Tsvetelina Gerganova’s Post

It will take me a while to read and digest the Bill in enough detail to be able to weigh the pros and cons throughly. However, I have a great relief in the new expectation to support people (in advance) to make decisions about their future. It has always been my view that supporting people to make THEIR OWN decisions about aspects of care likely to occur is THE ONLY WAY. Honestly my view of the MCA was that it should have mandated the opportunity for advanced choice by a healthcare professional! Too many times clinicians are having to GUESS/WORK OUT what a patient would want when it's too late. In reality for a lot of people, even outside of the MH field, we should be talking about the 'what ifs' and supporting them to make their own decisions. In my view if we know someone has a progressive disorder, we know some of the decisions that MAY need to be made down the line. These are rarely a surprise yet too often we have no idea what that person would choose. YES it's time consuming BUT does it take more time than all of the MDTs, family meetings, capacity assessments with second opinions, COP applications, disagreements between people involved, extra needs to pull in social work, safeguardings etc that occur without this planning? We can't live in a world where we scream about patients choice and voice but don't prepare them for what may lie ahead!!! Rant over but even if you work in physical healthcare and the MH Bill will not apply to you - PLEASE review practice to equip people to make tough decisions for themselves whilst they still can!!

For those working in mental health or social care, understanding policy reform is critical. The below article explores how the Mental Health Bill will revise provisions and safeguards around detention and treatment in England and Wales. https://lnkd.in/ekh_StZh

Really useful summary on the Mental Health Bill by the Centre for Mental Health. I think the Bill could do more on prevention often the people that end up detained under the act are known to professionals. In some cases investing in an integrated response can contain crisis and avoid hospitalisation and detention.

📢 Research Paper of the Week: “Racialised experience of detention under the Mental Health Act: a photovoice investigation of practice, policy and legislation” New research brings to the fore the voice of people who have experienced compulsory admission and treatment (CAT) on the grounds of the Mental Health Act. As #black people are most likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, the researchers purposively sampled to maximise diversity by #ethnicity. They used #photovoice in a discovery orientated approach that foregrounds lived experience, as proposed in critical studies of #black #feminism, #race theory, and #intersectionality theory. The findings show how epistemic injustice drives the discrediting of information on the basis of ethnicity and mental illness diagnosis and associates with: ·      insufficient co-ordination to prevent CAT despite early help-seeking ·      not being taken seriously when seeking help ·      hostility and dismissive responses from professionals ·      unnecessary police involvement which was distressing, stigmatising, and risked criminalisation. Participants shared their need for: ·      more advocacy given their reduced ability to process information in crisis ·      therapeutic & creative activities in inpatient environments ·      more family & carer involvement ·      more appropriate, frequent & personalised information about care options, appeals processes, levels of restriction, and seclusion ·      highly skilled staff, trauma-informed care, and therapies into the community. Article by Kamaldeep Bhui, Roisin Mooney and colleagues. Read the pre-print here: https://lnkd.in/dJdyEnK7 #mentalhealth #blackhistorymonth #healthinequalities #mentalhealthact #epistemicinjustice #healthequity

See link below to my analysis of the key provisions of the Mental Health Bill, and how it would reform the safeguards around detention and treatment in England and Wales.

Important new publication by the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists on ‘Protecting the mental health of people seeking sanctuary in the UK’s evolving legislative landscape’. It is encouraging that such an esteemed body as the RCPsych has produced such a thorough and critical report with concrete recommendations to all stakeholders, including the government, particularly regarding people with mental disorders. A quote: “The government’s actions and policies should not worsen someone’s mental health through detention. It should ensure that people with mental disorders, or who have experienced torture or other severe abuses of their human rights, are only subjected to immigration detention in very exceptional circumstances. Even in such circumstances, the length of detention should be short and the availability of alternative settings should be considered at every stage. Ensuring people receive the mental health care they need is a priority. If individuals with severe mental illness are detained on an exceptional basis, they should be placed in a mental health setting where they can receive appropriate care.” See the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ez3P2Cch Julian Eaton, Lynne Jones OBE, FRCPsych., Cornelius Katona

