Warning!
We cannot guarantee for the correctness of the addresses nor the actual political
or personal positions of the persons or groups on the list. User/survivor of psychiatry
groups have different positions and perspectives. Trying out contact addresses
is always at your own risk. / ENUSP does not accept any money from the drug industry.
National, regional and local organisations, however, take their own decisions.
For reasons of transparency, we refer to a (co-)financing by pharmaceutical companies
as far as we know about it by the addition "sponsored by pharmaceutical companies."
Black
Women's Mental Health Project: is an organisation, which is managed by Black
Women Users and Survivors of the Mental Health system in the UK · Publications:
web site www.bwmhp.org.uk · Contact: Black Women's Mental Health Project,
Park Royal Business Centre, Unit 27, 9-17 Park Royal Road, LONDON NW10 7LQ. Contact
member: Angela Linton-Abulu, Tel. +44 20 89616324, e-mail bwmhp[at]yahoo.com
*
BUDDIES – Black Mental Health Support Network and Befriending Scheme, providing
a forum within a hospital setting that incorporates all cultures and their issues
(multi-cultural sessions and discussion groups); and campaigning for cultural
specific session to be held so people can understand their mental health through
others from their own cultural backgrounds and gain multiple perspectives whilst
attending these sessions · Target group: Black and ethnic minority groups,
sufferers and survivors, carers and community members, students etc. · Aims:
providing advice, information and a support network to Black people who have or
are experiencing mental health or have used a mental health service. The support
network also acts as an advice and information centre for all, who are seeking
information on issues surrounding mental health · Organisation form: non-registered
selfhelp-group · Status of workers: no workers · Funding: no funding
· Publications: articles in Community Care, UKAN's Advocate,
others · Contact: BUDDIES, c/o 45 Wood Lane, Swain House, BRADFORD BD2 1JU,
West Yorkshire, Tel. mobile +44 7774 659623, Contact member: Carol Jenkin, e-mail
Carol[at]buddies.go-legend.net,
carol.buddies[at]blueyonder.co.uk
* Hearing
Voices Network (HVN). Hearing Voices Network helps voice hearers to find their
own ways of coming to terms with their experience · Target group: The national
network is open to voice hearers, (ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry, their
friends, relatives, carers, other interested parties. The self-help groups are
only open to voice hearers · Aims: To create an acceptance that hearing voices
is a valid experience for which there are many explanations. To raise awareness
of voice hearing, seeing visions, tactile sensations and other sensory experiences.
To give men, women and children who have these experiences the opportunity to
talk freely about them. To support anyone who has these experiences that is seeking
to understand and learn and grow from them in their own way. Training and conferences.
Dissemination of information and holding self-help groups · Organisation
form: central organisation based in Manchester with local self-help groups based
across England and Wales. HVN networks with many other groups and organisations
across the country. Individual and organisational membership base. Quarterly magazine
"Voices", sent to over 1,000 members (May 2002) · Status of workers: In the
national office there is 1 paid worker and 6 voluntary staff · Funding: They
have just (February 2003) received charitable status and have been given a s64
grant from the Department of Health. NOT the Pharmaceutical industry – as
a principal · Publications: various information leaflets and other publications
about voice hearing. web site www.hearing-voices.org · Contact: Hearing Voices
Network, 91 Oldham Street, MANCHESTER M4 1LW, Tel. +44 161 8345768, e-mail hearingvoices[at]care4free.net
InterAction.
InterAction aims to assist in the growth of civil societies in developing countries
(and those in transition) by enabling adults with mental distress to become involved
in public action and policies to improve mental health systems and enable them
to participate more fully in the societies in which they live. InterAction is
an international organisation, based in the UK. It is a registered charity. Chair:
Robert Hayward (from April 1st, 2005). · Contact: InterAction, 1 Tankerton
Road, WHISTABLE, Kent, CT5 2AB, Tel. +44 1227 272789, e-mail info[at]interaction.uk.net
National
Phobics Society – an anxiety disorders charity · Target group: "anyone
affected by Anxiety, Panic Attacks/Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD),
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social
Phobia, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Trichotillomania, Tranquilliser Problems,
Agoraphobia, Other Phobias such as fear of: blushing, heights, vomiting, spiders,
HIV, cancer, heart disease, being alone, public speaking, thunderstorms, dentists,
death, school, confined spaces etc." · Aims: "Our primary aim is to promote
the relief and rehabilitation of persons suffering with anxiety disorders through
information and provision of self-help services. To advance awareness of the general
public in the causes and conditions of anxiety disorders and associated phobias"
· Organisation form: user-led and have a membership of over 6000 to date
(Febr. 2003) · Status of workers : 2 paid workers both are service users,
and over 500 volunteers. The services include 1:1 therapies such as CBT, counselling,
complementary therapies, helplines, self-help groups" · Funding: "The organisation
is 80% funded through service user subscriptions, and 20% via national gov funding.
