AUGUST Newsletter

Dear Friends,

The past couple of months have been filled by extremely hard work this side, all for a good cause and result.
It brought huge gratification organising what I believe was our best to date Outsiders Poetry event for the Shuffle Festival, last Sunday the 3rd.

Give it to the weather, which lately has been pretty much amazing, although unfortunately it was the reason to keep some away.
Give it to the location, the brand new and sophisticated Southern Grove Community Centre and the nearby oxygen-filled greenery available in the majestic decked-out Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.
Give it to the fact that for the first time we were able to welcome the diversity of the hearing and deaf audience, and made comfortable under the same roof, thanks to the presence of Gary Morgan and Nicola Williams (British Sign Language interpreters) and Norma White and Louise Pepper (alias the palantypist ladies = amazing highly skilled individuals able to type at the fast pace of 250 words p/m); inclusiveness could not be ignored or go unnoticed.

Then the other day I was asked if all the struggles of the past couple of months were worth the efforts.
F.E.E.L. has now been having events for over six years and for every and single one I dreamt to be able to offer full communication support. A dream coming true...was it worth the effort?

What I am most thankful for is the trust and help received from Team Shuffle in giving us freedom to organise Deaf Vision, which stretched further the usual poetry event. And of course Arts Council England for offering the means for the day to unfold.

We had a wonderful gong bath with Otto Haddad, taster therapies from Jessica, Louise, Monica and Eve (from Pathway Trust) and Claire Hancock.
A wonderful performance from Sign Song Diva Caroline Parker MBE (here her grand finale) and an interesting discussion led by deaf film-maker Ted Evans to follow the 1956 film 'Together'.

We wish to thank the very special artists of the Outsiders Poetry starting from the amazing Jazzman John Clarke, the compère for the day, Graham Jones, Clive Murphy, Stephen Micalef, Stephen Watts, Cristina Viti, David Kessel, Stefano Barone (sound engineer for the day, plus accompanied Jazzman on electric guitar, until the ultra sensitive sound system shut down); the gender-themed dance piece by Shakti Zapata, Frank Bangay accompanied on guitar by Natasha, David Amery, Anne Pigalle, John Stiles. Mike Parsons & Roberto Simonato closed the event reminding us that Eastbeat is back and running from Tuesday the 2nd of September at the Kingsley Hall. Apologies flooded from Eamer O'kleeffe, Peter Campbell, Max Love, Unique Technique.

Sharing here an outstanding performance by Frank Bangay, particularly enjoyable with BSL interpretation. Well done Frank! 'Comfort Eating Blues'

A huge thank you goes for the support offered by East End Homes, which allowed us accessing their modern Southern Grove Community Centre in Mile End London E3. For further info about accessing the space do get in contact with Paul Wilson paul.wilson@eastendhomes.net and see their website www.eastendhomes.net
Paul and Victoria active support throughout  the whole day was pretty amazing and deeply appreciated.

Last but not least must thank for the amazing team of volunteers that stayed with us both on Saturday and Sunday: Neil, Audrey, PJ, Joe, Claudio, Stefano and of course the ever-present Myra and Nick helping around tea break. Thank you to all!

Your feedback on the day is pretty much welcome and must mention John Stiles' comment "It was very well-organized, cool to see the words on the screen and I won't forget the movie about Sign Language and finding out about "different sign languages" and hearing, seeing, and reading Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush ever again in the same way. I just grew up into a full adult in about fifteen minutes."

FEEL monthly meeting is now on in ten days time, on Monday the 18th; it looks like we have a few fresh things to talk about and also an invite to hold a stall for Kingsley Hall Open House, next month. All welcome although no communication support available unfortunately.
Meet as usual at LARC, 62 Fieldgate St, Whitechapel 6.30-8-30pm

Make the most of the Summer!

Happening this week!!!

Dear Friends,

Please find one last reminder and details for our forthcoming Outsiders Poetry, happening in the Southern Grove Community Centre, Southern Grove E3 4PX, Sunday the 3rd of August, 2-5pm.

This is only 5 minute walking from Mile End tube station; pay attention to the clear Shuffle Festival signposts that have been distributed around the area to find the site with ease.

Our event was initially planned to happen in a tent, within the cemetery park grounds. However considering the mobility issues some of our members face and the distress some people experience in finding new locations, we considered ideal having the event in a more accessible location instead, with accessible toilets and so on.

Southern Grove Community Centre will be open all day 12pm-10pm, with a programme of activities and film projections aimed to engage the deaf community, but obviously open to everyone. On the day we will be providing ear plugs to the hearing audience, in order to let you experience the event in a more visual way, and give a rest to your ears. We look forward to the feedback.

