News
Mental Health News Round-up (Part 2), January 2023
MVA offer another selection of recent articles related to Mental Health.Porchlight launch New Service offering Extra Support for people you work with
A new peer support service is being delivered by North Kent Mind and Rethink Mental Illness on behalf of Porchlight and the NHS.
The Mental Health Crisis Prevention Service works with people (aged 18 or more) who are struggling to find support in either Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Medway or Thanet.
Porchlight say the service is available to help people who:
- recently experienced a mental health crisis and still need some support
- frequently require mental health crisis support
- have complex emotional difficulties (previously known as personality disorder) or
- are waiting for a mental health assessment following referral by a healthcare professional
Porchlight also reassure that all clients would work with knowledgeable and understanding staff with experience of mental health issues, so that the clients feel comfortable to explore their concerns.
For more information, or to request a referral form:
Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Medway:
Contact North Kent Mind by email at CrisisPeerAlternativeService@northkentmind.co.uk or call 01322 291380
Thanet:
Contact Rethink by email at ThanetCrisisSupport@rethink.org or call 07483 332505
Guidance for Universities on How to Respond to a Student Suicide
A guide has been published offering practical advice and support to leaders and staff working within student services or higher education who may be involved in responding to the death of a student.
Universities UK, Samaritans, and PAPYRUS (the UK’s national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide) have published this guidance to help universities and similar institutes.
The aim of the guide is to help and direct leaders in giving compassionate, confident, and timely support when a student death was caused by suspected suicide.
Developed in collaboration with frontline workers of student support, leading researchers, and with key contributions from students, families, and organisations, the guide has a focus on suicide and bereavement.
More details about the guide, available for FREE download, can be found at the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) website.
FREE Wellbeing Workshops launching for Spring 2023
As part of Porchlight’s Mental Health Participation Project, a variety of workshops are being held to improve the wellbeing of young people aged 18-to-25.
These gatherings are assured to be relaxed, informal and interactive, and are designed to give attendees the opportunity to explore different ways of managing or improving their wellbeing within a supportive environment.
For this season, upcoming events are:
- Nature Walk and Floristry at Canterbury Cathedral – 23rd February 2023 (12-4pm)
- Creative Arts Day at The Beaney Museum, Canterbury – 21st March 2023 (10-4pm)
- Coming Soon - Outdoor Photography and Workshop, Thanet – March 2023
Organisers do advise that spaces are limited so booking is essential.
For more information, or to register your interest, please email Porchlight at yap@porchlight.org.uk.
Release the Pressure is a project developed by Kent County Council (KCC) which provides confidential support with mental health concerns to get you back on track.
For FREE confidential support at any time, text the word Kent to 85258 or phone 0800 107 0160.
Medway Council also provides wide-ranging help and direction to offer support for those with mental health concerns.
You can also call the Samaritans, free, 24/7 on 116 123
MVA continues its efforts to provide coverage of local and national news and events from the Voluntary and Charity Sector.
If you would like to see coverage of specific news or subject to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.