for your great work in taking the delicate topic of madness to the large screen, for showing the stupidly of conventional psychiatry and for bringing back some buzzing vibes to a seemingly dormant castle. Thank you also for the choice of the fantastic cast, with David Tennant already my hero in the series 'Takin' Over the Asylum', playing his part terrificly.
Now I really wish someone will follow suit and show also the story of Mary Barnes, which is barely seen in Mad2B as Maria. Mary Barnes was the actual originator of the idea of having this radical community at Kingsley Hall, the first person to enter the building in 1965 and the last one to leave in 1970.
For the time being we're looking forward to watch the forthcoming BA Acting production MARY BARNES Play at the Platform Theatre, in London, part of the CSM, Drama Centre London. Catch it if you can.
Happening between the 26 June and the 1st of July 2017.
If you wish to find out more about Kingsley Hall Community Centre do check the website for info and opening times. We are joining Open House on Saturday 16th September if you wish visiting the building.
Also save Saturday 9 September for a special day celebrating madness and lunacy, while questioning normality for the Loonies Fest.
More film reviews here:
-https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/apr/07/mad-to-be-normal-review-david-tennant-rd-laing-elizabeth-moss
-https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/09/mad-to-be-normal-review-david-tennant
-http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/mad-be-normal-review-990476
-http://lwlies.com/reviews/mad-to-be-normal/
Thursday, 25 May 2017
PIP CHALLENGE Support needed
Billie Legal Challenge (see below)
www.crowdjustice.com/case/wish/
MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION TARGETS
The DWP have as good as admitted that mandatory reconsiderations are a sham.
In response to a recent Freedom of Information query, the DWP revealed that they have a target of upholding the original decision in 80% of all mandatory reconsideration requests. Worse still, they managed to exceed that target in the year to March 2017 by turning down 87.5% of all applications.
The DWP have since claimed that PIP is not included in the 80% target.
However, it remains the case that over 80% of PIP mandatory reconsideration requests also fail to get the decision Changed – however coincidental the DWP might claim that figure is.
Having a target for the percentage of requests that should fail almost certainly renders the mandatory reconsideration process unlawful.
In legal terms, the DWP is fettering the discretion of decision makers, who should be free to decide every case on its merits, rather than worrying about being disciplined if they fail to hit their targets.
Just how rigged mandatory reconsideration decisions are is made absolutely clear by one other statistic.
63% of claimants who have their mandatory reconsideration request turned down and who then go on to appeal to an independent tribunal, win their case.
So, no matter what the decision is on your initial claim, and no matter how utterly you are turned down at the reconsideration stage, don’t lose heart.
You have a very good chance indeed of winning your appeal
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3632-24-may-2017-update?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Benefits%20and%20Work&utm_content=v2+May+24+2017+newsletter
PIP CHALLENGE
Billie, a claimant with severe mental health issues, has launched a legal challenge against the recent changes to PIP. The new regulations have made it much harder for people with mental health conditions to get an award of the mobility component.
In January of this year the DWP lost a case before a panel of upper tribunal judges.
Rather than accept defeat, the government rushed through new regulations which came into force in March.
The effect is to make it much harder for claimants with a mental health condition to get an award of the mobility component of PIP.
Billie (not her real name) has severe mental health problems which mean that she is extremely vulnerable when travelling. She needs a lot of support to do this reliably and safely.
Billie was refused an award of the mobility component of PIP under the new regulations.
She has launched her High Court challenge on the basis that the change in the law discriminates against claimants with mental health conditions and also on the grounds that the DWP should have carried out a proper consultation before deciding whether to bring in the changes.
Billie and the Public Law Project are collaborating with human rights barrister Aileen McColgan of Matrix Chambers, who is working on a no-win no-fee basis.
However, £3,000 is still needed to cover court fees and other expenses. We know the government is desperate to slash the benefits bill.
This time it was claimants with mental health conditions who were targeted. Next it could be an claimants with an entirely different condition.
Whatever your health condition, everyone has an interest in ensuring that the DWP learns that it can’t just change the PIP regulations whenever it chooses.
At least, not without facing a serious legal backlash.
If you can afford a small donation, Billie’s Crowdjustice page is here
www.crowdjustice.com/case/wish/
MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION TARGETS
The DWP have as good as admitted that mandatory reconsiderations are a sham.
