Friday, 30 January 2009

Baptism Of Fire?

Michael Cashman MEP





Sir Ian McKellen




Vauxhall Conservatives



I have been actively engaging in service, for my Conservative Party at a local level. In the February 2009 No.5 Vauxhall Conservative News, Newsletter of Vauxhall Conservative Association, is a photo of me on Clapham Common.



Angela Browning MP


Lynne Featherstone MP



Harriet Harman MP


On Wednesday 4th February 2009, I will be attending a Women and the Vote http://www.womenandthevote.com/Looking to the Future, event. The MPs featured above have been invited, as has Madeleine Bunting www.guardian.co.uk/profile/madeleinebunting


My reply to being asked by Beatrice Barleon 2008 Women and the Vote, who will I be representing at the event? Stonewall www.stonewall.org.uk/







Thursday, 29 January 2009

RSVP.


While volunteering, this morning at The Mental Health Foundation, I received a RSVP invitation requesting the pleasure of my company, to celebrate 60 years of the Mental Health Foundation. Tuesday February 3rd 2009, at City Hall, London.





www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Tuesday, 27 January 2009







Today, Wendy, my Care-coordinator, came to my Westminster office and took me for a hot chocolate drink, and eccles cake, plus a chat in the dining area of Marks & Spencers in Victoria [my favourite choice]. Wonderful. Just before Wendy returned to Lambeth, she handed me my anti-psychotic 'Stella' medication.
Now I am relaxing whilst listening to radio 4, one of my favourites.
Unfortunately, the 'Stella' medication handed to me today, by Wendy, was a Syrup. I actually have sugar- free liquid medicine. This has been the case for several years. Tomorrow, I will e-mail Wendy, so that she can arrange for a psychiatrist to change my drug chart to reflect this.



Sunday, 25 January 2009

Edleweiss.






Edleweiss


G D G C
Edleweiss, Edleweiss,
G Em C D
Every morning you greet me
G D G C
Small and white, clean and bright,
G D G
You look happy to meet me.
D G
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow,
C A7 D D7
Bloom and grow for-ever.
G D G C
Edleweiss, Edleweiss,
G D G
Bless my homeland forever.



Saturday, 24 January 2009

The Joys Of Recovery.


This evening, my dear friend Birgit collected me from my Westminster office, to dine 'vegan' on the corner of Lexington and Beak street W1, followed by a trip to 'Haagen Daas' in Leicester Square for a 'Cool Summer' sorbet.

On my way, I rang my adorable son and mentioned to him that I had met Prime Minister Gordon Brown, earlier this week in his private office, within The Houses of Parliament. I informed my son that I would give him a photo of the occasion. My son's first response was to say "Congratulations!" then my response to my son asking why I was with the Prime Minister, was to inform him about the Time to Change Campaign to end mental health discrimination and that the Prime Minister had pledged his support, as has Nick Clegg MP, David Cameron MP and several other MPs. I also reminded my son that the final decision for him to be in Long Term foster care was due to my personal lived experiences of mental distress.

Once I arrived home, I found that I had received the following letter for the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA:

Thursday, 22 January 2009

Dear Ms Stewart-Williams,

Thank you for your email in support of the Time to Change campaign, aimed at ending the discrimination and stigma surrounding mental illness.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the launch event due to prior commitments. Wednesdays are always busy for me in Parliament, and this week was no exception - in the morning I had to present my report on a Parliamentary delegation I led in Syria in January and in the afternoon I sat on three (consecutive) committees! However I will certainly look out for future initiatives.

You may be interested to know that recently I wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions to raise concerns about discrimination in employment against people with a mental illness. Please find enclosed a copy of the response.

I will endeavour to keep you informed of developments. However, if you would prefer not to receive such information then please let me know at the address above. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of any further assistance.

Yours sincerely

Rt Hon Keith Hill MP

(Attached letter)

From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Rt Hon Keith Hill MP

11 January 2009

Dear Keith

Thank you for your letter of 10th December 2008 on behalf of your constituent who is concerned about discrimination in employment against people with mental health illness. You will recall that your constituent has requested that provision is made in the Equality Bill to restrict the use by employers of pre-employment questionaires.