We also receive in kind support from GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceuticals" · Publications:
web site www.phobics-society.org.uk, "Don't Panic" newsletter – distributed
quarterly; fact-sheets, tapes · Contact: National Phobics Society, Zion Community
Resource Centre, 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, MANCHESTER, M15 4ZY, Tel. +44 870
7700456, Fax +44 161 2279862, e-mail nationalphobic[at]btconnect.com
National
Self Harm Network (NSHN). Survivor-led organisation, founded in 1994 ·
Target group: people who self-harm and associates/allies · Organisation form:
centrally based in Nottingham · Aims: To support and empower people who self
harm and to challenge assumptions and demystify common misconceptions, representing
(ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry in politics, lobbying, advocacy, training
and education, raising awareness among general public, health services and health
staff, dissemination of information · Status of workers: unknown · Funding:
unknown · Publications: The NSHN produces and disseminates publications around
self-harm. web site www.nshn.co.uk/ · Contact: NSHN, PO Box 7264, Nottingham,
NG1 6WJ, e-mail info[at]nshn.co.uk
National
Voices Forum. UK user-led organisation run by mad people for
mad people · Target group: People with experience of severe mental illness.
Also enquiries taken from all other groups · Organisation form: central organisation
with about 12 local groups · Aims: Seeks to develop mutual support on the
one hand and express the user viewpoint on the other. To participate in raising
awareness of the user viewpoint and experience. Representing (ex-) users and survivors
in politics, lobbying, advocacy – to a limited extent – a referral point,
training and education, annual poetry competition, participate in research, raising
awareness of the user viewpoint and experience · Status of workers: 1 part-time
paid worker (25 hours per week), 4 volunteers who have specific roles (1 website
manager, 2 liaison officers and 1 project worker) · Funding: Funded by Department
of Health grant and a Trust. "Pharmaceutical industry – no and would
hope never to have to do." · Publications: Voices Forum magazine
is an outlet to disseminate information, production of leaflets e.g. one on new
medications, another on "an inside view of schizophrenia" and a general leaflet
about Voices Forum including an application form. web site www.voicesforum.org.uk/
· Contact: Voices Forum, 28 Castle Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey,
KT6 4NS, Tel. +44 208 5479226, e-mail graham[at]voicesforum.org.uk
No
Panic · Target group: anxiety disorder sufferers
and their carers; open to anyone with an interest in anxiety
disorders · Aims: to aid the relief and rehabilitation
of those people suffering from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorders, other related Anxiety Disorder, including
tranquilliser withdrawal · Organisation form: international
· Status of workers: one and half paid workers and
85 volunteers · Funding: membership fees and voluntary
donations · Publications: web site www.nopanic.org.uk
and a variety of booklets, audio cassettes, CD's & video
cassettes (see "No Panic" web site) · Contact: No Panic,
93, Brands Farm Way, TELFORD, Shropshire, TF3 2JQ, Tel.
+44 1952 590005, Fax +44 1952 270962, e-mail ceo[at]nopanic.org.uk
Survivors
Poetry · Target group: survivors of psychiatry and empathetic supporters
interested in poetry · Aims: to support survivors in the development of their
creativity through poetry. Training and education, recreation, some research,
raising awareness, dissemination of information, quarterly magazine, various publications
of poetry · Organisation form: Central organisation with local groups. Survivors
Poetry exists to give a voice to survivors of psychiatry through workshops and
performances of poetry. All activities are run by, and for, survivors · Status
of workers: paid and voluntary staff: 3 part-time paid workers and 4 regular volunteers.