In response to a recent Freedom of Information query, the DWP revealed that they have a target of upholding the original decision in 80% of all mandatory reconsideration requests. Worse still, they managed to exceed that target in the year to March 2017 by turning down 87.5% of all applications.
The DWP have since claimed that PIP is not included in the 80% target.
However, it remains the case that over 80% of PIP mandatory reconsideration requests also fail to get the decision Changed – however coincidental the DWP might claim that figure is.
Having a target for the percentage of requests that should fail almost certainly renders the mandatory reconsideration process unlawful.
In legal terms, the DWP is fettering the discretion of decision makers, who should be free to decide every case on its merits, rather than worrying about being disciplined if they fail to hit their targets.
Just how rigged mandatory reconsideration decisions are is made absolutely clear by one other statistic.
63% of claimants who have their mandatory reconsideration request turned down and who then go on to appeal to an independent tribunal, win their case.
So, no matter what the decision is on your initial claim, and no matter how utterly you are turned down at the reconsideration stage, don’t lose heart.
You have a very good chance indeed of winning your appeal
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3632-24-may-2017-update?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Benefits%20and%20Work&utm_content=v2+May+24+2017+newsletter
PIP CHALLENGE
Billie, a claimant with severe mental health issues, has launched a legal challenge against the recent changes to PIP. The new regulations have made it much harder for people with mental health conditions to get an award of the mobility component.
In January of this year the DWP lost a case before a panel of upper tribunal judges.
Rather than accept defeat, the government rushed through new regulations which came into force in March.
The effect is to make it much harder for claimants with a mental health condition to get an award of the mobility component of PIP.
Billie (not her real name) has severe mental health problems which mean that she is extremely vulnerable when travelling. She needs a lot of support to do this reliably and safely.
Billie was refused an award of the mobility component of PIP under the new regulations.
She has launched her High Court challenge on the basis that the change in the law discriminates against claimants with mental health conditions and also on the grounds that the DWP should have carried out a proper consultation before deciding whether to bring in the changes.
Billie and the Public Law Project are collaborating with human rights barrister Aileen McColgan of Matrix Chambers, who is working on a no-win no-fee basis.
However, £3,000 is still needed to cover court fees and other expenses. We know the government is desperate to slash the benefits bill.
This time it was claimants with mental health conditions who were targeted. Next it could be an claimants with an entirely different condition.
Whatever your health condition, everyone has an interest in ensuring that the DWP learns that it can’t just change the PIP regulations whenever it chooses.
At least, not without facing a serious legal backlash.
If you can afford a small donation, Billie’s Crowdjustice page is here
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
May Newsletter
Dear Friends,
May has been an intense month and it is not over yet. It was sad to wake up to the news of yet another 'terror attack' today, whatever the reason behind it, with the loss of more innocent lives in Manchester.
We were very pleased with the turn out and participation to the recent events at Kingsley Hall and wish to thank all involved. Thanking warmly Dr Moncrieff, Dr Ruth Cooper and Marion O'Brien for their time and contributions at the RADAR + PIP event on 12th May, we'd like to share some footage kindly collected by Sian Whitehead http://bit.ly/2qKbzju. Also find some stills from the event http://bit.ly/2rwBDjp
The community screening of The Divide also brought together a varied audience and interesting discussions.
Thanks again to everyone that has somehow contributed to these.
Recently Myra told us about a woman (Service User) which considered our name to be offensive (we are calling OURSELVES Loonies, not certainly offending anyone, are we?).
Now, in plan for sometimes, yet still in sketch, I would like to announce a special date: Saturday 9th of September we'll be hosting the Loonies Fest, which will take place at Kingsley Hall. More updates will circulate soon.
Among many things we'll remember the 10th anniversary since the total shutting of St Clements Hospital, which coincides with the origin of FEEL us Loonies joining our dissenting forces in a not-hierarchical (someone calls it disorganised, sic!) way and we are still here! Isn't it amazing?
Hopefully that 'offended' woman will get the chance to change her mind, perhaps get some education in regards of mad culture and embrace her lunacy in the process.
We probably have done already our part in these ten years and deserve a bit of respite for the short lives we are meant to live.
For those riding the wave please do check the events listed below.
NSUN annual survey closes 24th May 2017
Last chance to have your say. Participate in shaping NSUN.
Take the members' survey for the leading independent national mental health organisation.