As you will be aware, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended, by this Government to improve and strengthen the rights of disabled people, provides protection against discrimination for people who meet the Act's definition of a disabled person in all areas of employment. Under this legislation a job applicant is not required to disclose voluntarily, at any stage of the recruitment process, that they have a disability. However, if a peroson needs a reasonable adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, because they are disabled, it may be in their interest to say so. The Act does not require an employer to make any adjustments if they cannot reasonably be expected to know that the applicant is disabled.

The Act does not prevent an employer from seeking information about a disability and some employers may require job applicants to make a formal declaration about their health or disability. However, the employer must not use this information to discriminate against the disabled person. If a disabled person considered that information about their disability was being used to discriminate against them, they would be entitled to take action to enforce their rights through and Employment Tribunal.

The Government intends to take opportunities in the Equality Bill to clarify and simplify disability discrimination legislation, but proposes to keep broadly the same level of protection from discrimination in the Equality Bill as is available in the current law. It therefore has no plans, at this time, to include a provision in the Bill to restrict the use of pre-employment questions, particularly as they can prove useful in informing the need for reasonable adjustments.

However, we recognise the particular employment challenges faced by people with mental health conditions. That is why we are taking forward a number of initiatives to tackle this issue. For example, we have asked Dame Carol Black to chair a high level Steering Group to oversee the development of the first ever National Strategy for Mental Health and Employment.

We are also improving our specialist disability employment services, which allow us to move away form a 'one size fits all' approach towards one that is more flexible, less prescriptive and which recognises the very individual needs of each customer.

We will continue to review the Pathways to Work programme for people with serious mental health conditions, and this Department, together with the Department of Health, will explore opportunities to put in place better links between health and employment interventions.

In additions, this Department is utilising its Local Employment Partnerships with employers which is opening up opportunities for our most disadvantaged customers. Through the Partnerships we are working with employers and stakeholders to develop a package of advice and support to help businesses create opportunities for people who find it harder to access the job market, which includes those with mental health conditions.

Through our Employ ability programme we are engaging with employers to improve their understanding of disability and their attitudes towards employing disabled people. The key aim of the programme is to challenge negative assumptions about the skills and talent that disabled workers and those with long-term health conditions have to offer, therefore building the confidence of employers in recruiting and retaining disabled workers. Employ ability, which is a national campaign, was launched in Wales and the South West of England on 27 October 2008 and the South East of England on 5 January.

Your constituent may be interested to know that, specifically in relation to people wit mental healt conditions or illness, Employ ability involved relevant key disability organisations during the creative development of its programme. Furthermore, on its website, Employ ability also features a number of case studies with employees with a mental health condition. These highlight real-life experiences giving both the disabled employee and their employer's side of the story. It has also completed a public information film, which promotes the benefits of employing disabled people and aims to specifically dispel the myths frequently associated with mental health. This is available to view at
www.dwp.gov.uk/employability/hospital-film.asp

On the question of the Employment Retention Private Members Bill, we agree that it is important to encourage improvements in existing in-work support mechanisms for disabled people. In our recent Welfare Reform White paper we mention that Employment Retention Assessments are a valuable tool in considering reasonable adjustments when people acquire a disability or when an existing impairment worsens. We aim to work with and support employers and employees to develope guidance and will consider, with stakeholders, how we may incorporate good practice information into the guidance and codes of practice that will accompany the Equality Bill.

Additionally, we have put in place a number of initiatives to help tackle the problem, such as the highly successful Access to Work programme, where we committed to doubling the available funding by 2014. This will enable us to expand the reach of the programme, enabling us to reassure employers, benefit claimants and people seeking help to retain their jobs, that support will be available to all those that need it.

I hope you will find the above helpful and that it will reassure your constituent that the Government is actively addressing the particular issues which can present barriers to people with mental health conditions when seeking and retaining employment.

Yours sincerely

Jonathan Shaw MP
Minister for Disabled People and Minister for the South East.

Friday, 23 January 2009

Life On Life's Terms.

Stella Duffy

Stand by Me

Today a friend sent me this beautiful and timely link, enjoy:



I was also interviewed today, by 'Time 107.5 Romford' radio station. You will be able to hear it this forthcoming Monday 26th January 2009, starting from 6.00hrs until 13.00hrs.

Time 107.5 Romford



I am looking forward to attending the 15 Years of DIVA Magazine www.divamag.co.uk/ talk


Hosted by

Stella Duffy



at

The Women's Library

Celebrating and recording women's lives



on

Thursday 19th February 2009

Lambeth Social Services.