Endless other volunteers on an irregular (as-needs) basis · Funding: subsidised
by the Arts Council of Great Britain, small amount of own funding, NOT the Pharmaceutical
industry – by choice, various grant giving foundations · Publications:
Various publications, between others: "We Have Come Through" and "Ten Russian
Poets" – both are anthologies of poetry. web site http://groups.msn.com/survivorspoetry
· Contact: Survivors Poetry, Diorama Arts Centre, 34 Osnaburgh Street, LONDON,
NW1 3ND, Tel. +44 20 79165317, e-mail survivor[at]survivorspoetry.org.uk
Benzodiazepine.org:
Prescription Drug Addiction – Information Site And Forum Color Benzodiazapine
Addiction, Withdrawal And Recovery Information
MadPride:
web site about Mental Health System Survivors overcoming discrimination in the
UK and all over the world, started up by Peter Shaunessy
Service
User Research Enterprise (SURE). SURE involves service users in mental health
research through training, capacity building, opportunities for participation
in collaborative research projects and by conducting user led research. The Commision
for Health Improvement (CHI) has stated the SURE project is "notable practice,"
i.e. no one does it better · Aims: to promote user involvement in research
both in the local area where we work (South London), nationally in the UK and
internationally · Organisation form: SURE is the service user research unit
at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. This is a research and teaching institution
and part of the statutory education system in the UK. It focuses on research and
post-graduate teaching · Status of workers: There are four paid employees
in SURE and others are involved who are paid a small fee under what is known in
the UK as "permitted work" for people who are on sickness welfare benefits ·
Funding: Our funding comes from the local Trust (hospital and community care)
research budget and from research grants for which we have successfully bid ·
Publications: web site (in preparation) · Contact: SURE, Diana Rose, Co-ordinator,
PO34, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF,
Tel. +44 207 8485066
Survivors'
United Network: "Developing, Sharing And Promoting Creative & Innovative Good
Practice In Mental Health Recovery, Locally, Nationally and Internationally."
This website contains over 70 pages of information on recovery, mental health
issues, health & well being, educational articles, self management techniques,
research, volunteering and networking opportunities, all of which can be used
to facilitate and support an individuals recovery from mental distress and our
site is a valuable information resource for mental health professionals, academics,
supporters and allies. All contributions are welcomed · Publications: web
site www.healthy-life-styles.com/index.htm · Contact: Ms Julia Bromley, "Survivors
Network Co-ordinator," Survivors Network, c/o Voluntary Action Manchester, North
Square, 11-13 Spear Street, MANCHESTER, M1 1JU, e-mail survivors.network[at]ukgateway.net
The
uksurvivors list was set up for all UK mental health survivors, disabled people
and allies who are interested in networking together and discussing proposed new
laws. It is a public list and anyone can join. To post a message, send it to uksurvivors[at]eGroups.com
England
National Groups
ACUSF – African Caribbean Users/Survivors Forum · Target group:
National network of African and Caribbean (ex-) users and survivors of the mental
health system · Aims: To provide advice and support for users, survivors
and families · Organisation form: unknown · Status of workers: unknown
· Funding: unknown · Publications: unknown · Contact: ACUSF, 332
Brixton Road, LONDON, SW9
*
MindLink
– a network of mental health service survivors · Target group: (ex-)
users and survivors of psychiatry only · Aims: The primary purpose of MindLink
is to ensure (ex-) users/survivors of mental health services have a direct say
in shaping Mind, its policies and its campaigns. Although MindLink operates within
Mind, it is also part of the broader survivor movement. Further aims: Representing
users, ex-users and survivors of psychiatry in politics, lobbying of parliament
and MPs (members of the parliament), training and education, research, raising
awareness, dissemination of information · Organisation form: MindLink is
part of Mind which is British largest Mental Health Charity covering both England
and Wales. MindLink has a structure of
operation within Mind and there are terms of reference to enable MindLink to deliver
its work. MindLink is centrally based in London but have an Advisory Panel with
26 elected members spread across England and Wales who meets quarterly and works
with the whole membership as well as directly with Mind, Mind Local Associations
and external mental health organisations including in Europe. Membership is for
users/survivors of psychiatry in England and Wales but we do not turn away any
(ex-) users/survivors of psychiatry – so in February 2003 we have 1,030 members
in England and Wales and 34 members who live outside England and Wales ·
Status of workers: 2 full-time workers, 2 regular volunteers providing 2 days
a week voluntary work, 26 elected members undertaking regular voluntary work and
1,300 members who make regular but informal input to Mind and its work ·
Funding: MindLink is wholly funded by Mind although we have had external funding
on occasion. We will not seek or accept any funding from the pharmaceutical industry
· Publications: web site www.mind.org.uk/About+Mind/Networks/mindLink , quarterly
information packs; users poetry and prose is published in the newsletter ·
Contact: MindLink, c/o Mind, 15-19 Broadway, LONDON, E15 4BQ, Tel. +44 20 82152210,
Fax +44 181 5221725. Mind Link Development Manager: Shannon O'Neill, e-mail s.oneill[at]mind.org.uk
Local Groups
*
Brent Black African and Caribbean Mental Health Consortium, Moran House,
449-451, High Rd, London, NW10 2JJ, Tel- +44 20 3273 0006
*
Loud
& Clear. Loud and Clear provides independent support and information to
people using, or seeking to use, mental health services in North West London.
