About

As most of you know I have both a personal and professional interest in mental health and am only too aware of the difficulties that people can face in living with distress but also in accessing services. I wanted a challenge to maintain my fitness but also raise some much needed money and more awareness of Rethink. I'm doing a 10km run on 14th September for them which apart from running involves a course where DJs play at various points as you go round. This may not be the ice bucket challenge (though am willing to incorporate it at the end if it raises more money :)) but nonetheless a worthy cause. For more information on them check out www.rethink.org They are also just started running a campaign to highlight the need for the next future government to commit to - Manifesto for better Mental Health: 1. Fair funding for mental health - Commit to real terms increases in funding for mental health services for both adults and children in each year of the next Parliament. 2. Give children a good start in life - Ensure all women have access to mental health support during and after pregnancy. Raise awareness of mental health by putting it on the national curriculum and training teachers and school nurses. Invest in parenting programmes across England. 3. Improve physical health care for people with mental health problems - Ensure Government targets for smoking reduction apply equally to people with mental health problems. Create a national target to stop people with mental illness dying early, due to preventable physical health problems. 4. Improve the lives of people with mental health problems Continue to fund the Time to Change anti stigma campaign. Offer integrated health and employment support to people with mental health conditions who are out of work. 5. Better access to mental health services Introduce maximum waiting times for mental health care and support, including psychological therapies. Commit to continued improvements in mental health crisis care, including liaison psychiatry services in all hospitals. Continue to fund liaison and diversion mental health services, working with police and the courts.