Comments will remain anonymous. Data will be stored until completion of the annual evaluation work.
It will take approximately 10 minutes http://bit.ly/2qKnMVq
---------------------------------------------------
Horizon: Why Did I Go Mad?
This past 2nd May, BBC 2 showed Horizon: Why Did I Go Mad? at prime time. The recently released documentary is still available for viewing on i-player for a few days and is also BSL (British Sign Language) accessible. We hope that it will be released on general, unrestricted viewing soon and more examples of madness, successful and/or not to be displayed in the future. Huge congratulations to all involved in the execution of this work, and kudos for the mentioning of a possible drug-free existence bbc.in/2oHGauA
---------------------------------------------------
Introduction to User/Survivor Research in Mental Health Mind in Camden
Trainer: Jayasree Kalathil is a researcher, writer and activist in mental health with over 15 years of experience.
She runs the virtual collective, Survivor Research.
Thursday 1 June 10-4.30 pm @ Conway Hall, 25 red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1R 4RL
More information and booking (various prices) bit.ly/2rwc6a6
---------------------------------------------------
Making Sense of Madness: An emancipatory approach
A one day training led by Jacqui Dillon and Rai Waddingham
Theme of the training will be voices, visions, paranoia, unusual beliefs and altered states
Fri 7 July 09:45 – 16:30 @ Hackney House, 27 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3LT
More information and booking (various prices) bit.ly/2rLz4ak
---------------------------------------------------
DSM69 by Dolly Sen’s Manual of Psychiatric Disorder
Dolly Sen is a well known artist and activist working and exploring what it means to experience mental distress and the effects of being labelled with a psychiatric diagnosis. DSM69 is a small booklet, a notice of intent, containing a selection of Dolly’s art and several manifestos. Pre-orders of DSM69 can be purchased from this website: bit.ly/2qf8gxd
and from Amazon here: amzn.to/2qK774a
Also by Dolly Sen
Please sign and share Dolly's petition, addressed to the HCPC & Nursing Council
The Nursing & Midwifery council hold accountability and fairness as their values. They are both regulatory bodies, set up to protect the public. Please withdraw support for Work Capability Assessments bit.ly/2pU151j
--------------------------------------------------
Breaking Convention 2017
The 4th International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness
Breaking Convention is a biennial multidisciplinary conference on psychedelic consciousness, featuring more than 150 presenters from around the world, happening between June 30 - July 2, 2017
University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, London
For more information, visit bit.ly/2qKmDxf
---------------------------------------------------
ANTIUNIVERSITY NOW
Antiuniversity Now is a collaborative experiment to challenge institutionalised education, access to learning and the mechanism of knowledge creation and distribution.
Initiated in 2015, Antiuniversity Now was set up to reignite the 1968 Antiuniversity of London with the intention to challenge academic and class hierarchy and the exclusivity. A rich and varied programme can be found on www.antiuniversity.org
Some recommendations among a long list of interesting events on various themes:
-Politicising Anxiety: From Precarity to Care bit.ly/2qQNeJe
Anxiety is everywhere at the moment, but too often it is seen strictly as a condition of the individual. This event will be a talk and workshop on politicising anxiety; on framing it as a social phenomenon. Anxiety takes different forms and we see these multiple anxieties as weapons of the ruling class, as the result of a crisis of reproduction and a condition of capitalism itself. One response to this, we suggest, is collectivised care.
Sat 10 June 1-4 pm @ 7 The White Building, Queen's Yard, White Post Ln, London E9 5EN
-Speak Out Against Psychiatry 6th birthday Speak Out & picnic bit.ly/2qKh15O
Six years ago SOAP (Speak Out Against Psychiatry) held their first Speak Out in front of the Royal College of Psychiatry (then based in Belgrave Square) followed by a picnic in Hyde Park. The event will be repeated to celebrate the 6 years of fighting an inhumane psychiatric system. There will be plenty of posters to read and people to have a one-to-one with and the chance to try the 'diagnostic wheel' which is just as reliable as the DSM 5!
Sunday 11 June. Meet 2-5 pm for Speak Out @ Speakers Corner (nearest tube Marble Arch) then move to park for picnic after (weather permitting)
-Psycho-coercion & Psycho-resistance bit.ly/2rwao8k
An event to explore and build resistance to the increasing use of psychology to coerce and compel us through moral mantras like the 'work cure' and the use of psychometric tests, mood monitoring and mindfulness. Featuring talk and discussion from academics and activists working to question psycho-coercion. As well as a screening of Harry Giles' Everything I bought and how it made me feel.
