Each week we publish blog posts on a whole range of topics, relating in some way to mental health — written by Mind staff, service users and health and policy professionals. Some blog posts may not reflect official Mind policy.
We welcome comments and questions on our posts, but have a few ground rules to keep the site welcoming and interesting to every body. The first rule is the most important: be respectful of other commenters and bloggers.
Guest post from Zoe, reviewing John Marzillier's memoir, 'The Gossamer Thread: My Life as a Psychotherapist', shortlisted for this year's Mind Book of the Year award
I began this book as I began my own therapy journey: avoidant, determined not to engage, and fearful of what I may discover.
2 CommentsGuest post from Pandora, reviewing Wendy Perriam's novel 'Broken Places', shortlisted for Mind Book of the Year 2011
The blurb of Wendy Perriam's twenty-second novel, 'Broken Places', boldly states that 'you may love Eric [Parkhill, the protagonist]... or want to shake him!' In my experience, the two states were not mutually exclusive, but overall I was definitely in the 'love' camp.
Start the discussionThe number of people claiming benefits for illness and disabilities makes headlines on a regular basis, with charities challenging misleading media coverage throughout the welfare reforms.
Yesterday it was the turn of our nation’s leaders to raise eyebrows over the relationship between government stats and media portrayals of benefit claimants.
45 CommentsThis is a guest blog by Sharon Howard.
I have just completed my second week back at work after my latest BPD crisis. Making the step to return to work was a difficult one. I was terrified of not being able to cope; what people would think of me (many of the people I work with know why I was off, my BPD is 'out-of'-the-bag' so to speak) and just the whole process of working in general. But, I had to do it; I knew this since I first handed in my sick note in April.
48 CommentsGuest post from Jane on how online resources and community have helped her get a handle on her depression
Until I had depression, I didn’t understand what it was. If I said I was depressed, it was usually because of something inconsequential like staying late at work. That’s not being depressed, that’s being fed up – but it’s not being depressed.
Since I was little, I’ve had a passion for psychology and a particular interest the field of mental health. Often, I felt I should do more than just attend lectures at university, particularly as I would love to be a psychologist in future; so this year I began volunteering with Mind.
4 CommentsGuest post from Sara Kirkpatrick. Sara reviews Joanne Limburg's 'The Woman Who Thought Too Much', which was recently shortlisted for Mind Book of the Year 2011
Can I say that I didn’t want to open this book? A strange way to begin a review maybe, but it’s true. I wanted to read it; I didn’t want to read it. As someone who has experienced postnatal depression and almost paralysing levels of anxiety, I was wary of finding too much of my own experiences and myself in the book.
Start the discussionLast week, the Dilnot Commission published its recommendations on the future of funding for adult social care in England.
Well, from Mind’s recent surveys prior to these consultations, we know that social care services provide essential support to many people with mental health problems.
24 CommentsIt was a real privilege to be invited to speak at the official opening of the High Royds Memorial Garden in Leeds at the weekend. The garden lies just a few yards from the old High Royds asylum, on the site where nearly 3000 unclaimed bodies of patients are buried in unmarked paupers’ graves. It was an intensely moving event; I met one woman whose great-grandmother had spent 59 years as an inpatient in the hospital, and was buried on this site.
8 CommentsDo doughnuts make you depressed? The Daily Mail, in an article yesterday, has given a list of ‘surprising everyday triggers’ that it believes can cause depression.
Depression is a much more complex condition than the article implies. While some of the possible causes suggested by the article may be factors in triggering or worsening depression we don't know why some people are likey to experience depression and not others. Simplifying and focusing on a small selection of possibilities is unhelpful.
12 CommentsGuest post by Debora Singer, Policy and Research Manager at Asylum Aid
In January, Asylum Aid published Unsustainable, our new research into the quality of the decisions made by the Home Office when women seek asylum in the UK. It reaches stark conclusions about the reforms needed to our asylum system – and also shines a light on the mental health problems affecting women when they flee persecution abroad.
1 CommentGuest post from Glen, on the difference one caring mental health professional can make.
In 2009 I moved to London and to the care of a new support worker at the local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). Annie was my third support worker that year, but she was amazing from the start.
33 CommentsYesterday marked the end of Refugee Week and the end of Mind’s series of blogs on refugee mental health. The series has provoked some interesting responses from our supporters on the blog and on our Facebook page, and has been retweeted repeatedly.
For some people, it was the message of the importance of providing sanctuary that struck a chord.
1 CommentGuest post from Judith, on mental health discrimination in the workplace
I've had a history of depression since I was a teenager. I had to spend several months as an inpatient in my teens. However, with support and medication I learnt to manage my problems. I moved away from home, got my A-levels and went to University.
21 CommentsIt’s six months since I started here at Mind as Head of Communications. I’m very proud to be working for a charity that’s close to my heart that raises awareness of such important issues. It’s been a busy and exciting time, and although public awareness of mental health is gradually improving, it’s clear that there is so much more we can do and I'd like your help to improve our communications material.
16 Comments