Bipolar UK are doing a survey to collate information from those living with bipolar to feedback to government regarding the proposed Mental Health Act reform. Please complete this short survey if you have bipolar and live in the UK. https://lnkd.in/eXXBHQzp I hadn't heard of some of the terminology and will definitely be looking into this further to see how any proposed changes may impact me. They seem broadly positive changes proposed, but with any legislation there can easily be minority perspectives missed if those minorities are not proactive or actively consulted as part of the legislative process. #Bipolar #MentalHealthActReform #MentalHealth #Detention #NominatedPerson #RacialInequalities

Supporting ex-offenders with mental health challenges is crucial for both their well-being and the safety of the community. Here's how our Tilt project is making a difference: 🏠 Modern Residences: Tilt provides a spacious, homelike environment where clients feel comfortable and supported. ⏰ 24/7 Support: Experienced staff offer round-the-clock assistance, with on-call service from senior managers. 📊 Measurable Outcomes: We track physical and mental health progress to ensure effective care. 🔍 Tailored Support Plans: Each client receives a personalized plan to address their unique needs and challenges. 🔄 Trial Leave Period: We assess suitability through a trial period, ensuring a safe and successful transition. 👩🏫 Real-Life Skills: Clients learn practical skills for independent living, increasing their chances of success. 💼 Staged Integration: Gradual integration safeguards both clients and the community. 🤝 Collaborative Approach: We work closely with clinical partners and commissioners to provide comprehensive care. 📉 Proven Results: Tilt boasts a low reoffending rate, reduced cost to taxpayers, and high rates of successful independent living. Let's continue supporting ex-offenders on their journey to independence and mental well-being. https://lnkd.in/eeqUfxGc #SupportForExOffenders #MentalHealthSupport #CommunityIntegration

Rita Tayeh, an MHPSS expert with a master’s in Neuropsychology, has dedicated her career to strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) coordination in conflict and emergency settings. Her work demonstrates that while advocacy can feel like an uphill battle, persistence and patience can lead to incredible results. 🌟 💬 “I attended meeting after meeting, repeated the same messages, and felt like nothing was changing. But here’s the thing—advocacy doesn’t work until it does.” By the final month of her deployment, the health sector funded a multisectoral MHPSS workshop, bringing together 60 participants to unify approaches and strengthen the response. 🤝 The MHPSS Surge Mechanism, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), plays a vital role in empowering local expertise and enhancing coordination. As Rita notes, "The MHPSS Surge Mechanism is a support system not only for the displaced but also for the experts in this field." 🌍 What drives her is the resilience of the communities she serves. “I’ve seen women leaders and community organisations achieve amazing things despite limited resources. Sometimes the work pushes you out of your comfort zone, but the difference it makes is worth it.” 💪 Sign up as an expert and help make a difference 👉 https://lnkd.in/emEzdEkz #MentalHealth #Humanitarian #EmergencyResponse #MHPSS #RVO

On 6th November the UK Government released a reformed Mental Health Bill. The new Bill gives patients sectioned under the Mental Health Act more dignity and say over their care. Currently, outdated laws do not meet modern standards and fail to give patients an adequate voice. Individuals experiencing severe mental illness could be placed in police cells, and the law automatically gave a patient’s nearest relative – rather than the person of their choosing such as a partner – a say in decisions about their care. In response to the announcement today, Mind CEO Dr Sarah Hughes said: “This marks a significant moment, but we know there is more to do and questions to ask about whether this will go far enough to fix the broken system as we know it. The mental health emergency we are facing will need much more than a reformed Act. It will demand radical and brave action from government alongside proper funding, and we at Mind are ready to help, but more importantly advocate for and amplify the voices of those most impacted.” https://lnkd.in/eqP9Swjj The bill will also give patients the right to elect a person to represent their interests and greater access to advocacy when they are detained. It is clear this is a step in the right direct with much more to be done. What are your thoughts on the new bill?