“Newsletter June 2009”
Pride, Mental health, and self-stigma
Dear Colleague, Supporter or Member,
I wanted to write to you frankly about my own mental health because it has impacted on Stand to Reason, but also because I hope it will give encouragement to others to hear my story.
In the first months of the year I have been suffering from the worst depression of my life, triggered by a major life event. After a combination of cognitive behaviour talking therapy and a change in medication, I have been able to start a graded return to work, and thank goodness during the last month or so I am feeling very much my old self.
So far so good – but it has still taken me longer than it should to access the treatment I needed. For all that I have said and written about my past mental illness, intense feelings of self-stigma have held me back. Partly because of symptoms I had not experienced before, and partly because having talked and written so much about my experiences I was now feeling ill “in the public eye” for the first time, and struggling.
Self-stigma can damage us in so many ways: we sometimes avoid taking on challenges because we anticipate we will be rejected or not taken seriously. Testing my fears against reality though, people have shown great compassion and understanding – corporate customers, activists and people throughout the sector have welcomed me back. In the best sense of the word, there is much for us to take “pride” in about the way we bounce back from tough times. Recovery is an ongoing journey, and this time round increasingly I have come to see our project more positively -shouldn’t we talk more about “education” rather than tackling stigma which after all is only based on ignorance? And about “pride” in our diversity rather than our feelings of shame and stigma?
Stand to Reason has had a fantastic start as a campaigning charity: there is much to be proud already, and with your help, we can do more great work together. In recognition of this work I received the ‘Person of the Year’ award in December 2008 from the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Hon James Purnell MP.
The award was made to ‘an individual who has demonstrated an unswerving commitment to the furtherance of human and civil rights of disabled people,’ I wasn’t feeling like that person at the time I can assure you! – but I was extremely proud to accept the award on your behalf. Without you it would have been impossible to have had the traction and impact that we have had as a new charity. Thank you to our Board and all the thousands of people that have supported Stand to Reason on a virtual basis through networking and the internet.
We are delighted that we have a new home with central London offices within Rethink’s headquarters and now have scope to take on more volunteers. We remain wholly independent but have scope to work more closely with Rethink and the Time to Change campaign.
The Stand to Reason team has kept things going while I have been ill and there is lots of good news to bring you up to speed with! We are making the website interactive that we can connect you to each other and create a members’ community. Those of you in London can join us at our offices twice a month for Employment and Recovery workshops led by Dr Liz Miller and myself.
With very best wishes,
Jonathan Naess
What’s going on…
Campaigning – Equality Bill, MPs and mental health
Removing symbolic and discriminatory legislation
When we looked at Mental Health in Parliament last year, we reported that one in six MPs disclosed to us anonymously that they had experienced mental illness. We have been campaigning to remove the ban on people who have experienced mental illness becoming an MP and the other restrictions on magistrates, jurors, directors, partners and insolvency practitioners, which together are a substantial barrier to accessing civil society. The Equality Bill now going through Parliament does not specifically deal with mental health as one of the strands that need to be addressed – alongside race, sex, age discrimination, and Stand to Reason is campaigning to make sure that these important points get picked up in the final legislation.
Election protocol or “compact” not to slur MPs with mental illness
Now perhaps more than ever, MPs mental health is in the spotlight because of the intense pressure that some have experienced because of the expenses scandal. We are working to persuade parliamentarians from all sides to agree a protocol that would support anyone being open about a mental health problem.
An overwhelming theme that emerged from the responses of MPs, Peers, and staff in our survey, was that being open about mental health problems was dangerous and left the person open to attack from opponents and the media.
When we polled people last year in an online poll with the Guardian newspaper, 96 per cent of people stated they would support a politician who discussed their mental health status. Notwithstanding this public support, stigma and discrimination are clearly a problem in Westminster. Just as it needs to be addressed in the boardrooms of the UK’s leading companies, it needs to be tackled within Parliament.
