University Department of Mental Health

Bournemouth University and Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust are issuing a call for abstract submissions for the biennial recovery-focused mental health Conference on September 6^th 2013. The conference will take place at Bournemouth University and will be attended by mental health professionals, health commissioners, researchers and service users. The purpose of the conference is to disseminate information about new research, innovation, best practice, and inspirational developments in mental health. There will be four presentation categories – Adult Mental Health, CAMHS, Forensic Settings and Specialist Treatment Services. The abstracts and contact details of presenters will be published in the conference pack. Presentations are 20 minutes duration, which includes 5 minutes for questions. Poster presentations can also be submitted.

More details are available on the ‘Conference 2013′ page

The programme of events is below – sessions are open to students, staff and public. Light refreshments will be provided. To register your attendance, please email: diversity@bournemouth.ac.uk

Recognition of Eating Disorders
Monday 25 February 2013 12:00-13:30, Student Hall, Talbot House, Talbot Campus
Early recognition of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and atypical versions of these is essential to ensure the best possible outcome. However, there are current problems with eating disorder recognition that makes providing effective early care difficult. This session will explore the common warning signs and symptoms of eating disorders and will detail the most up-to-date statistics and research on the issues as well as ideas for possible solutions. Attendees will also get advice on what to do if they believe someone they know (whether it’s themselves, a family member, a student or a patient) has an eating disorder.
Speakers: Dr Sarah Williams, Lecturer in Psychology, Bournemouth University and Dr Ciaran Newell, Consultant Nurse (Eating Disorders) and Associate Nurse Director, Kimmeridge Court Eating Disorder Service

Anorexia Nervosa and recovering; A Perilous journey?
Wednesday 27 February 2013 10:30-12:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne campus
‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes’ (Marcel Proust)
This talk will approach the topic of recovering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) from the perspective of the individual with experience of the illness. Attendees will hear about how recovery can be perceived by those with AN and how these perspectives might impact on:
1. The recovery journey,
2. The relationships of individuals with the illness
3. The role of individuals with AN in recovery
4. How services facilitate the contribution of those with experience of AN in care delivery
Speaker: Dr Ciaran Newell, Consultant Nurse (Eating Disorders) and Associate Nurse Director, Kimmeridge Court Eating Disorder Service

The hunger games. Can you recover from Eating Disorders? Come and listen to two stories of complete recovery and hope.
Wednesday 27 February 2013 13:30-15:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne campus
Often people believe that full recovery from eating disorders is not possible. Come and listen to Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT who will dispel the myth and talk about her experience of full recovery. She will also be interviewing Alice Jackson, who, recovered from her exercise addiction and received treatment and support for her eating disorder whilst studying at Bournemouth University.
Speakers: Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT and Alice Jackson.

Eating Disorders and the Internet
Thursday 28 February 2013 12:00-13:00, Student Hall, Talbot House, Talbot Campus
The internet is fast becoming the most popular place for people to find information and advice about health conditions, and eating disorders are no exception. This talk will explore the different types of online resources for eating disorders including a critical evaluation of controversial pro-anorexia websites, exploration of the types of support offered online, the use of social media and the ways in which the internet can be utilised for offering treatment for eating disorders.
Speaker: Dr Sarah Williams, Lecturer in Psychology, Bournemouth University

A Carer’s perspective on Eating Disorders – an interview with a parent/carer
Friday 1 March 10:00-10:45, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus
It can be very difficult for those who are caring for people suffering with eating disorders. Parents and carers can feel very misunderstood, guilty and powerless to change the situation. Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT, will interview Debbie Field in this honest discussion about how it feels to be a mother caring for a daughter suffering with anorexia.
Speakers: Debbie Field and Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT

Early Intervention for Eating Disorders at Bournemouth University – a good example of the statutory and voluntary services working together
Friday 1 March 12:00-13:00, BG11, Bournemouth House, Lansdowne Campus
Since 2006 there has been a project supporting students suffering with eating disorders within Bournemouth University. Micki Bennett RMN (a Clinical specialist nurse in Eating Disorders) runs a weekly clinic at Talbot Medical Centre for students displaying symptoms of Eating Disorders who present to the GPs at the student surgery. Micki Bennett and Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT, explain how this project was set up and how social media and advertising helped in directing more students to gain support for their eating disorders.
Speakers: Micki Bennett, Specialist nurse, DorsetHealthcare and Jess Griffiths, Director of Charity I*EAT

The final events of Mental Health Awareness Week 2012 were two very well attended talks at the Lansdowne Campus. Angela Warren, Service User and Carer Co-ordinator in the School of Health and Social Care presented her experience of self harm, and helped to dispel a few myths about the links between self harm and mental illness.

The final talk in the series was given by Dr Ciarán Newell, Consultant Nurse at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. Titled ‘What’s in a name; labellingand stigma in mental health’ Ciaran used his presentation to explore discrimination, focusing on the need to challenge  discrimination against those with mental health issues, and use education to help society reach a better understanding of mental health and mental illness, thus reducing stigma and prejudice.

On World Mental Health Day, 10th October, BU hosted the launch of a new local initiative designed to help reduce the stigma of mental health in the workplace. Dorset Mental Health Forum, in partnership with Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust and Helen Hutchings, presented TEA & TALK, the innovative, nationally-funded Time for Change project for which tackling mental health stigma and discrimination is a piece of cake! People with personal experience of mental health problems will go into workplaces and schools across Dorset to facilitate the fun and friendly workshop, Tea & Talk. People will be encouraged to talk openly about mental health over tea and cake. They will be asked to make individual and organisational pledges, and be provided with support and resources to turn their new knowledge into stigma-busting action!
The launch event provided an opportunity for local businesses to meet key people from BU, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset Mental Health Forum and most importantly Helen Hutchings, who will be delivering this project across Dorset over the coming year.
For me details see http://www.timetochangedorset.co.uk/
Follow Helen on Twitter http://twitter.com/teaandtalking

We have re-established the University Department of Mental Health webpage to allow us to post updates that we hope will be of interest to the mental health community in the University, the Trust and the wider community. More to follow….