Refugee support group the DEWA Project are partnering with mental health practitioners and solicitors to assist women asylum seekers who have suffered sexual or domestic violence. The Home Office Gender Asylum Plan has recognised that woman asylum seekers should be provided with access to trauma counselling and asylum rights information and should not have to relate their story in front of their children or to a male interviewers or interpreter. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A mortgage advisor from Chesterfield has been playing a percussion marathon at Yellow Arch Studios to raise awareness of mental health issues. Martin Conlon aims to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity Mental Health UK. Conlon said he was doing it to honour the memory of his son who died, age 23, after suffering from mental health problems. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield mental health charity Interchange is supporting proposals for mental health education to become part of the schools curriculum. Counsellor and education services manager at Interchange, Leah Booker, said education is needed in schools to increase awareness and understanding of mental health. She spoke to Sheffield Live! after a debate in Parliament to discuss whether mental health education should be a compulsory part of the curriculum. Over 100,000 signed a petition started by Adam Shaw of Sheffield supporting the idea. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Arts charity, Ignite Imaginations, has presented a new exhibition at Sheffield Winter Gardens exploring issues of mental health and identity. The project has been development in partnership with Adullam Homes and support of the National Lottery. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Louisa Golob, chief executive of Ignite Imaginations.
The Sheffield Dementia Alliance, responded to a new report by the Lancett Commission, is advising on lifestyle changes that can prevent the incidence of dementia. According to scientists around one third of dementia cases are preventable through improved life choices including continuing education, exercise and addressing middle-aged obesity, high blood pressure and hearing loss. It is estimated that 1.2 million people in England and Wales will be living with dementia by 2040, a 57% increase from 2016 figures largely driven by people living longer. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Katherine Mary Horner from Sheffield Dementia Alliance.
Mental Health Action Group Sheffield has four months left before its doors will shut to service users unless it secures new funding. The announcement comes after a Sheffield Council decision to withdrew grant funding for the Organisation. MHAGS, established in 1992, is based in Creswick Street, Langsett and provides meeting space and support for people with mental health problems. In recent years it has received a £10,500 annual grant from the Council to help with expenditure. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Campaigners who oppose the closure of The Hurlfield View care home for people with dementia have been protesting outside the Town Hall. Last month they presented a 10,000 signature petition to Sheffield City Council. The Council have said they are “one hundred percent confident” there will sufficient pre-bookable respite and day care activities in place from April 2017. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Prime Minister, Teresa May has outlined plans to tackle what she described as the “hidden injustice” and stigma of mental illness. The PM said there will be additional training for teachers, an extra £15m for community care, and a £67.7m investment into online services such as self-checks to help diagnose mental health in its early stages so surferers can get the help they need. Mrs May’s speech comes as she outlined her plans to use the state to create a “shared society”. Tim Jones is the founder of Sheffield mental health action group, a charity organisation where mental health surferers meet to socialise.
A day full of fun activities including Graffiti Art, Zumba and Tia Chi was held in Lowedges, to combat isolation and to bring different sections of the community together at a time when the nights are drawing in and the cold weather can make it more difficult to get out.