Mental health Training in Parliament
We have also offered our workplace products to the House of Commons to provide training for MPs to recognise the early warning signs of mental distress and to help them feel more comfortable managing mental health at work – after all an MP is a small business employing staff but many reported that they were unaware of the Disability Discrimination Act and the need to adopt reasonable adjustments for staff returning from sickness absence.
Pre employment questionnaires
We have called for the prohibition of pre employment questionnaires where frequently it can be difficult to prove discrimination has taken place, in line with several European countries: Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands. In the United States employers cannot ask people if they have a disability until after a job offer has been made.
Jonathan was very pleased to be part of an excellent programme on Radio 4 You and Yours on Tuesday May 26th discussing employment questionnaires and stigma in the workplace. You can listen again on this link
Working with EHCR and others in the sector we have already had several successes, in particular on influencing the DWP committee reporting on how disability equality fits within the single Equality Act. The committee has insisted that contrary to the minister’s initial position:
“disability related enquiries before a job offer should be permitted only in very limited circumstances. As a general rule such questions should only be permitted after a conditional/provisional job offer has been made. There will be cases where a job offer is withdrawn because of health-related concerns or because reasonable adjustment for a disability is not possible. However, the process would then be transparent, and where there is disagreement as to the decision, further consideration or mediation are possible”.
Access to Work
We have also been successful in persuading the DWP to make its Access to Work scheme with £80million funding more available and better marketed to people with mental health conditions. In particular it is recommended temporary staff cover be provided through the scheme to help employers cope with disability related sickness absence:
“the Department should commit to the principle of extending the scheme to include support for [people with mental illnesses and fluctuating illnesses]. Pilots should also be used to introduce innovative uses of Access to Work such as individual support in form of credits for people with mental health or fluctuating health conditions to pay for temporary cover or work trials. We recommend that, if successful, this support should be rolled out nationwide as soon as possible”.
Workplace cultural change
Stand to Reason launched its first workplace products at a mental health and diversity conference in July 2008. We have now won work with JP Morgan Cazenove, HBOS, Citi, Herbert Smith, Murray Mclay Spens, Ernst & Young and Simmons & Simmons and have an order book including some of the largest and leading edge professional services firms.
•Presentations to boards and senior management on the business case for changing workplace culture.
•“Demystifying Mental Health” – an evening or lunchtime seminar aimed at raising awareness. Usually open to attendance throughout the firm.
•Half-day line manager training programme tailored to the professional firm’s needs and tailored to the firm’s requirements (more information on the following page).
•“Mental Health First Aid” a two-day course aimed at providing more detailed understanding of major types of illnesses and what action staff should take. Typically targeted at key personnel within Wellbeing and Health and Safety functions.
•Facilitate and/or host employee mental health “diversity networks”
•Consultancy advice on adopting leading-edge policies and procedures, including liaison with senior management where appropriate.
•Advice and bespoke training for HR, Wellbeing and Health and Safety personnel.
In our experience, the case histories often represent the most powerful and resonant component of the session, for both management and employees. In this session, the emphasis is on the benefits of ‘corporate enablement’, the power of recovery, the achievement of potential and the maximisation of individual performance.
Peer Support
Recovery and Employment Workshops – Stand to Reason offices 6.30 to 8pm 22 June 2009
Going forward on the first and third Monday of the month, Jonathan Naess and Dr Liz Miller will facilitate Stand to Reason workshops to promote recovery from mental illness, by supporting people in work to retain their jobs and to encourage those who are actively seeking to return to work. The groups are also open to members of Stand to Reason who wish to share their experiences that may help you avoid discrimination and stigma at work.
The workshops will not be prescriptive or didactic and will primarily be “peer support” self-help groups. All participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences. They will not be an alternative to medical advice but will be focussed on the individuals’ other needs, particularly at work.
