Minutes from 18 January 2010

EPSOM MENTAL HEATH WEEK 10-16 OCTOBER 2010

NOTES FROM MEETING ON MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2010

Review of last year:  What went well?

·       Panel at opening

·       Artwork

·       Talk from Chris Grayling

·       Gareth Tuckwell

·       Library session – attracted people who were just passing

·       Programme was varied and excellent

·       Well-organised

·       Cracking up

·       Publicity – materials were delivered to most houses, handing out leaflets, local radio, council website

·       Plays in schools were well-received

·       The closing party

·       Large number of volunteers

·       Children’s posters (need more this year!)

What would we like to improve?

·       Channelling participant’s ideas about future events

·       Films at the Odeon this year

·       More direct work with schools and colleges, talking with headteachers, involving colleges earlier

·       More information disseminated about which services are available

·       Not enough coverage in local  papers

·       Some evening events too late at 9pm

·       Attendance at exhibition (central location?) and ensure stands are in a prominent position (i.e. think about the traffic flow round the venue)

·       Tea for carers could have been better attended

·       First Steps could have been more involved

·       More publicity needed

·       Are we trying to focus on too many groups? Should we be specifically looking at e.g. people who don’t know much about mental health issues, and /or young people? Perhaps more thinking needed about who our target groups are

“Dreaming the Dream” – our vision for 2010

·       Breaking down stigma for young people, giving them a vocabulary to talk about mental health issues which affect them

·       Building relationships with local media, including local newspapers and county council journals

·       Raising profile e.g. screens in Ashley Centre, Post Office, Building Societies, etc all around town. More advertising and sponsorship generally

·       Provide opportunities for participants to follow up on particular areas of interest from a talk; ensure we have someone with counselling skills available to support people who need support during or after an event (suggestion made that Sams could be involved in providing this support)

·       More of a spiritual element

·       Make the most of the timing around World Mental Health Day for publicity purposes (and possibly theme)

·       People thinking it’s OK to seek help/breaking  down stigma

·       Promote better understanding of some underlying causes of mental ill-health, and the link between mental health issues and e.g. learning difficulties

·       All employers will be understanding when an employee can’t be in work when they are ill

·       A mental health street market with stalls for charities, housing associations, etc in the centre of Epsom. Possibly on a Saturday to attract people who work during the week. Publicised by “Golf Sale”

·       Getting the police involved

·       Young people and early intervention team putting together a film (Reigate College did something similar a few years ago). Film could be shown at secondary schools (discussion around this, might be for 2011 because of lead-in times, but could explore for 2010)

·       Football teams and sports, getting the Rainbow Centre more involved

·       Getting service  users to talk to others about their experiences

·       Multi-faith debate (possibly panel) about mental illness

·       Book/box for people who need follow-up

·       Tree of hope where people can leave their comments

·       Art in its widest sense – dance, drama, poetry, visual arts; opportunities for creativity and self-expression

·       Quiet spaces

·       Needs to be information available at events about referring people on to other services

·       What is the future of the NHS in the recession?  What does this mean for our role as a community?

·       How to involve BME communities, travellers. Drop-ins?

·       DVD of events and speakers for those who can’t attend. Could Nescot do this? Film events and put them on the website

·       Special features in magazines and newsletters, throughout the year

·       Need to mind our language –talk about people being ill rather than having a “mental health problem”. See the human being not the label.

·       Events for mums with young children who may feel isolated. Possibly linking with local toddler groups and children’s centres. As well as supporting parents, could be an opportunity to raise awareness of encouraging good mental health in their children

·       Maps and travel directions within Epsom

·       Jargon-busting sessions – ensuring vocabulary is accessible

·       Schools teach physical health, can support them in teaching skills for mental health

·       Mental health work as a career opportunity

·       Overall vision - one day we won’t be needed!

Thank you to everyone for your contribution.

Future meetings

All to be held at St Barnabas, 12pm to 2pm (with lunch)

·       22 February

·       22 March

·       26 April

·       14 June

·       2 August

·       6 September

·       20 September

·       4 October

Reminder to everyone: please let Sue or Kirstie know of any funding pots you are aware of. Please don’t assume we already know about them!