The BBC has a mini site called Headroom dedicated to Mental Health.  This week it features articles about a series of films that have been broadcast on BBC4.  Of particular interest is – Mental: A History of the Madhouse and Sectioned, aired tonight and tomorrow respectively.  Both these films have been made in partnership with the Open University.

Check out their websites:

BBC Headroom:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom

Open University Partnership Site:  http://open2.net/mentalhealth/index.html

Support Group Details Added

I’ve just added details of the two Bi-Polar Support Groups that meet in East Lothian.  One runs in Musselburgh at Changes, the other in Haddington at Tynepark.

For a little more information and times, click here for the advert.

Do You Attend A Group In East Lothian?

If you run or attend a group in East Lothian that has a Mental Health theme, send us the details.  As long as the group is relavent to Mental Health, we will be happy to carry a notice for you.  Just Contact Us!

If your group is related more to physical disability, please see our sister site:   DisabledPeople.org

The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

The BBC website features a section called Ouch.  It is aimed at disabled people and in the main, is written by disabled people too.  In my opinion, one of the best bits of the site is their podcast (now referred to as a “Talk Show”.  This is a monthly offering available for download.

For some reason I’ve fallen behind with my listening, so I’ve just heard a recording from early this summer featuring an interview of Mental Health blogger Seaneen.  She has written her blog “Mentally Interesting: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive” for several years, recording her experiences of Bipolar Disorder and the Mental Health system.  The reason for the interview was that her blog had been turned into a play for Radio 4 called “Do’s and Dont’s for the Mentally Interesting”

New Link Category

Whilst reading Seaneen’s blog and clicking through a few of the other blogs she links to on her site, I thought that this is really a resource we should be looking at more closely.  Many of the articles I’ve read are very personal in nature but they are also very valuable in helping others to understand what is going on.  There is a wealth of personal experience documenting advice tips, explanations of procedures and theories about how services can be developed and improved.  This, combined with the personal feelings and emotions involved makes compelling and educational reading.  I’m sure it could also offer comfort and support to others experiencing similar emotional roller-coasters.

So, I’ve started a Blogroll in the traditional sense.  A list of blogs written by people with a “Lived Experience” of Mental Health problems or possibly people with experience of the Mental Health system that have something to say about that experience.

I don’t want to censor or discriminate.  If you know of a blog you feel should be on our list, let me know and I’ll add it.  Give me your reasons and I’ll try to add an article too!

New Course – Open Access

Stress Control

After the success of the last Stress Control course run at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh, my Psychologist colleagues are getting ready to run their second course.

What’s The Deal?

As the advert says, the Stress Control course will be held over 6 Friday mornings at Prestonpans Library.  As it’s just down from the school, it should be possible to drop off kids and then pick them up again after the course.

The course is designed to help anyone that’s struggling with day to day stress.  Lets face it, stress gets the better of us all at times, this course will help you deal with it a little better.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to come along, so if you’re interested, all you have to do is pick up the phone and book a place.  No need to visit your doctor first, you don’t need to be referred.

Click here for more information.

Questions?

If you have any questions or want to book your place, just phone 0131 536 8101.

**Update**

Unfortunately this course has had to be cancelled due to low interest.  It will run again soon, so please get in touch on the number above to find out more and register your interest.