PROGRAMME PREVIEW -
Sunday 3rd of August 12pm -10pm

12pm: We start the day with a Gong Bath to awaken and balance all senses. Make sure you find a comfortable position, seated or lying down ready to start by 12pm sharp. Sit back and relax and get ready to be immersed by the healing frequencies and vibrations that aim to set mind and body free. Very curious to hear Deaf peoples feed back to this. Courtesy of Otto Sound Therapy www.ottosoundtherapy.com/

The lucky ones that arrive nice and early to the festival will get the chance to book a free taster session of either Indian head massage or Acupuncture, with one of our five therapists, between 12-2pm ONLY. First comes first served.

1pm: Following Deafinitely Theatre successful sell out " Midsummer Night's Dream" in British Sign Language at the Shakespeare Globe last June, come along to watch "Shakespeare: Found in Translation". The documentary that tells all about the making of the play, during the research and rehearsals time.

1.30 pm: Join us for an intimate performance by Sign Song Diva Caroline Parker, MBE www.simplesite.com/carosparks/

2pm - 5pm: Outsiders Poetry. Following the successful participation at the Summer Shuffle 2013, local well know artists and mental health survivors will be sharing some of their work. Music, poetry and performance will be assisted by BSL interpreting and captioning. Some front seats will be reserved to visually impaired and less mobile people, let us know if you require one, pls. Come along to see Jazzman John Clarke leading the afternnon that will see among others performances by David Kessel, Frank Bangay, Eamer O'Keeffe, Stephen Watts, Cristina Viti, Graham Jones, David Amery, John Zammit, John Stiles, Max Love.

5 pm: "Film "Together" (1956) A black and white film telling the story of two deaf friends, filmed around our very Mile End area, post WW2. Is that BSL that they are using to communicate?

6 pm: Tête-à-tête with Deaf Director Ted Evans, multi awards winner maker of the drama "The End".

7 pm- 10 pm: "Best of Deaf" projecting a selection of award winning British Deaf short films and popular comedies.

The Shuffle Festival opened yesterday with a large feast offered to the community: it will be offering films, events and activities to suit the whole family, giving the chance to experience the beauty of this (forgotten-to-some) oasis of peace. We take the chance to wish the very best to volunteers and organisers for their hard work in making this happen.

Please note that mental health films will be projected as part of the festival on Saturday 2 August from 4.30pm in the Southern Grove Centre. The event is free of charge and can be booked online to secure a seat or just turn up for Shuffle your Mind www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/16499/chk/8012

Check the full programme on www.shufflefestival.com/programme/

Get out and about during this beautiful Summer!

Latest News

Dear Friends,

It's with great trepidation that we can announce that Arts Council England has now granted some funds for our Outsiders Poetry on Sunday the 3rd of August, 2-5pm. This allows us to make the event fully accessible to the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audience, thanks to the provision of BSL interpreters and live captioning. Apparently captioning are also very beneficial to people affected by autism ( thanks Adrian W. for the info).

Please do join us at next week meeting, on Monday the 21st at LARC, 62 Fieldgate St, Whitechapel as the programme for the day-long event can be finalised. Also do get in touch if willing to offer some help during the day of mixed activities. See leaflets attached for our FREE Poetry and Deaf films and entertainment taking place now in the Southern Grove Community Hall ( new flyers attached - full programmes available soon). More informations about the 5 days long Shuffle festival can be found online www.shufflefestival.com/programme/

West London disability and mental health activists Joe Kelly has sent an invitation for the next London Unite Community Activists meeting: happening tomorrow, Thursday 17th July at 7pm at 33-37 Moreland Street, Education room 1, London EC1V 8BB

For info: Pilgrim.Tucker@unitetheunion.org Ph. 07970 126249. See letter attached.

The Survivors History Group meeting is also due on Wednesday 30th of July 1-5pm at Together, 12 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BE

Stay engaged and motivated.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR SURGERIES

Show your support by joining the march on SATURDAY 5TH JULY  at 2pm from Altab Ali Park, Aldgate East to London Fields Lido for a rally at 3.45

This demonstration is in support of surgeries in Tower Hamlets as well as Newham and Hackney that are facing budget cuts and as a result they may be forced to close soon.

You can also show your support by signing the online petition, please click on the following link: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-inner-city-gp-surgeries

 THE PROBLEM:

Due to Government changes in the way that General Practice is funded some inner city and rural practices in England will suffer big budget cuts from April 2014. Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) was brought in 2004 to ensure that practices in deprived areas with a high turnover of patients were adequately funded to deliver high quality General Practice services.

All of the evidence shows that one of the biggest factors affecting health outcomes is deprivation. However, the Government are phasing MPIG out over the next seven years. Less weight will be given to deprivation and more to age. This means that Tower Hamlets, which is one of the most deprived areas of the country, loses out to more affluent areas with a greater proportion of elderly patients, even though the high levels of deprivation in Tower Hamlets means that more people here have serious long term illnesses at a much younger age.