Mon 12 June 6-8 pm @ Red Gallery, 1-3 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DT
-Using Art in Mental Health Activism bit.ly/2rcWOae
If you are brutalised or abused by the mental health system and want to challenge and resist that, what can you do without it being pathologised as part of your condition? Join Dolly Sen for two hours of reflection on the relationship between art and mental health activism.
Monday 12 June, 7-9 pm @ Dragon Cafe, The Crypt at St George The Martyr Church, Borough High St, London SE1 1JA
May has been an intense month and it is not over yet. It was sad to wake up to the news of yet another 'terror attack' today, whatever the reason behind it, with the loss of more innocent lives in Manchester.
We were very pleased with the turn out and participation to the recent events at Kingsley Hall and wish to thank all involved. Thanking warmly Dr Moncrieff, Dr Ruth Cooper and Marion O'Brien for their time and contributions at the RADAR + PIP event on 12th May, we'd like to share some footage kindly collected by Sian Whitehead http://bit.ly/2qKbzju. Also find some stills from the event http://bit.ly/2rwBDjp
The community screening of The Divide also brought together a varied audience and interesting discussions.
Thanks again to everyone that has somehow contributed to these.
Recently Myra told us about a woman (Service User) which considered our name to be offensive (we are calling OURSELVES Loonies, not certainly offending anyone, are we?).
Now, in plan for sometimes, yet still in sketch, I would like to announce a special date: Saturday 9th of September we'll be hosting the Loonies Fest, which will take place at Kingsley Hall. More updates will circulate soon.
Among many things we'll remember the 10th anniversary since the total shutting of St Clements Hospital, which coincides with the origin of FEEL us Loonies joining our dissenting forces in a not-hierarchical (someone calls it disorganised, sic!) way and we are still here! Isn't it amazing?
Hopefully that 'offended' woman will get the chance to change her mind, perhaps get some education in regards of mad culture and embrace her lunacy in the process.
We probably have done already our part in these ten years and deserve a bit of respite for the short lives we are meant to live.
For those riding the wave please do check the events listed below.
NSUN annual survey closes 24th May 2017
Last chance to have your say. Participate in shaping NSUN.
Take the members' survey for the leading independent national mental health organisation.
Comments will remain anonymous. Data will be stored until completion of the annual evaluation work.
It will take approximately 10 minutes http://bit.ly/2qKnMVq
---------------------------------------------------
Horizon: Why Did I Go Mad?
This past 2nd May, BBC 2 showed Horizon: Why Did I Go Mad? at prime time. The recently released documentary is still available for viewing on i-player for a few days and is also BSL (British Sign Language) accessible. We hope that it will be released on general, unrestricted viewing soon and more examples of madness, successful and/or not to be displayed in the future. Huge congratulations to all involved in the execution of this work, and kudos for the mentioning of a possible drug-free existence bbc.in/2oHGauA
---------------------------------------------------
Introduction to User/Survivor Research in Mental Health Mind in Camden
Trainer: Jayasree Kalathil is a researcher, writer and activist in mental health with over 15 years of experience.
She runs the virtual collective, Survivor Research.
Thursday 1 June 10-4.30 pm @ Conway Hall, 25 red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1R 4RL
More information and booking (various prices) bit.ly/2rwc6a6
---------------------------------------------------
Making Sense of Madness: An emancipatory approach
A one day training led by Jacqui Dillon and Rai Waddingham
Theme of the training will be voices, visions, paranoia, unusual beliefs and altered states
Fri 7 July 09:45 – 16:30 @ Hackney House, 27 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3LT
More information and booking (various prices) bit.ly/2rLz4ak
---------------------------------------------------
DSM69 by Dolly Sen’s Manual of Psychiatric Disorder
Dolly Sen is a well known artist and activist working and exploring what it means to experience mental distress and the effects of being labelled with a psychiatric diagnosis. DSM69 is a small booklet, a notice of intent, containing a selection of Dolly’s art and several manifestos. Pre-orders of DSM69 can be purchased from this website: bit.ly/2qf8gxd
and from Amazon here: amzn.to/2qK774a
Also by Dolly Sen
Please sign and share Dolly's petition, addressed to the HCPC & Nursing Council
The Nursing & Midwifery council hold accountability and fairness as their values. They are both regulatory bodies, set up to protect the public. Please withdraw support for Work Capability Assessments bit.ly/2pU151j
--------------------------------------------------
Breaking Convention 2017
The 4th International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness
Breaking Convention is a biennial multidisciplinary conference on psychedelic consciousness, featuring more than 150 presenters from around the world, happening between June 30 - July 2, 2017
University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, London
For more information, visit bit.ly/2qKmDxf
---------------------------------------------------
ANTIUNIVERSITY NOW
Antiuniversity Now is a collaborative experiment to challenge institutionalised education, access to learning and the mechanism of knowledge creation and distribution.