We have been piloting self-help and self-management workshops for people keen to return to work and profoundly believe that a great deal of what we need to recover from mental illness and retain our health does not have to come from a medically trained professional. Despite her medical training and experience as an Occupational Health doctor, Liz primarily brings expertise by experience of recovery from mental illness.
For further details and to attend, book here
link
Stand to Reason and awards
In addition to Jonathan winning the Radar “Human Rights Person of the Year award in December, link.
Congratulations go to:
Mary O’ Hara – on 28th November 2008 the Society Guardian journalist won the Mental Health Media Print award for the ‘Fit for Purpose’ investigation, which examined the subject of mental health in the workplace, including a Society Guardian cover feature which highlighted the work of Stand to Reason. Earlier in 2008 Mary had been named Mind Mental Health journalist of the year.
One of our high-profile supporters, Alistair Campbell, who spoke at our annual conference, has been named Mind Mental Health Champion of the year – taking over from our trustee Dr Lizzie Miller, and Stephen Fry the year before! You can read more about Alistair’s award here link
The Times journalist and member of Stand to Reason, Sathnam Sanghera (who chaired our business conference with Dennis Stevenson last year), won the Mind Book of the Year award for “The Boy with a Topknot”. link
New Members of Staff
Gail Rundle Gail has joined us as Business Development Director. Gail has held a number of directorships in investment banks in London and New York and her twenty-year career in finance took her to over seventy countries. Gail has a small training company and is working on her first novel. Gail was diagnosed with bipolar illness in her early twenties and feels strongly that mental ill health should not be a barrier to career advancement. gkrundle@yahoo.co.uk She can be reached on 07747 105432.
Alex Stobart. Alex is based in Edinburgh and is developing Stand to Reason, Scotland, as well as contributing to developing our offer to members particularly through the website. Alex was with Allied Domecq plc before he joined the civil service in the Scottish Government as a senior civil servant in April 2001. Until October 2008 he worked for the Scottish Executive in a variety of senior financial management roles, and has chosen to leave the government to build a career in enterprise and improve his own mental health. Alex is on alexstobart@btinternet.com 07595 508625
Rethink have given us a new home
We are in the process of moving into new office space, kindly donated to us by the charity Rethink. Our new address is: Stand to Reason, c/o Rethink, 15th Floor, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP.
Now that we have office space to accommodate volunteers we are very keen to build the team and would like those of you who have offered support at an earlier time to get back in touch again. When I was ill and unable to function it became clear that without a bigger team and technology to support me I would become a bottleneck for the organisation and Stand to Reason would be affected. I am acutely aware that some of you have written to us and are waiting for a response – we will make sure that everybody gets this.
Web Site – volunteers Needed!
As mentioned above we will shortly be updating and modifying the website to ensure that it is more interactive for our members. Some of our members have already kindly volunteered to help and we would be grateful for additional support. If you have the requisite IT skills, including graphic design, web marketing etc., please contact Alex Stobart, who is championing this project.
All volunteers (IT or otherwise) are welcome to join us at our offices at 11am – 2pm Saturday 27 June 2009 for a workshop on volunteering. Email contact@standtoreason.org.uk if you would like to come.
Members’ voices
Sincere thanks to those of you who have sent us your stories. We would welcome receiving other members’ stories of ill health and recovery (on an anonymous basis if preferred). We are planning to rotate these stories of members’ experiences on the web site on a regular basis. Given capacity constraints, we would suggest no more than 500 words.
Research into the Recession
If your mental health has been affected by the Credit Crunch or the Recession we would be particularly interested to hear from you, as we are planning on conducting our own research into the downstream affects of the Recession.
