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VOX Update Issue No 332

Suicide Prevention Strategy
VOX is working on collecting members’ views on how well suicide prevention methods are working in Scotland – for instance, what you think of education and early intervention to prevent suicide/ what you think of services and support for people to stop them reaching a crisis stage/what you think of support/services for people in crisis and after suicide attempts and what you think of how other areas which can lead to suicidal crisis are being tackled (benefits, housing, poverty, education etc.) We would really appreciate hearing from you. If you would like to contribute any of your experiences, thoughts or ideas on this topic please get in touch with Paula: pfraser@mentalhealth.org.uk
 or phone on  0141 226 9855
 
Co-production and Lived Experience – Back to Basics
 “how power is held matters, without looking at this co-production doesn’t work”, come along to VOX’s discussion session, 13th December at 1pm to 3pm, aimed at people with lived experience, to help us understand what is needed to make co-production work. We want to know what would make you feel equal to policy makers and services providers when you working together to create change? How do we make genuine connections and shift to a more relational approach in co-production? We hope to work with you to start to create a Lived Experience Charter over the coming months, which we hope will influence and shape how co-production is understood. Contact Michelle on mmcbride@mentalhealth.org.uk or phone on 0141 406 0629  
 
Access to Services – Deep Dive - The type of services available/what we need and what we get.
As access to services was identified as the top priority for members at our recent members’ meeting, our initial work is to hold some deep dives with members to find out what you think and what your experiences are.  The first deep dive is on Tuesday 14th December at 1:30pm on zoom.  We would love you to join us.  If you’re interested in attending or want to contribute in a different way please get in touch with Paula on pfraser@mentalhealth.org.uk or phone on  0141 226 9855.
 
The Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Survey
A FIRST-of-its-kind survey is calling on people with experience of complex mental illnesses to share their views and experiences of stigma and discrimination to help shape policy, support and services. Led by See Me – Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination – and the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University, the Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Survey is recruiting participants aged 18 and over from across Scotland, who have experience of severe, complex and/or enduring mental illnesses. Potential participants can find full information, including eligibility requirements, at  
https://seemescotland.org/StigmaSurvey
 
Be part of the change with the Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Survey
The Mental Health Foundation, See Me and Glasgow Caledonian University are undertaking a ground breaking research project to better understand how people living with severe, complex and/or enduring mental illnesses experience stigma and discrimination. If you have experience of severe, complex and/or enduring mental illnesses, and would like to use your experiences to influence change and help others, the research team would love to hear from you. You can find out more about the survey, eligibility criteria, and how to get involved on the See Me website.

Know, See, Speak Out: 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is everybody’s business, and everyone can make a difference. Join the Kent and Medway 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse campaign – Know, See, Speak Out. From 25 November – 10 December 2021, worldwide people are calling for an end to gender-based violence. Use these free resources to help you and the people you know to learn about, understand, and feel empowered to speak out against domestic abuse and the devastating impact of this crime, so that everyone can get victims to safety this winter and beyond.

Understanding Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination

Mental health problems can be hard for anyone to cope with but it can be made worse by having to deal with stigma and discrimination from others. More than half of people with mental health problems in Scotland have experienced stigma and discrimination. People told us they most commonly experience it from the people closest to them, friends, family and work colleagues. Asking for help is not easy either, the most common place people experience stigma and discrimination is in GP practices.
“Discrimination is placing barriers to achieving what everyone else is allowed to. Denying someone the opportunity to flourish in life, friendships, relationships, career and their place within their own community.” John Learn more.
 
Learning from the Lived Experience Reference Group
Are you an agency or organisation looking to bridge the gap between a commitment to lived experience engagement and putting it into practice? This new case study from the Early Intervention in Psychosis Lived Experience Reference Group shares insights and recommendations. There’s a handy top tips info-graph too! https://bit.ly/2Zmv3yR
 
Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund
The new Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has been established with £15 million allocated to support mental health and wellbeing in communities across Scotland. This new fund is being delivered and managed by Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) in partnership with local integrated health authorities and other partners including Community Planning Partnerships and local authority mental health leads. The fund aims to support adult community-based initiatives to help address the impact of distress and mental ill health caused by social isolation and loneliness, as well as addressing the mental health inequalities exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn more

Being Human: Human rights lecture series
Rosemary Kayess will deliver the first lecture in the series with a focus on human rights and disability. The ‘Being Human’ series will explore the importance of embedding human rights into health and social care policy and practice and will highlight the stigma, discrimination and inequality faced by disabled people, people living with long term conditions and unpaid carers in Scotland. “No human has the complete repertoire of abilities. We are all relatively limited in some way at some time.” Rosemary Kayess The first lecture is with Rosemary Kayess, Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and will be chaired by Lucy Mulvagh, Scottish Human Rights Commission. More here.

Before it’s a Crisis
Here is a list of numbers you can phone for support when most services are closed. It is a good idea to keep these numbers where you can find them when you need support or help. Services such as Breathing Space and the Samaritans offer a listening service. Social Work and the NHS are more appropriate if you need more than this. Some services may not be available during the current pandemic.
 
NHS24 111 www.nhs24.com
 
Samaritans 116 123

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (Mon to Thurs 6pm - 2am)
(Fri to Mon 6pm - 6am)

Cruse Bereavement Care 0845 600 2227 www.crusebereavement.org.uk

Saneline 0300 304 7000

Beat (Formerly Eating Disorders Association) Helpline 0345 634 1414, Youth line 0345 634 7650

LGBT  Our LGBT Helpline Scotland (phone, email, LiveChat) operates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12-9pm), with extended phone support on Thursdays (12-6pm) and soon Sunday (12-6pm). The telephone number is 0300 123 2523 they can also be contacted by e-mail or LiveChat Messenger at https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/helpline/ “We are still here for you - we have suspended face to face services and events, but we are not stopping our work!” You’ll find an update about LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s services here: LGBT Health Coronavirus: Information and Service updates All our staff are now home working and we can all be reached on our work emails: name@lgbthealth.org.uk
 
Emergency Social Work Service 0800 731 6969 (out of hours only)

Alzheimer’s Scotland 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline on
0808 808 3000 or contact the E-Helpline at helpline@alzscot.org

Ayrshire out of Hours Service free phone number is 0800 328 7758

LGBT Youth Scotland www.lgbtyouth.org.uk

Brothers in Arms was launched as an awareness-raising website to represent men in Scotland and to start the conversation about male suicide, the single biggest killer of men in the UK under the age of 45. info@brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk

Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
0800 027 1234 (24-hour service)
Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse.
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
 
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0300 999 5428 or 0800 999 5428
Provides help and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline

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