Initiated in 2015, Antiuniversity Now was set up to reignite the 1968 Antiuniversity of London with the intention to challenge academic and class hierarchy and the exclusivity. A rich and varied programme can be found on www.antiuniversity.org
Some recommendations among a long list of interesting events on various themes:
-Politicising Anxiety: From Precarity to Care bit.ly/2qQNeJe
Anxiety is everywhere at the moment, but too often it is seen strictly as a condition of the individual. This event will be a talk and workshop on politicising anxiety; on framing it as a social phenomenon. Anxiety takes different forms and we see these multiple anxieties as weapons of the ruling class, as the result of a crisis of reproduction and a condition of capitalism itself. One response to this, we suggest, is collectivised care.
Sat 10 June 1-4 pm @ 7 The White Building, Queen's Yard, White Post Ln, London E9 5EN
-Speak Out Against Psychiatry 6th birthday Speak Out & picnic bit.ly/2qKh15O
Six years ago SOAP (Speak Out Against Psychiatry) held their first Speak Out in front of the Royal College of Psychiatry (then based in Belgrave Square) followed by a picnic in Hyde Park. The event will be repeated to celebrate the 6 years of fighting an inhumane psychiatric system. There will be plenty of posters to read and people to have a one-to-one with and the chance to try the 'diagnostic wheel' which is just as reliable as the DSM 5!
Sunday 11 June. Meet 2-5 pm for Speak Out @ Speakers Corner (nearest tube Marble Arch) then move to park for picnic after (weather permitting)
-Psycho-coercion & Psycho-resistance bit.ly/2rwao8k
An event to explore and build resistance to the increasing use of psychology to coerce and compel us through moral mantras like the 'work cure' and the use of psychometric tests, mood monitoring and mindfulness. Featuring talk and discussion from academics and activists working to question psycho-coercion. As well as a screening of Harry Giles' Everything I bought and how it made me feel.
Mon 12 June 6-8 pm @ Red Gallery, 1-3 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DT
-Using Art in Mental Health Activism bit.ly/2rcWOae
If you are brutalised or abused by the mental health system and want to challenge and resist that, what can you do without it being pathologised as part of your condition? Join Dolly Sen for two hours of reflection on the relationship between art and mental health activism.
Monday 12 June, 7-9 pm @ Dragon Cafe, The Crypt at St George The Martyr Church, Borough High St, London SE1 1JA
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Meetings and Events
Dear All,
We highly advise to book your free seats for the networking event 'The irresistible rise of mental health crisis?'
happening this Sat 29 April 10-3:30, Oxford House. There will be discussions and the screening of 'I, Daniel Blake' http://bit.ly/2obSy4O
On Sunday 7 May, late afternoon and evening there will be the launch of 'A Hackney Autobiography - Centerprise' history projects, Sutton House, 2-4 Homerton High Street, London E9 6JQ. There will be an historic walk that will include memories of the Mental Patients Union, and we will discuss the connection between Centerprise and MPU (Mental Patients Union), the work of the MPU and the ongoing legacy. Email Andrew Roberts for more info on studymore
Next 'News From Nowhere Club' event is on Saturday 13 May with Chris Harrison http://bit.ly/2p6TL1k
Please book your seats for the subtitled screening of The Divide + discussion on Tue 16 May 7-10 PM http://bit.ly/2nJJA3J
Next FEEL meeting is on Monday 15 May 6.30pm at LARC, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1 1ES
Please find here a few extra lines, written to express some personal annoyance on some current FEEL circumstances: Mental Health week... stones in my shoes
So many events are taking place around us, and now the General Election on 8th June. Please do register to vote, if you are entitled to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
We highly advise to book your free seats for the networking event 'The irresistible rise of mental health crisis?'