Mentorn Media has also begun work on a documentary for BBC2 looking at the ripple effects of last autumn’s banking crisis and is keen to work with Stand to Reason in the search for people to contribute to the documentary:
BBC Documentary on “Credit Crunch”
Mentorn understand that losing your job and financial problems in general can have a substantial impact on mental health and feel that this is an important aspect to represent in the film. We therefore contacted Stand to Reason, who kindly agreed to help us
It is not a financial or current affairs film; Mentorn are more interested in the human stories of the “credit crunch” and the various – perhaps unexpected – ways in which people’s lives have changed as a result.
They would like to talk to people who work (or worked) in London, probably in financial services or related industries, and who were directly impacted by the crisis. Ultimately, they are looking for people who might want to take part in their programme. In the first instance, however, they would simply like to talk to you and hear about your experience.
If you are interested, or if you’d simply like to find out more about the programme, please do get in touch. All conversations would be treated in the strictest confidence. Contact details: Grace Reynolds 020 7258 6819 greynolds@mentorn.tv or Nick Angel 020 7258 6704 nangel@mentorn.tv
Donations
Membership of Stand to Reason is free and will remain so. We are a not-for-profit charity and it is important to us that unemployed service users, or those facing hardship, are not prevented from joining us owing to financial considerations.
However, for those in a position to do so, we suggest on joining, a minimum donation of £10 per annum. This investment will enable Stand to Reason and its staff (who are working on a voluntary basis) to further the achievement of its aims and objectives. We have made a credible and encouraging start in gaining profile and developing a brand. However, much work remains to be done, including the refinement and introduction of our services. Our strategic plans include mental health training sessions in the workplace and schools and a significant increase in our profile and distribution throughout the UK.
Our membership has been very generous and we thank you in advance for those able to make a further contribution to our cause. We would be grateful if you could send your donations by cheque made out to “Stand to Reason” to the above address. Our sincere thanks.
Recent events
Annual conference – “Celebrating Recovery” 15 December 2008
Stand to Reason held its first annual conference in the debating chamber at City Hall with lunch in London’s Living Room with service user art and jazz music. The event was very well attended and featured a number of Stand to Reason members’ voices as well as high profile speakers, including Alistair Campbell, Ann Milton the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Katherine Tyson the Department Health lead on mental health, and Ian McPerson the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health in England. The event mixed together policy and cultural events in a well-rounded view of our members’ experiences of recovery.
Physical activity and Mental Wellbeing conference – Lord’s Cricket Ground 28 April 2009
Stand to Reason chaired the Conference, also supported by Time to Change, NHS London, the London Development Centre, Sport England with speakers on “Green Exercise” and “Boxercise” a programme within the Time to Change portfolio, service users, academics and experts from universities and the NHS who discussed the importance of physical exercise and what it contributes to our mental health and wellbeing; how to assess the impact of programmes and what best practice there is in the community.
The event was for everybody who loves sport and cares about mental health – not just cricket lovers! Those who were joined us for a fun networking session in the nets.
Forthcoming events
The Maudsley Debate – 6 pm 10 June 2009 Institute of Psychiatry
Following up from Dr Rachel Perkins’ participation in last year’s debate Stand to Reason will be on both sides this year!
This house believes that mental disorder is the price we pay for exceptional creativity.
As part of a controversial series of events combining science and the arts Jonathan Naess and Dr Liz Miller are participating in the Maudsley Debate together with accomplished mental health researchers on a panel hoping to iron out a question that was not out of place in Ancient Greece. The speakers will attempt to establish whether or not the challenges of mental health problems are the cost we pay for a society enriched by the gifts of creativity.
FOR the motion:
Professor Gordon Claridge, Emeritus Professor of Abnormal Psychology in Oxford University
Jonathan Naess, Founder, Stand to Reason
AGAINST the motion:
Dr Liz Miller, Mental Health Champion of the Year 2008 and Trustee, Stand to Reason Professor Michael Trimble, Emeritus Professor of Behavioural Neurology and Consultant Physician, National Hospital Queen Square
CHAIR:
Dr James MacCabe, Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry at the IoP and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the National Psychosis Unit.