So far today I have been snoozing and listening to 'Joe' www.hhhdb.com/hhhdb/album.php?id=2150

(featuring Tanesia Mack) from Rock Soul - vol 1 on my ipod. http://www.djirockjesus.com/ features some of my favourite Hip Hop Artists.


Today is my day is my day off, as I will be working this weekend.


I have just received the Children Looked After Statuary Review Record of Discussion and Decisions, dated 13th Nov 2008, for my son in the post. It reads in the main as follows:


Child / young person's participation in the review process

(My son) was present for certain parts of the review and was seen alone and individually consulted with the Reviewing Officer outside of review. Child physically attends and speaks for themself.

The Care Plan for (my son) continues to be long term fostering, matched and approved with present Carers.

Summary of Review Discussion

There has been no changes to those living in household since the last review. Supervising Social Worker confirmed that clothing is satisfactory and appropriate for all seasons.

(My son) is still involved in his social / activity clubs and interacts well with the children in his groups / clubs.

Peter (male Carer) will be taking (my son) and his friend Declan skiing for ten days in February. Details to be passed to Social Worker who will provide a letter stating that they are the long term carers for (my son) and allowing him to travel.

Savings are ongoing and Social Worker to record amount on file. Lyn advised that balance is currently £625.


Life Story Work is ongoing.


Supervising Social Worker reported that CRB check on Suzy (who baby sits - my son - sometimes) has been sent off, and she will highlight to the new team that police check on Derrick and his wife is to be followed up.


Social Worker, Patricia St Claire-Smith has now been allocated to (my son) ans she met him, Lyn and Ms Stewart-Williams today, who states that they were glad this case has now been allocated to a permanent member of staff. Lyn stated that they have had no Social Work visits sin the last review and have been dependent on Supervising Social Worker and although she has given them good input, they look forward to receiving support for the Social Work team. Lyn stated that they are pleased that future Social Work visits will be carried out four weekly as they feel (my son) needs to build a relationship with Social Worker.


Health - (My son) is in good general health and there are no concerns. Lyn (Carer) stated that he eats well but has not been sleeping well lately, although he has lots of energy. Lyn thinks that this is just a phase.

Dentist seen on 31.08.08 and Optician seen on 30.01.08 - no concerns Stat medical carried out on 24.01.08

Lyn reported that (my son) complains of cramp when he walks a long way and he seems to flap when he walks. Social Worker to follow up referral regarding flat feet wit Medical Advisor / consult wit Lyn Reay (CLA Nurse) within two weeks of review. Supervising Social Worker suggested that Lyn take (my son) to her GP which might illicit a speedier response.


Education - (My son) attends The Rudolph Steiner School of South West London in Wood Field, which is a private school financed by Ms Stewart-Williams. Ms Rowe, his teacher, fed back that there are no concerns and (my son) is doing really well. His writing is coming on; he enjoys school and is happy. He is a good reader and is on / above average.

(My son) stated that enjoys school and loves the Lantern Walk which they have on the 11th November in memory of St Martin.

PEP is out of date and Social Worker will arrange this within two weeks of review.

(My son) is to be nominated for a Lambeth education / achievement award.


Contact - Mother - Unsupervised contact continues from 2.00pm - 6.30pm on Saturdays and this is going well / no issues. Christmas contact to be arranged between Carers and Ms Stewart-Williams.

Telephone contact continues every other week.


Care Plan - Long Term fostering - matched and approved with present carers. Carers have recently had their annual review which was positive and it was acknowledged that (my son's) contribution to this was really positive.


AOB - Lyn stated that (my son) is growing very quickly and is a thoughtful, intelligent child and is getting on really well.

Supervising Social Worker (Carol) advised that she would be leaving her post and wished Carer, (my son) and Ms Stewart-Williams well.

Carol advised that she is still attempting to obtain the address of (my son's) previous Carers / Agency (this is not on framework) and will endeavour to complete this task before she leaves.


Date of next review - 23rd April 2009.




Thursday, 22 January 2009

Lovely Day.

Me with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, 21st January 2009.


On my return home, this evening, I received my copy of the following letter clinic date 13 January 2009 in the post:


Letter date: 16 January 2009


Dear Dr Hartman,


Re: Yvonne Stewart-Williams...


