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About us
Background
Mind Your Head was born as a result of monies raised at Gary Manson’s funeral in 2004. Gary had suffered from mental health problems for many years and was unable to find the kind of sustained therapeutic support that he could have benefited from in Shetland.
Since Gary’s death and the creation of Mind Your Head we have also received donations from a variety of sources. There is no doubt that Mind Your Head has struck a chord with many people in the community and we feel strongly that Mind Your Head should be a sustainable group that can aim to reduce the stigma of mental ill health that continues to exist in Shetland and to help fill some of the gaps that exist in current service provision.
The report recently written by five leading mental health charities – WE NEED TO TALK - has made recommendations including:
- The NHS should implement the National Institute for Health and clinical Excellence guidance which recommends that a range of psychological therapies be made available on the NHS. There is evidence that shows their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in improving outcomes for people experiencing a range of common and severe mental health problems.
- The government’s 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review should provide improved access to talking therapies
- The Dept of health should:- make a realistic assessment of the workforce and training implications of delivering psychological therapies : ensure substantive measures for public protection from malpractice and investigate the current bias in research priorities and address it by supporting more research into psychological therapies.
The aims of Mind Your Head to promote and fund appropriate counselling fits well with these recommendations.
Aims And Objectives
Our Aims and Objectives in draft form are as follows:
Aims
- To raise mental health awareness in Shetland;
- To reduce the stigma of mental health;
- To promote relevant counselling services;
- To promote mental health training specifically in relation to suicide prevention;
- To work along with other organisations to find ways of raising mental health awareness among young people;
- To identify gaps in current counselling and training provision in Shetland.
Objectives
- To hold fund raising events on a regular basis. These events will also serve to promote mental health awareness and encourage involvement from individuals who may not normally have interest in / or have a fear of discussing mental health issues;
- To produce leaflets and other literature in a Shetland friendly style;
- To assist in the funding of appropriate counselling where gaps may currently exist;
- To assist in the funding of appropriate mental health/suicide training where gaps may currently exist.
- To undertake training in schools on mental health issues (in partnership with other appropriate agencies)
- To submit articles to local press
- To work towards production of MYH magazine and website
Partnership Working
We are keen to work in partnership with other agencies where appropriate, ie the NHS, SYIS and other voluntary agencies.
Mind Your Head wants to ensure that it doesn’t overlap existing services but that efforts are directed to enhance current provision in Shetland.
Hence we are keen to consult with those who are currently working in the field of mental health and talking therapies to ensure that good communication links can be established and working in partnership achieved.
List of Committee Members
- Shona Manson (Chairperson)
- Julie Halcrow (Secretary)
- Nicola Halcrow (Treasurer)
- Margaret Birrell
- Jolene Garriock
- Wendy Hatrick
- Louise Mouat
- Alan Murdoch
- Kelly Naulls
- James Rae
- Eleanor Robertson
- Karen Smith
- Phyllis Stickle
- Ann E Thomson
- Theresa Wadley