Tea and coffee from 5.30pm
To attend contact
Caroline Zanelli
tel: 020 7848 0299
email: caroline.zanelli@iop.kcl.ac.uk
More about the other speakers:
Professor Claridge took his first degree in Psychology at University College, London, in 1953. His PhD work took place at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and from 1957-61 worked as Eysenck’s Research Assistant. Claridge is best known for his work in developing the theoretical construct of schizotypy. He is currently Emeritus Professor of Abnormal Psychology at Oxford.
Professor Michael Trimble was for many years Professor of Behavioural Neurology and Consultant Physician to the Department of Psychological Medicine at the National Hospital Queen Square, London. His current writing and academic interests involve teaching and lecturing with an interest in neuroaesthetics and neurotheology, namely the cerebral basis of artistic and religious experiences.
Mental health and creativity
We are planning two events for the second half of the year in addition to the Second Annual Conference. Both will continue the controversial theme of the relationship between mental health and creativity, we will recognise and celebrate the talent of people with mental illness and take pride in our diversity.
Mental Health and Literature, Film and Theatre
We are in the early stages of planning the first which will examine these relationships, with readings and talks from renowned writers (some of whom are service users) and of course, contributions from members of Stand to Reason.
Mental Health and Music
Over the last two centuries the ideas of artistic genius and mental instability have been closely linked in the popular imagination.
Recent studies and research have demonstrated that the incidence of some mental conditions among creative artists may be greater than among the general population. But writers, artists and musicians also suffer the same stresses and strains as the rest of us – and the same risks of inherited conditions.
Stand to Reason, in partnership with the London Development Centre and the Handel Collection is presenting a concert featuring works by leading composers who suffered from mental disabilities, ranging from bipolar disorders leading to suicidal psychosis (Robert Schumann and Peter Warlock), Asperger’s syndrome (Eric Satie), Tourette’s syndrome (W A Mozart) and chronic eating disorder (G F Handel).
St Stephen Walbrook, our venue has been referred to as “the finest proportioned enclosed building in the world” and was rightly considered by Pevsner to be one of the ten most important buildings in Britain. When Canova met Lord Burlington on the Grand Tour in Rome, he was astonished to discover that Burlington did not know the church saying “but we have nothing to touch St Stephen Walbrook in Rome”.
We will keep you updated on developments as these events take shape.
Breaking news
Dr Rachel Perkins to head DWP review
Stand to Reason trustee, Rachel Perkins has been appointed by Work and Pensions secretary James Purnell to head a review announced on 22 May 2009 into how more people with mental health problems can be supported into work.
In a speech to the Royal Society of Arts, he said it was “shameful” that the employment rate for people with mental health problems was as low as 10%, compared to 73% for the general population, despite the vast majority of mentally-ill people wanting to work.
However, he said there were solutions, such as the use of the “individual placement and support” model by South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, which has successfully got many people with severe conditions into employment. Dr Rachel Perkins is the director of quality assurance and user/carer experience at the trust, who has led on this work.
Purnell added: “She will report by the pre-budget report [due in November], so we can move quickly to ensure the system and the money we spend on it capitalises on the much better treatment that is now available.”
Individual placement and support involves integrating employment with care services and placing people in jobs and providing them with ongoing support in the workplace, rather than training them to get jobs.
Bob Grove from The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, which has championed the model, welcomed the announcement and praised the appointment of Perkins, saying her trust “leads the way in offering people with severe and enduring mental health problems the chance to achieve their ambitions”.
Dame Carol Black strategy on mental health and employment
Jonathan Naess and Rachel Perkins are, amongst others on her steering group, advising Dame Carol on the government’s cross-departmental strategy on mental health and employment, which it is hoped will be published before Parliament rises in July 2009.
The strategy will seek to ensure a co-ordinated response across Government to the challenges faced by people of working age with mental health conditions and to achieve a step change in the support available to help them find and retain work.