happening this Sat 29 April 10-3:30, Oxford House. There will be discussions and the screening of 'I, Daniel Blake' http://bit.ly/2obSy4O
On Sunday 7 May, late afternoon and evening there will be the launch of 'A Hackney Autobiography - Centerprise' history projects, Sutton House, 2-4 Homerton High Street, London E9 6JQ. There will be an historic walk that will include memories of the Mental Patients Union, and we will discuss the connection between Centerprise and MPU (Mental Patients Union), the work of the MPU and the ongoing legacy. Email Andrew Roberts for more info on studymore
FEEL event on RADAR + PIP Updates is on Friday 12 May at Kingsley Hall 7-9PM http://bit.ly/2ocsVkm
Next 'News From Nowhere Club' event is on Saturday 13 May with Chris Harrison http://bit.ly/2p6TL1k
Please book your seats for the subtitled screening of The Divide + discussion on Tue 16 May 7-10 PM http://bit.ly/2nJJA3J
Next FEEL meeting is on Monday 15 May 6.30pm at LARC, 62 Fieldgate Street, E1 1ES
Please find here a few extra lines, written to express some personal annoyance on some current FEEL circumstances: Mental Health week... stones in my shoes
News from Nowhere Club 13 May Special Event
CAROLS FROM THE COALFIELDS:
Speaker / Performer: Chris Harrison
@ The Epicentre 41 West St, Leyton, London E11 4LJ
Saturday 13 May, 7:30 PM
A musical evening, featuring poems by Joseph Skipsey, a self-educated coal miner, set to music by his great-great-grandson, Chris Harrison. Joseph Skipsey, ‘The Pitman Poet’, was born in Northumberland in 1832. He began colliery work aged seven. Having taught himself to read & write, he published his first book of poems in 1859. Chris has set 24 of Skipsey’s poems to music, calling the project “Carols from the Coalfields”, after the collection which Skipsey published in 1886. The songs offer a rich & varied picture of life in the mining communities, while describing issues & experiences still relevant today. His CDs, volumes 1, 2 & 3, will be on sale (£5 each.)
Ros Kane: roskane@btinternet.com
Please note: I do not look at emails all the time, so if urgent, please phone me on 0208 555 5248.
Also, occasionally emails do not reach me, so better please phone if I have not responded within a few days.
Speaker / Performer: Chris Harrison
@ The Epicentre 41 West St, Leyton, London E11 4LJ
Saturday 13 May, 7:30 PM
A musical evening, featuring poems by Joseph Skipsey, a self-educated coal miner, set to music by his great-great-grandson, Chris Harrison. Joseph Skipsey, ‘The Pitman Poet’, was born in Northumberland in 1832. He began colliery work aged seven. Having taught himself to read & write, he published his first book of poems in 1859. Chris has set 24 of Skipsey’s poems to music, calling the project “Carols from the Coalfields”, after the collection which Skipsey published in 1886. The songs offer a rich & varied picture of life in the mining communities, while describing issues & experiences still relevant today. His CDs, volumes 1, 2 & 3, will be on sale (£5 each.)
Ros Kane: roskane@btinternet.com
Please note: I do not look at emails all the time, so if urgent, please phone me on 0208 555 5248.
Also, occasionally emails do not reach me, so better please phone if I have not responded within a few days.
Mental Health week... stones in my shoes
It is with great fervor that FEEL is welcoming back to Kingsley Hall critical psychiatrist Dr Joanna Moncrieff on 12th May.
David Kessel, (which coined FEEL), currently on the mend after a major accident, says he is looking forward to attend Dr Moncrieff's talk.
Professionals like Dr Moncrieff seem to be prepared to walk on burning coals in order to express their individual opinion.
It is indeed fundamental to question some treatments, especially the damages caused by medication on a short and long term to people, and have a variety of alternatives for people to choose from on how they wish to be helped.
Avant-garde Norway has recently launched a medication-free treatment ward, while the Open Dialogue approach, started in Western Lapland, Finland years ago, is fast spreading around the world; there are even active peer supported networks now.
"Psychiatry is cracking open and the users voices are heard", Robert Whitaker wrote.