Contact: Loud and Clear, Mental Health Advocacy, Wembley Point, 1 Harrow Road,
Wembley, Middlesex HA9 6DE, Phone +44 20 8900 2221, fax +44 20 8900 2221, E-mail
Advocacy[at]loudandclear.org
OBSESSIVE ACTION, Aberdeen Centre, 22-24 Highbury Grove, LONDON N5 2EA, Tel.
+44 171 2072264000 (Information and Membership), Fax +44 171 2072880828
DISTRESS
AWARENESS TRAINING AGENCY (DATA), U.K.'s longest established survivor training
group · Organisation form: regional organisation · Involvement of users/survivors:
all members are survivors · Target group: survivors of psychiatry ·
Aims: provide training, research and consultancy services · Status of workers:
paid · Funding: commissioned to carry out particular pieces of work ·
Decision to accept moey from the pharmaceutical industry: not considered ·
Publications: web site www.distress.org.uk · Contact: DATA, 60 Curlew Road,
OLDHAM, Lancashire, OL4 5NS, England, Tel. +44 161 408122, e-mail andrew[at]survivorservices.com
PAPYRUS
– Working together for the prevention of Young Suicide · Target group:
anyone concerned about suicide prevention especially in young people · Aims:
promote an understanding of the unique contribution that families/carers can make
to suicide prevention; promote public awareness of the importance of emotional
well-being and good mental health; promote awareness of the risk of mental or
emotional distress during adolescence and throughout life, and to help to remove
the stigma of such occurrences; provide assistance to parents and others, in a
caring or professional role, in supporting vulnerable young people; to be represented
in policy making decisions at all levels and to monitor their implementation;
encourage the promotion of emotional well-being and good mental health at all
levels of education; encourage, initiate and take part in the development of learning
opportunities for all those involved; encourage, take part and/or initiate research
into suicide prevention; co-operate with professional and voluntary bodies working
in the suicide prevention field; ensure that adequate mental health services are
available for young people, and that there should be an easily accessible route
to such help on an informal basis; encourage examples of good practice in suicide
prevention; where a suicide has already occurred, to encourage the provision of
appropriate support, either voluntary or professional, for those closely and traumatically
affected · Organisation form: national · Status of workers: 2 part-time
paid, several ad hoc volunteers (Febr. 2003) · Funding: No regular funding
other than membership fees, applications are made for funds for specific projects,
small income from the sale of publications etc. · Publications: web site
www.papyrus-uk.org, booklets: "Thinking Of Ending It All?," "Not Just A Cry For
Help," video resource: "Don't Die Of Embarrassment," research report: "With The
Benefit Of Hindsight," others planned or in process (Febr. 2003) · Contact:
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Suicides), Rossendale GH, Union Road, Rawtenstall BB4 6NE,
Tel. / Fax +44 1706 214449, Contact: Tony Cox (Administrator), e-mail admin[at]papyrus-uk.org
*
VOX –
Voices Of eXperience: Organisation of and for people who have, or have had,
mental health problems in Scotland · Aims: "VOX are a National Mental
Health Service User Led organisation, we work in partnership with mental health
and related services to ensure that service users get every opportunity to contribute
positively to changes in these services. The ownership of VOX belongs with its
members and by joining us their views will help to shape how our work focus develops,
now and in the future, in order to influence positive changes to Scottish services
and society. We also influence governement policy, legislators and research."
· Status of workers: Paid service users and ex-service users · Funding:
Government and charitable organisations · Decision to accept moey from the
pharmaceutical industry: never · Publications: web site www.voxscotland.org.uk
· Contact: VOX, Merchants House, 30 George Square, G2 1EG Glasgow, Phone
+44 141 5721663, E-mail voxscotland[at]yahoo.co.uk
MANIC
DEPRESSION FELLOWSHIP-Scotland · Contact: Mile End Mill, Studio 1019, Abbey
Mill Business Centre, Seed Hill Road, PAISLEY, PA1 1TJ
Others
* New Horizons Border:
New Horizons Borders operates a member-led self-help and support network for people
who have experienced mental health problems. It is regional organisation that
serves the population of the Scottish Borders. The organisation operates Drop-in
sessions throughout this rural region and runs a garden and a Gallery to exhibit
Artwork produced by members. The organisation is managed by a committee selected
from the membership at the annual AGM. They are responsible for the employment
of staff and overall running of the Charity" · Address: New Horizons
Borders, 3, Market Street, GALASHIELS, TD1 3AD, Tel. +44 1896 755510
