NSUN Bulletin Monday 10th October 2011
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FROM: * National Survivor User Network

TO: * Shirley Cooper

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Monday, 10 October 2011, 9:09
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In this email:

* World Mental Health Day
* NSUN news
* Viewpoint needs Trustees
* Peer Run Crisis Services - United States
* CQC - Community mental health services survey 2011
* Recycled ICT
* Black History Month
* Department of Health news

World Mental Health Day
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World Mental Health Day was created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise public awareness of mental health issues. It aims to get us all talking openly about mental illnesses and the treatment and preventions that are available to us all. This year the theme is "Investing in mental health". See below for more information and some of the events that are taking place to raise awareness.

World Health Organisation
Emergence: Fundraising concerts
Mental Health Foundation: Tea & Talk events
MDF The Bipolar Organisation: Where red!
Raising Awareness In Camden
Active Living: Wigan event
Open Minds album launch: Leicester
Cooltan Arts: Largactyl Shuffle Walk 15.11.11
Speakup CIC: Kent events
The Great Push Investing in Mental Health: Barnet art exhibitions
Hertfordshire: event
Time To Change: events
World Federation for Mental Health
National Awareness Days
Time and Date

What ever you're doing, where ever you are, we wish you the best possible Mental Health Day!
NSUN news
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Become an NSUN Trustee
To be elected as a Trustee, we need your application by the Monday 17th October. Please email for an application pack, or call 020 7820 8982 . Our AGM is 1st November 2011 and Trustees need to be present to be elected. For more information or to download an application form click here.

Members' annual survey
Your views are important to us, so please take the opportunity to share them with us. We want to know what you think about what NSUN does and what you want to see it do in the future.
Please access the survey here.
If you would like a paper copy sent through the post please email us.

NSUN poll
Please take a minute or so to vote in our latest poll. We are asking your views about the new commissioning structures. Just click here.

Service users' experiences of recovery under the 2008 Care Programme Approach
This study has been set up by the Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with NSUN. It will explore how effective service users find the Care Programme Approach in promoting recovery as they understand it. It is a London based study.
If you would like to find out more please click here.

British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) Human Rights in Healthcare
Since August 2010, BIHR has been working on a project to raise awareness of human rights among voluntary sector organisations involved in health and social care. NSUN is one of 24 organisations involved in the project, exploring ways of using human rights to promote better health and social care. BIHR is also setting up a wider Health and Human Rights network. Find out more about the project on the BIHR website and view the community website here.

The Hardest Hit march: Newcastle 22nd October
Disabled people in the North East, along with their families and friends, are taking to the streets in Newcastle to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. Join them and help to make sure all voices are heard.
Read more here.
Viewpoint needs Trustees
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Viewpoint is a charity whose purpose is to use the views and expertise of people who use mental health and drug and alcohol services in Hertfordshire to bring about change for the better.
By becoming a Trustee, you will be helping to make a difference to people's lives and their experiences of the services that are set up to support them. You will be a pioneer in promoting user led services for the future.
To be elected as a Trustee, we need your application by the 1st November 5pm 2011. For an application pack, speak to Dennis Edwards CEO on 01707 383642 or email. Visit the website for more information.
The AGM is on the afternoon of the 25th Nov 2011 and Trustees need to be present to be elected.


Peer Run Crisis Services - United States
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The National Empowerment Centre (NEC) is a consumer/survivor/ex-patient run organisation.The NEC keeps updated lists of consumer-run organisations and advocacy groups in all 50 states.
There are many different types of peer-run alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization. Successful peer-run respites are currently operating across the United States. You can find out about the NEC and examples of peer-run alternatives here.

CQC - Community mental health services survey 2011
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Over 17,000 service users from 65 mental health trusts in England responded to the survey, a response rate of 33%. The survey comprises a sample of service users aged 16 and over who had been in contact with NHS mental health services in the three month period 1 July 2010 to 30 September 2010 and who were receiving specialist care or treatment for a mental health condition.
Read more here.

Recycled ICT
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Recycled ICT collects surplus or redundant ICT equipment you may have, and then
refurbish and re-use and/or re-install in another charity or school. Theycan accept: Smartboards, Projectors, Laptops, PC's (towers or Desktops P4 or above), TFT Flat Screen monitors, ( subject to equipment and quantity ) but can't accept: Printers, Cartridges. Copiers, Fax machines, Unworking PC's, CRT Monitors, Components
In some cases they will pay you for used items such as Smartboards, Projectors, Laptops & Desktop PC's providing they are in working order & depending on specification This can be done either as a cash payment or as a discount against future ICT purchases. Should you prefer the discount, this is valued at double the price given as a cash payment.
For more information email or telephone 01472 399880

Black History Month
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Black History Month (BHM) Afrikan History Month (AHM) is held every October in Britain, and February in USA and Canada.
The aims are to:

* Promote knowledge of the Black History , Cultural and Heritage
* Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society
* Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage.

View some of the events taking place around the country here.

Department of Health news
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Developing clinical commissioning groups: Towards Authorisation
On 30 September, the latest version of Developing clinical commissioning groups: towards authorisation, was published. It can be accessed here.
The document sets out thinking to date to help emerging clinical commissioning groups consider the steps towards authorisation. It describes the processes that may need to be in place to ensure that CCGs are highly effective, with the leadership and confidence to discharge their healthcare and financial responsibilities.

SHA cluster directors appointed
Following the appointments of chairs and chief executives, directors for the four Strategic Health Authority (SHA) clusters across England have been announced. Other senior appointments, including non-executive directors, will be made in due course. To see the appointments, go to the website.

Social Care bulletin, issue 18, September/October 2011
The latest edition of the Social Care bulletin is now available. David Behan, Director General of Social Care, discusses the launch of Caring for our future, a nationwide engagement exercise to identify priorities for improving care and support. If you use care and support services, you are encouraged to take part. Also, read about the Government's plan to tackle gang violence and find out about an innovation challenge where you could win a grant to help develop products and services for those living with dementia. For more information go to the website.

Prevention and early intervention
In his first video blog, Alex Fox, CEO of NAAPS talks about prevention and early intervention, the discussion area he will be leading as part of the social care engagement exercise. For more information visit the website.

Launch of Patient Decision Aids (PDAs)
The new online Patient Decision Aids (PDAs) were officially launched at the Right Care Shared Decision Making Programme event on Friday 30 September 2011. The tools will help patients learn more about their conditions and help inform them about options for treatments or tests in circumstances where the clinical evidence shows that there are a number of equally effective options.
The new online tools are accessible on the NHS Direct website and cover eight different preference-sensitive healthcare decisions: Osteoarthritis of the knee, Enlarged Prostate, Localised Prostate Cancer, Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) /Amniocentesis testing, Prostate Cancer Screening, Breast Cancer surgery choices, Osteoarthritis of the Hip, and Cataracts.
For more information go to the website.