All work in progress, including the dismantling of big pharma monopoly in this hyper-profiting sector. Not saying that all drugs are bad here, some are useful (some keep me in life in fact!). But why are only a few limited brands easily and broadly available, to cure illness or to maintain them?
RADAR, one of the main topics that will be presented at FEEL event on 12 May, is a great initiative. The Research into Antipsychotic Discontinuation And Reduction officially started last year, currently is recruiting participants in East London http://bit.ly/2pdYlJ0
But how safe will this be? What safety nets are being created? Must admit that I have many doubts in regards.
Coming off psychiatric drugs can be a serious matter, talking by personal experience. The withdrawal effects really often are the cause of relapses. Many people compare psychiatric drugs discontinuation to the struggles of coming off from heroin or some pain killers, especially deadly synthetic opioids; not easy at all.
We are indeed thankful that there is an ever growing number of researches experimenting a variety of approaches, hopefully also on own skin, in order to find what can really help ease the difficulties of people experiencing mental distress, or find the real causes of it. Substances are not necessarily required, aren't they? Severe and acute crisis are another matter.
Wishing the very best for the success of RADAR, in any case.
Unfortunately it is with sadness that due to prior commitments I'll have to miss this event. My peers were not a tiny interested that 12 May did not suit me. Eventually I was told that nobody heard my opposition. Of course, the testosterone filled room was loudly discussing the influencing wonders of this forthcoming event... and I thought that I was the only deaf one!
What makes me laugh the most about the reason why the 12 May was chosen, is that it was picked because it falls on mental health week. Now, would a Survivor really care if it is mental health week? What difference would that make in Survivors everyday life?
To be expected on mental health week: some/many "normal" people to get engulfed by the media articles and events (free or non) on themes that will let them discover that they too have a mental health to take care about...perhaps self-assigning a few labels, then go crazy completely and calling for help. Welcome to the club, I usually say ...
The saddest thing is that occasionally FEEL meetings are visited by people wishing to talk about "mental health", yet they have no clue of what being a Survivor means or having experienced the abuses of Psychiatry services. This seems to be happening more frequently lately, perhaps as mental health is becoming a fashionable topic, perhaps?
In almost ten years since FEEL has been around, there have been many genuine people joining us, eager to share their stories, respecting and paying attention to what the values and ethos of the group are. So what has been happening lately? From (refused) suggested re-branding, to the group branching out into various other forms, someone must be thinking that gentrification is really the only way forward for the Friends of East End Loonies.
Apparently for these people only if we conform to some regular patriarchal norms (so importantly changing our name, typical!), success will be guaranteed, perhaps FEEL could even reach 1000s of followers on social media, fame, success! Kind of makes me think about the Christians discovering the Americas...
A bit of decency Monsieurs de Farceurs!
FEEL has also frequently been criticised, among other things, for having an "open door" policy and welcoming everyone at our meetings and events. I still believe this is important to happen, as long as people can talk honestly, respecting the group core values, the members and each other.
Be prepared to find some stubborn people, not necessarily agreeing with each other, but respecting each others, at the core; late comers seem to be deaf and blind to this dynamics sometimes.
If new influencing strategy is used, even with good intentions in mind, if not discussed openly and plainly, feels like a back stab. What are your aims folks? Why can't you talk openly? Something to hide?
On another hand I must stress that if people are looking for personal support in time of crisis, FEEL is not exactly the space for this, as the group was never intended to offer help as such.
Do please visit the many organisations trained to work in this field if you need support, please.
Apparently some good attempts are also being done at peer level (not Survivors) every Tuesday, at the Lifehouse: phone Nick on 07926 886372 or email Kevin on kevineva58@btinternet.com for more info.
Please book your seats for the more neutral networking event The irresistible rise of mental health crisis, happening this Saturday 29 April 10-3:30, with screening of I Daniel Blake bit.ly/2obSy4O and the subtitled screening of The Divide on Tue 16 May 7-10 PM bit.ly/2nJJA3J
Wishing the best of luck to all involved in the planning/participation to the forthcoming events!
David Kessel, (which coined FEEL), currently on the mend after a major accident, says he is looking forward to attend Dr Moncrieff's talk.
Professionals like Dr Moncrieff seem to be prepared to walk on burning coals in order to express their individual opinion.
It is indeed fundamental to question some treatments, especially the damages caused by medication on a short and long term to people, and have a variety of alternatives for people to choose from on how they wish to be helped.