Cuts in funding to General Practice will mean cuts in the services that your surgery is able to offer you and your family.

For example, Jubilee Street Practice is a large, award winning practice on Commercial Road. They have some of the best outcomes in the country for many chronic diseases and patient satisfaction levels of over 90%. Due to the phasing out of MPIG they have calculated that they will lose nearly £1 million over the next seven years. This means that services will get cut and the surgery is at risk of closure.

THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN! A THREAT TO ONE IS A THREAT TO ALL!

There are 98 GP practices in England that are as badly affected by MPIG as Jubilee Street, many of these are in London and five are in Tower Hamlets. Other practices in the borough are also feeling the strain. If five practices are forced to cutback or close there will inevitably be more pressure on the rest, risking collapse of the whole system and opening up the possibility that our GP services will be taken over by private providers such as Virgin or Care UK.

This comes amidst a climate of huge cuts to the whole of NHS funding and creeping privatization of NHS services. Privatization leads to poorly paid staff and services cut to the bone in order to make a profit for shareholders.

The NHS is the best loved institution in Britain, even more so than the monarchy. Despite what we are told, the NHS is one of the most cost effective health care services in the developed world and there is plenty of money in society to pay for it. It is the envy of other nations. Since 1948 it has been there for all of us when we have needed it, regardless of ability to pay, from the cradle to the grave

July Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Please find details of forthcoming dates and events for your diary.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR SURGERIES

Show your support by joining the march on SATURDAY 5TH JULY at 2pm from Altab Ali Park, Aldgate East to London Fields Lido for a rally at 3.45. This demonstration is in support of surgeries in Tower Hamlets as well as Newham and Hackney that are facing budget cuts and as a result they may be forced to close soon.

You can also show your support by signing the online petition, please click on the following link: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-inner-city-gp-surgeries


Friends of St Clements General meeting is adjourned to next Monday the 7th of July, 4.30pm. Please come along to the c/o Outpatients Department, Burdett House, Mental Health Unit, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, E1 4DG.

SolidariTea was officially launched in Southwark by the Mental Health Resistance Network this week. The drop in centre will now be offering practical support to people seeking help in regards to the WCA and benefits issues, or simply a cuppa and a chat, every Monday between 2pm and 4.15pm at 97 Dawes House, Orb St, Walworth, London, SE17 1RD. Info:solidariteasouthwark@gmail.com
Ph. 07966180429

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets Mental Health Task Group is being relaunched since Community Options has been chosen to manage the project. Ange Jones has been allocated as Project Coordinator for the running and facilitation of the group.

The group will be re-launched on Wednesday, 16th July 2014 11.30-2pm at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG Ange.Jones@community-options.org.uk

Healthline has launched a video campaign for bipolar disorder called "You've Got This" where bipolar patients can record a short video to give hope and inspiration to those recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Visit the homepage and check out videos from the campaign www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/youve-got-this

The Outsiders Open Mic will take place on the closing day of the Shuffle Festival on Sunday the 3rd of August, 4-7pm, in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Southern Grove, MIle End E3 4PX. Get your swimming gear ready to experience a deep in the pool being dug for the festival www.shufflefestival.com/location/

Come along to our monthly F.E.E.L. meeting to help finalising the plans for our contribuition to the festival and discuss further issues on Monday the 21st of July at LARC 62, Fieldgate Street E1, 6.30-8.30pm.

Enjoy the weather and please remember to keep hydrated!

The Dark Side Protest

Tuesday, June 24
at 9:00am - 1:00pm
Royal College of Psychiatry, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB

Darth Vader invites you to join him in protesting outside the new headquarters of the Royal College of Psychiatrists during their 'College Tours' and AGM ahead of their International Conference. Nearest tubes Tower Hill, Aldgate, Aldgate East. Nearest DLR is Tower Gateway.

We have decided to protest outside their new headquarters during the AGM rather than the conference at the Barbican as it is not conducive to protests www.rcpsych.ac.uk/.../internationalcongress2014.aspx

Dr. Peter Gotzsche has created a controversy and sparked criticism over what he sees as a damaging over-prescription of drugs by psychiatrists.

Gotzsche recently compiled a list of ten common myths held not only by the general public, but also trained psychiatrists concerning the safety of psychotropic drugs, and the rationale for their use.

As an internist, Gotzsche remarked that since he was outside of the political orthodoxy of the world of psychiatric medicine, he was free to express what he believed to be the sentiments of many psychiatrists who must remain quiet in their objections for fear of hurting their careers.

1. Mental diseases are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain
"We have no idea about which interplay of psychosocial conditions, biochemical processes, receptors and neural pathways that lead to mental disorders and the theories that patients with depression lack serotonin and that patients with schizophrenia have too much dopamine have long been refuted."

