Wellbeing and connectedness

Creative writing and mental health: A journey through 26 letters

Storytelling

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Why I’m doing Ride London to support Mental Health Research
by Ian Bradshaw

Our policy manager Ian writes about why he is doing RideLondon, and the special challenges of doing it whilst in recovery from anorexia.

‘You are MAD…’

That was my Mum’s response to the news that I am doing RideLondon 100 mile bike ride at the end of July.

Fundraising

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Depression: Let’s Talk (About How We Talk About It)
by Ian Bradshaw

Today (7 April) is World Health Day, organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). They have picked the theme of “Depression: Let’s Talk”.

It would be easy to be cynical. Yet another campaign about talking about mental health. Between Time to Talk Day and the new HeadsTogether campaign it feels like we are not short of people urging us to open up about our mental wellbeing.

Inclusion and combating stigma

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Research in 2016
by Agnes Hann | Johanna Frerichs

To mark the end of 2016, we’re taking a look back at some of what the McPin team has learned over the past year.

Collaborating with people with lived experience

Research methods

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Is Scouting really the answer to mental wellbeing?
by Ian Bradshaw

As a former Scout (and Cub Scout) with a history of mental health problems my eye was naturally drawn to the headlines declaring that ‘Scouts and Guides provide ‘mental health boost for life’. Yet again I am the exception to the rule!

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Ride London – Evan’s blog
by Evan Champion

McPin Rider 2016

When I feel the black dog sniffing around I’ve learned to hit the gym. I suppose I’ve always dealt with depression, though generally it’s nothing too serious. I went through one period of doing every intensive aerobic session I could find at the YMCA in Montreal.

Fundraising

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Involvement in Research on Loneliness
by Anjie Chhapia | Jackie Hardy

Reducing loneliness – how do you do that then? Hopefully through recruiting the right Community Navigators! Here we reflect on how involving experts by experience in a recruitment exercise can add value and hopefully contribute to a successful research study. 

Improving mental health support

Wellbeing and connectedness

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What does the research tell us about how you talk about and beat stress? #MHW2016
by Daryl Sweet

‘How do you beat stress’? was the question for Men’s Health Week which ran 13th to 17th June 2016. How do men talk about stress? How do men manage it rather than let it build up and harm us? Read Daryl's blog on the role of research in answering this question. We link this to some of our work at McPin and we are keen to hear your views on how research can play a role in creating mentally healthier communities ....

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Relationships for Mental Health
by Johanna Frerichs

At the McPin Foundation, we’re gearing up for Mental Health Awareness Week, which provides an opportunity to join together to promote the importance of wellbeing and mental health for everyone, young or old. Mental Health Awareness Week 2016 takes place between 16^th and 22^nd May and the theme is ‘relationships’, because of the massive influence they have on our health and wellbeing. This connects with a number of projects that we are involved in at McPin, which sit under our theme of 'Wellbeing and Connectedness'. You can find out more by clicking here.

Wellbeing and connectedness

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Research in the News – Mindfulness for the masses?
by Agnes Hann

Over the past couple of months, mindfulness has been making headlines again. This is partly due to a new study, published in the Lancet that suggests that the practice is ‘as effective as pills for treating recurrent depression’.

It is fair to say that for some years now, there has been a lot of hype surrounding mindfulness – a type of therapy that draws on aspects of ancient Buddhist practices and is aimed at ‘increasing people’s awareness of themselves, their emotions and the environment around them, through meditation, yoga and breathing’.

Wellbeing and connectedness

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#mymadidea from West London Collaborative
by McPin Foundation

I attended a very interesting event at Chelsea Football Club on 21st May organised by the West London Collaborative – a new, independent organisation that is working with West London Mental Health NHS Trust to enable service users, carers and staff to work together in equal partnership to design, deliver and evaluate services following co-production as a way of working.

Wellbeing and connectedness

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We are concerned about the mental health of PhD students. By Sarah Hamilton
by Sarah Hamilton

The McPin Foundation’s vision is to ‘transform mental health research’ to ensure that lived experience is at the heart of all research affecting people with mental health problems. This means making research accessible at lots of different levels to allow people with different interests and skills to have their contribution valued in research.

Wellbeing and connectedness

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What helps personalisation flourish?
by McPin Foundation

It sometimes seems as though our health and social care systems are in a constant state of change. Queen’s speech announced more changes to social care, at a time of increasingly difficult financial constraints. One area which is being widely discussed is the need to improve integration between Local Authorities and the National Health Services.

Wellbeing and connectedness

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