Diagnosis: Schizo-affective disorder


Medication: Trifluoperazine 'Stelazine' (reduced to 1mg once daily)


I reviewed Yvonne for a CPA meeting with her care co-ordinator, Wendy Douglas in clinic today. She has been working with Wendy for an interim period whilst Grace Isiaka completes AMPH training and she is scheduled to return in March/April of this year.


Yvonne is doing extremely well and has not had any signs of deterioration in her mental state. She feels the things to look out for are lack of communication, lack of eye contact, not wanting to go out, stopping taking medication and stopping keeping appointments. She initially credited the improvement in her mental state to the support and gradually reduction of medication, but it soon became clear in her discussion that she has mad a huge shift in her life by taking on the position as a Support Worker for Thames Reach Broadway and becoming actively involved in advocacy issues, writing anti-stigma campaigns and coicing the concerns of mental health service users. In addition, she is also standing for a position as a Local Councillor and has a full social life and continues to be actively involved in the care of her son.


We spent most of the meeting discussing a transition point that she has reached in the context of the recovery model. To that end, she wanted to continue being on enhanced CPA for the moment whilst she gradually comes off medication altogether, but we takled about the next step after this. We discussed the fact that many mental health professionals chose to get some ongoing support for example psycho-dynamic psychotherapy or mentoring and this might be the next natural transition point for her after coming off the enhanced CPA. She was quite keen on this idea and has had successful group treatment in the past so I have referred her to the Maudsley Outpatient's department. They have a very long waiting list, so hopefully by the time she reaches the top it will be at the right stage for her.


There were no issues raised about her physical health today although she has a past history of fibroids.


She is in stable accommodation. There were no significant financial issues at present and as mentioned above, she is managing alright in terms of her daily living and has a full and active social and work life. In terms of cultural and spiritual matters, she is part of a Church of England congregation and was recently an usher at a church service specifically held for members of the LGBT Christian community.


In terms of issues of risks, her son is coming up to the end of his Primary school years although is at a Rudolph Steiner school and the main thing she is trying to decide at present is about which school will best meet his needs as he's got specific skills in Maths and Science and an interest in Aviation Engineering. He is looked after by Foster carers with whom Yvonne has an extremely good relationship, and the striking in consultations is how clearly she puts his needs first. There are no current issues of risks for herself or other people.


Care plan:


1. To remain on enhanced CPA with fortnghtly meetings with her care co-ordinator, Wendy

Douglas.

2. To reduce dose of Trifluoperazine from 2 to 1mg and review in May 2009.

3. I will complete a referral to the Maudsley Psychotherapy unit for either individual or group

therapy. This will be a medium term plan as part of moving from being on enhanced CPA

towards a regular supportive and reflective space as she builds her professional career.


Yours sincerely


Dr Kitty....

Specialist Registrar...




A view from one of the Mental Health Foundation windows.



Today, I spent my first morning working for the Mental Health Foundation http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ in my role of Assistant Fundraising Volunteer. Next month the Mental Health Foundation will celebrate sixty years of providing a service of excellence.

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Work In Progress.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Gordon Brown



David Cameron MP
Leader of the Conservative Party
with
Sue Baker
Portfolio Director of Time to Change
Signatures of MPs pledging their support.
Today, the Time to Change campaign was launched. I met a number of MPs at the Houses of Parliament who pledged their support. I also met and shook the hand of our Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in his private office. The Prime Minister pledged his support.
On my return to work, I attended a staff training talk by Helen from The Beaumont Society www.beaumontsociety.org.uk
Other Useful Websites
There's Something about Miriam

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

All In A Day.


Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th US president.
Milk
The film about Harvey Milk
in a word
is
Amazing
as is
The Time to Change campaign, which is now live across England!
Watch the new Time to Change TV ad
Also
let me know what you think about
People’s stories
the
short films with
Stephen Fry
Ruby Wax
Alastair Campbell
myself
and others!
let's end mental health discrimination.

Monday, 19 January 2009

Parliament TTC launch Wed 21st Jan.‏




Keith Hill MP





Nick Clegg MP








David Cameron MP




I am honoured to be attending the Houses of Parliament TTC 'Time to Change' www.time-to-change.org.uk/ launch on Wednesday 21st January 2009. I will meet Nick Clegg, Leader of Lib Dems and David Cameron Leader of Conservatives. I will get to say hello, why I am supporting TTC, shake hands and have my photo taken with Nick Clegg and David Cameron. There will also be around 30 other MPs there. They will include my MP, Keith Hill.

The Jerusalem Bible.