Avant-garde Norway has recently launched a medication-free treatment ward, while the Open Dialogue approach, started in Western Lapland, Finland years ago, is fast spreading around the world; there are even active peer supported networks now.
"Psychiatry is cracking open and the users voices are heard", Robert Whitaker wrote.
All work in progress, including the dismantling of big pharma monopoly in this hyper-profiting sector. Not saying that all drugs are bad here, some are useful (some keep me in life in fact!). But why are only a few limited brands easily and broadly available, to cure illness or to maintain them?
RADAR, one of the main topics that will be presented at FEEL event on 12 May, is a great initiative. The Research into Antipsychotic Discontinuation And Reduction officially started last year, currently is recruiting participants in East London http://bit.ly/2pdYlJ0
But how safe will this be? What safety nets are being created? Must admit that I have many doubts in regards.
Coming off psychiatric drugs can be a serious matter, talking by personal experience. The withdrawal effects really often are the cause of relapses. Many people compare psychiatric drugs discontinuation to the struggles of coming off from heroin or some pain killers, especially deadly synthetic opioids; not easy at all.
We are indeed thankful that there is an ever growing number of researches experimenting a variety of approaches, hopefully also on own skin, in order to find what can really help ease the difficulties of people experiencing mental distress, or find the real causes of it. Substances are not necessarily required, aren't they? Severe and acute crisis are another matter.
Wishing the very best for the success of RADAR, in any case.
Unfortunately it is with sadness that due to prior commitments I'll have to miss this event. My peers were not a tiny interested that 12 May did not suit me. Eventually I was told that nobody heard my opposition. Of course, the testosterone filled room was loudly discussing the influencing wonders of this forthcoming event... and I thought that I was the only deaf one!
What makes me laugh the most about the reason why the 12 May was chosen, is that it was picked because it falls on mental health week. Now, would a Survivor really care if it is mental health week? What difference would that make in Survivors everyday life?
To be expected on mental health week: some/many "normal" people to get engulfed by the media articles and events (free or non) on themes that will let them discover that they too have a mental health to take care about...perhaps self-assigning a few labels, then go crazy completely and calling for help. Welcome to the club, I usually say ...
The saddest thing is that occasionally FEEL meetings are visited by people wishing to talk about "mental health", yet they have no clue of what being a Survivor means or having experienced the abuses of Psychiatry services. This seems to be happening more frequently lately, perhaps as mental health is becoming a fashionable topic, perhaps?
In almost ten years since FEEL has been around, there have been many genuine people joining us, eager to share their stories, respecting and paying attention to what the values and ethos of the group are. So what has been happening lately? From (refused) suggested re-branding, to the group branching out into various other forms, someone must be thinking that gentrification is really the only way forward for the Friends of East End Loonies.
Apparently for these people only if we conform to some regular patriarchal norms (so importantly changing our name, typical!), success will be guaranteed, perhaps FEEL could even reach 1000s of followers on social media, fame, success! Kind of makes me think about the Christians discovering the Americas...
A bit of decency Monsieurs de Farceurs!
FEEL has also frequently been criticised, among other things, for having an "open door" policy and welcoming everyone at our meetings and events. I still believe this is important to happen, as long as people can talk honestly, respecting the group core values, the members and each other.
Be prepared to find some stubborn people, not necessarily agreeing with each other, but respecting each others, at the core; late comers seem to be deaf and blind to this dynamics sometimes.
If new influencing strategy is used, even with good intentions in mind, if not discussed openly and plainly, feels like a back stab. What are your aims folks? Why can't you talk openly? Something to hide?
On another hand I must stress that if people are looking for personal support in time of crisis, FEEL is not exactly the space for this, as the group was never intended to offer help as such.
Do please visit the many organisations trained to work in this field if you need support, please.
Apparently some good attempts are also being done at peer level (not Survivors) every Tuesday, at the Lifehouse: phone Nick on 07926 886372 or email Kevin on kevineva58@btinternet.com for more info.
Please book your seats for the more neutral networking event The irresistible rise of mental health crisis, happening this Saturday 29 April 10-3:30, with screening of I Daniel Blake bit.ly/2obSy4O and the subtitled screening of The Divide on Tue 16 May 7-10 PM bit.ly/2nJJA3J
Wishing the best of luck to all involved in the planning/participation to the forthcoming events!
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