Shift - June 2008 update

[sh...@csip.org.uk]

Shift is an initiative to tackle stigma and discrimination surrounding
mental health issues in England. Our aim is to create a society where
people who experience mental health problems enjoy the same rights and
opportunities as other people.

Shift will now run until March 2011.


++ Media ++

Shift published in February 'What's the story?', a guide for
journalists on reporting mental illness and suicide. It was endorsed
by key media figures including Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, chat
show host Trisha and the BBC's home editor Mark Easton. It tackles the
difficult issue of violence, by encouraging journalists to set violent
crime linked to mental illness into the wider context that most people
with mental health problems are not violent. More than 10,000 copies
of handbook were distributed to journalists across England. Credit-
card sized reminders with key tips and a website version were also
produced.

To find out more about What's the Story, visit: http://shift.org.uk/mediahandbook

Shift is continuing to operate its Speakers Bureau, a bank of 40
people with mental health problems or informal carers who talk to the
media and at public events about their experiences to breakdown
stereotypes and pre-conceptions. This year we are recruiting more
speakers from a black and minority ethnic background in recognition of
the fact that the stigma of mental illness is worse amongst these
groups.

To find out more about the Shift Speakers' Bureau, visit:
http://shift.org.uk/speakersbureau

We have also published electronically Mind Over Matter 2, our annual
analysis of media coverage. This year's report looked at coverage in
March and October 2006 and found little improvement in reporting from
the previous year. Mind over Matter 3 is due towards the end of this
year.

To download a copy of Mind Over Matter 2, visit: http://snipurl.com/mindovermatter2

On-going work includes:

* We have commissioned a consultancy to undertake 12 focus group
to examine the role of the media in the shaping public fears of people
with mental health problems.
* We plan to deliver training to trainee journalists at post-
graduate and vocational journalism courses, as well as potentially
delivering it to newspaper groups

Potential future work with the media audience includes:

* Working with the RCPsych and leading mental health charities to
change the news agenda around mental illness and violence. We intend
to get across the 'other side of the story', stressing that most
people with mental health problems are not violent, when the media
reports on homicides perpetrated by mental health patients
* We are exploring setting up a 'Stigma Stop Watch' system - a web-
based service, encouraging people to praise good reporting and condemn
bad.
* Shift will be providing training on reporting mental illness and
suicide to trainee journalists at postgraduate training colleges
across England from September this year.
* We are considering commissioning a poll of readers of different
national newspapers to see how they feel about coverage and how many
are affected by mental illness as a way into a discussion with
newspapers about coverage of mental health issues
* Shift has commissioned organisations to undertake work on Black
and Ethnic Minority Communities that experience a double stigma of
mental illness, in the first half of 2008.

Current work includes:

1. Newcastle and Gateshead Art Studio (North East) 'Black and
White' a photographic exhibition produced by members of a diverse
community in Newcastle.
This work is due to be completed by the end of May 2008.
Photographs will be available for physical exhibitions from the summer
and electronically via the Shift website from June.
2. Azko Films (Eastern) 'Open Secrets' a short film about mental
illness, shame and a middle class Asian family.
The film stars Saeed Jaffrey and Valmike Rampersad and is
currently being edited and is due to be launched in June.
3. Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust (West Midlands)
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Project looking at the coverage
of mental health stories in African Caribbean media.
This work is due to be completed in the summer. The findings are
due to be made available on the Shift website from that time.
4. Ethnic Communications (London based firm) Qualitative Research
Project looking at the handling of mental health content in the South
Asian media.
This work is due to be completed by the end of May. The findings
are due to be made available on the Shift website from the summer.


++ Employment ++

The Shift Line Manager's Resource is being distributed across England
with a focus on Government Departments and public services. Shift are
speaking at a number of events around the country to promote the
resource.

To find out more about the Line Managers' Resource, visit:
http://shift.org.uk/employers

The Shift Review Panel has started work and the first reviews of
materials produced for employers will be available via the Shift
website in the summer. Over 20 sets of materials are currently on the
review list. The reviews will enable employers to target the most
appropriate resources for their needs.

To find out more about the review panel, visit: http://shift.org.uk/reviewpanel

Shift has commissioned three short films to be made about mental
health, employment and stigma/discrimination. The films are due to be
completed at the end of the summer.


++ Football ++

Shift is part of the Mental Health Advisory Group set-up in
partnership with the FA, PFA, Premier League, Football Foundation and
Sporting Chance.

This group is planning to hold a national 2-day event in the autumn
around the subject of football and mental health - including a 5-a-
side competition.

We are also exploring the possibility of a pilot 2-day training/
coaching programme for people with mental health problems.

There is also a facility on the FA and Shift websites that enables
teams to contact each other to set-up fixtures.


++ Get Involved ++

The Shift website lists a number of ways in which you can help us with
the work that we do.

To find out more, please visit: http://www.shift.org.uk/getinvolved