Since my father's name was Amos Williams, and the name of his sound system www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_system
was 'Prince Joshua', and my paternal grandfather's name was David Stewart, at times I peruse the 'Jerusalem Bible' www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Bible In times past I have browsed the Books of Maccabees, but, just for today, I have chosen to read from the historical books section, the book of 'Samuel'.

Sunday, 18 January 2009

The Independent Magazine.

Brian Paddick
Saturday 17th January 2009, I purchased 'The Independent' www.independent.co.uk Within the last few minutes I managed to glance at the 'The curious case of Brian Paddick' by Deborah Orr, on the front cover of 'The Independent Magazine' as for the first time, I listen to a HarperCollins Audio Book www.harpercollins.com/imprints/index.aspx?imprintid=517989 of 'Coriolanus' www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xCoriolanus.html by William Shakespeare, which includes cast such as Richard Burton www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burton

Richard Burton


Parkinson Interview


with Michael Parkinson








Saturday, 17 January 2009

Hope Massiah Does It Again!

This afternoon I accompanied my son to see the last matinee performance of 'Hansel & Gretel', by Hope Massiah www.offwestend.com/index.php/plays/view/2246

Yearly Meeting Gathering 2009.


This year, Britain Yearly Meeting will hold its first of a new kind of Quaker event – the Yearly Meeting Gathering www.ymg.org.uk/ This will take place, from 25th July - 1st August 2009, in York.


I am looking forward to attending and will complete my application form, shortly.

Friday, 16 January 2009

Please Sign Our Petition.

Campaign to Abolish the Schizophrenia Label (CASL).
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to address the social and cultural barriers that a diagnosis of schizophrenia imposes on the an individual labelled with this disorder.
Please Sign Our Petition.

Thursday, 15 January 2009

It's All Good.

















Geoff Bargas & Me.
This afternoon.







Compliments To Our Emergency Services.

Danny Hallisey
Watch Manager
Community Fire Safety
Westminster.
This morning, with other members of my Westminster team, I attended a terrific fire training session, facilitated by Danny Hallisey.

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

'Enigma Of Madness'

Gail A. Hornstein
Professor of Psychology
'To Redeem one person is to redeem the World'

This afternoon, I attended a informative, insightful, Birkbeck College www.bbk.ac.uk/ 'Site of Conflict' Seminar Series talk, by Professor Gail A. Hornstein. I was also able to meet Jacqui Dillon in person, for the first time, as she was in the audience.
Gail's forthcoming book, 'Agnes' Jacket' will be in the shops soon.



Jacqui Dillon
www.soteria.freeuk.com/HearingNYT.htm
Chair of
National Hearing Voices Network, England
www.hearing-voices.org/


Websites Featuring First-Person Madness Narratives.

Alaska Mental Health Consumers Website

http://www.akmheweb.org

Antipsychiatry Coalition
http://www.antipsychiatry.org

Asylum Magazine
http://www.asylumonline.net

ECT
http://www/ect.org

Freedom Center
http://www.freedom-center.org

Hearing Voices Network
http://www.hearing-voices.org

Icarus Project
http://www.theicarusproject.net

Institute for the Study of Human Resilience
http://www.bu.edu/resilience

International Guide to the World of Alternative Mental Health
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com

International Community for Hearing Voices
http://www.intervoiceonline.org

Law Project for Psychiatric Rights
http://psychrights.org

M-Power
http://www.m-power.org

Mad Not Bad
http://www.madnotbad.co.uk

Mad Pride
http://www.ctono.freeserve.co.uk

Mental Health Client Action Network of Santa Cruz County
http://www.mhcan.org

Mental Health Media
http://www.mhmedia.com

Mental Health in the UK
http://www.zoo.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Mind
http://www.mind.org.uk

Mind Freedom International
http://www.mindfreedom.org

National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy
http://www.narpa.org

National Empowerment Center
http://www.power2u.org

Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association
http://www.pmhca.org

People Who
http://www.peoplewho.org

Prinzhorn Collection
http://www.prinzhorn.uni-hd.de/index_eng.shtml

Psychiatric Survivor Archives
http://www.psychiaticsurvivorarchives.com

Successful Schizophrenia
http://www.successfulschizophrenia.org

Survivors Art Foundation
http://www.survivorsartfoundation.org


This evening, I went home via, a Lambeth Mind www.lambethmind.rg.uk facilitated, Hearing Voices Group.