2. It's easy to go off antidepressants any time you want to
Here, Gotzsche points to drug trails involving agoraphobics and people suffering from panic disorder, whom were not depressed. Fifty percent of the patients found it difficult to come off antidepressants even though they were gradually reducing their doses. It could not be that the patients saw their depression returning, as they were not depressed to begin with.

3. Psychotropic drugs are to mental illness as insulin is to diabetes
"When you give insulin to a patient with diabetes, you give something the patient lacks, namely insulin. Since we've never been able to demonstrate that a patient with a mental disorder lacks something that people who are not sick don't lack, it is wrong to use this analogy."

4. Psychotropic drugs reduce the number of chronically ill patients
"In 1987, just before the newer antidepressants (SSRIs or happy pills) came on the market, very few children in the United States were mentally disabled. Twenty years later it was over 500,000, which represents a 35-fold increase. The number of disabled mentally ill has exploded in all Western countries."

5. SSRIs don't cause suicide in children and adolescents
"The companies and the psychiatrists have consistently blamed the disease when patients commit suicide. It is true that depression increases the risk of suicide, but happy pills increase it even more, at least up to about age 40, according to a meta-analysis of 100,000 patients in randomized trials performed by the US Food and Drug Administration."

6. SSRIs don't have side effects
"Patients care less about the consequences of their actions, lose empathy towards others, and can become very aggressive. In school shootings in the United States and elsewhere a striking number of people have been on antidepressants."

7. SSRIs are not addictive
The worst argument I have heard about the pills not causing dependency is that patients do not require higher doses. Shall we then also believe that cigarettes are not addictive? The vast majority of smokers consume the same number of cigarettes for years."

8. The prevalence in depression has increased a lot in recent history
Gotzsche points out that this is difficult if not impossible to determine, as the criteria for being diagnosed as clinically depressed has been drastically lowered over the last 50 years.

9. The main problem is not overtreatment, but undertreatment
"In a 2007 survey, 51% of the 108 psychiatrists said that they used too much medicine and only 4 % said they used too little. In 2001-2003, 20% of the US population aged 18-54 years received treatment for emotional problems."

10. Antipsychotics prevent brain damage
"Some professors say that schizophrenia causes brain damage and that it is therefore important to use antipsychotics. However, antipsychotics lead to shrinkage of the brain, and this effect is directly related to the dose and duration of the treatment."

As for a solution, Gotzsche states that he is not against the use of psychiatric drugs, but that doctors must do everything that can before resorting to their use, and only then as a short-term solution.

More info speakoutagainstpsychiatry@gmail.com

June Newsletter

Dear Friends,

June's meeting for the Friends of East End Loonies is taking place next week, on Monday the 16th, between 18:30 - 20:30 pm, at LARC 62, Fieldgate Street E1.

Please join us as we'll be celebrating two friends 70th birthdays, discussing future events and making the most of our gathering.

We've got the confirmed date for our Open Mic at the Shuffle: this will be on Sunday the 3rd of August, on the closing and uber-filled day of the festival

Does anyone want to be part of a documentary telling FEEL story? Jo is coming along to present his filming project.

Congratulations to CoolTan Arts for winning the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/
A couple of their events happening soon:
-Mad Hatter's Tea Party: on Saturday 14th June, 1pm-6pm: four free workshops and the official opening of the new art exhibition, 224-236 Walworth Road, London SE17 1JE

-Largactyl Shuffle – Summer Solstice Midnight Walk: Saturday June 21st 2014, 11.45pm – 5am, Sunday June 22nd 2014
Start: Tate Modern (outside The Turbine Hall entrance), Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Ends: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ

Lots is happening around London with the new Anxiety Festival, curated by the Mental Health Foundation, running up to the end of the month http://www.anxiety2014.org/

More locally, Community Options are promoting two events this week:

-11^th June 11am-4pm Wellbeing Sports Day for Mental Health Service Users and staff through Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham at The Copper Box, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E20 3HB

 -12^th June: Your Say Your Day at The Brady Arts Centre 192-196 Hanbury Street London E1 5HU, 2-5.30pm

NSUN and the University of York are inviting people who currently access mental health services (or have accessed them in the past) to take a course ran by MindApples on wellbeing, mental effectiveness and resilience. The training is free. Please register before 23 June using this LINK 

ASA (Advertising Standard Agency), is trying to limit the scope of natural health practitioners, not allowing to use terms such as therapy, diagnostic, treatment, etc, or claim to treat medical conditions. However natural therapies are the ones likely to help most of conditions with the least, if any, side effects. Consumers when unsure are easily tricked by the media. Now an investigation on ASA has been called. Watch this video and please sign the petition www.asa-the-truth.org.uk