I CAN, the children’s communication charity, and The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have launched Bercow: Ten Years On. This report delves into the support, or lack of support, children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) receive in England. Over 2,500 people were consulted about speech and language therapy provision for children and […]
Kirsten Johnson
Does Vince look fat in this?
Not a question I’ve heard, but I got your attention! The way we view men and women is still fundamentally flawed. I imagine our Lib Dem male MPs have several suits they use in cycle, only having to choose a shirt and tie. But our women MPs? It’s a different matter, though it shouldn’t be. […]
#TreatMeWell campaign launched today
Mencap has launched its Treat Me Well Campaign today, calling for those with Learning Disabilities to be given reasonable adjustments in hospitals. The facts are shocking. Every year, 1200 people with a learning disability die avoidably in hospital care. I blogged this morning on the disgraceful state of PIP and ESA assessments, many suffered by […]
#timetotalk – Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Today is Time To Talk Day – a day to talk about mental health with friends, family and colleagues. Time to Change organises #timetotalk on the first Thursday in February each year. Lib Dem Voice would love to have your stories and thoughts on mental health – please send them in and we will post […]
The January Blues: Desolation
Warning: discussion of suicide Last week in my county division, someone stood at the edge of a motorway bridge with the intention of jumping off. Fortunately, the emergency services got there in time and their life was saved. I know personally the devastation that suicide can bring on family and friends. My close relative died […]
The January Blues: Desolation
Warning: discussion of suicide Last week in my county division, someone stood at the edge of a motorway bridge with the intention of jumping off. Fortunately, the emergency services got there in time and their life was saved. I know personally the devastation that suicide can bring on family and friends. My close relative died […]
The January Blues: Depression
The still, dark days of January are often associated with heightened levels of depression. Actually, depression is omnipresent. The charity Mind details depression as ranging from mild to moderate to severe. They list some types of depression: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)– depression that usually (but not always) occurs in the winter. Dysthymia– continuous mild depression […]
Notes from a new councillor: How to change things
I am frustrated about the bureaucracy I recently encountered as a County Councillor. Oxfordshire Mind, which provides many valuable mental health services throughout the county, has a new initiative to promote mental health awareness throughout Oxfordshire. The question I submitted to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health was: Oxfordshire Mind is seeking […]
Notes from a new councillor: How to change things
I am frustrated about the bureaucracy I recently encountered as a County Councillor. Oxfordshire Mind, which provides many valuable mental health services throughout the county, has a new initiative to promote mental health awareness throughout Oxfordshire. The question I submitted to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health was: Oxfordshire Mind is seeking […]
One mental health first aider per school is not enough
I welcomed Theresa May’s announcement on Monday in which she said “every secondary school in the country [is] to be offered mental health first aid training”. MHFA England has campaigned for many years to get school staff trained in Mental Health First Aid and are thrilled that there will be at least one Mental Health […]