VA Psychiatrists: Providing Mental Health Care for Veterans

Barbers as mental health advocates? Absolutely. Alliance Health has teamed up with the Barbershop Therapy Foundation to launch “Barbershop Therapy” — Mental Health First Aid training designed specifically for barbers. Our inaugural class at Wake Tech trained 28 barbers to recognize signs of mental distress, connect clients with resources, and help destigmatize mental illness in their communities. Together, we’re empowering trusted voices in the chair to spark open, healing conversations.

“I don’t know how to put into words just how much having someone who’s open minded, and with open ears to sit down and listen to you, and hear you out.” - Person with lived experience Sometimes, support doesn’t start with a service or a form, it starts with listening. For people living with both mental health challenges and addiction, being heard without judgement can make the difference between asking for help and walking away. Yet too often, stigma or system barriers make those conversations harder than they need to be. Through training, shared learning and lived experience, we help NHS staff and partners feel more confident in offering open, compassionate conversations that recognise the whole person, not just one part of their story. Explore the training guide: https://zurl.co/Hj1Df

"For me, this is more than just the start of a project, it’s the start of a culture shift in how Scotland supports mental health. If The Nook proves anything, I hope it’s that we can build systems that put compassion and accessibility at the heart of everything." In our latest Member Spotlight blog, Ewan Hay, Service Manager at The Nook from SAMH in Glasgow, shares how the project aims to break down barriers to accessing mental health support. Read more here ➡️ http://bit.ly/49fBFQX

SSPP Impact: Transforming Mental Health Research Through Lived Experience. At the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, research is a collaboration shaped by diverse voices and real-world experiences. Central to this ethos is the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB), a pioneering group which has become a model for inclusive partnership working. The LEAB is made up of individuals with direct or indirect experiences of disabling barriers, neurodivergence, mental distress, trauma, mental illness, and caring for those navigating mental health challenges. Their collective expertise stretches beyond traditional academic knowledge, expanding what it means to ‘hold’ or ‘produce’ knowledge within and beyond academia. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXMVjSh6

This presentation aims to equip you with the tools to support maternal mental health. We will cover how to recognize the symptoms of clinical concern versus normal postpartum reactions. You will learn three ways maternal depression can negatively impact a child's development. Finally, we will identify two key ways mental health professionals can intervene through prevention and treatment to help families thrive. 💬 For a comprehensive overview, watch the full discussion. 🎞️ Subscribe to our channel for the latest information and visit arpapsych.org.

New paper published! 📰✨ We've been "Exploring service users, families, and professionals’ experiences with Open Dialogue in a Portuguese psychosocial rehabilitation unit." 🇵🇹 This qualitative study offers valuable insights into the real-world implementation of the Open Dialogue approach in mental health services, highlighting the perspectives of service users, their families, and the professionals involved. It’s a crucial step in understanding the challenges and successes of collaborative care. 🤝👨👩👧👦 Read the full article (published in EJQRP, 2025) and join the dialogue on how we can continue to rethink mental health care! Link: https://lnkd.in/d3Ni8FdS Authors: Ana Raquel Ferreira, Raquel Simões de Almeida, Cecilia Cruz Villares, and Joao G. Pereira.

SAMH has opened the first of a national network of walk-in mental health hubs in Glasgow. The Nook provides barrier-free access to mental health support. https://brnw.ch/21wXs0f

The Productivity Commission's work repeats their findings from 2020 - nothing has improved in those five years. In fact according to the National Mental Health Commission 2024 Report Card "many...core indicators are not showing improvement or have shown some deterioration in recent years." The 2008 National Mental Health Policy's aims were to: - promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian community and, where possible, prevent the development of mental health problems and mental illness - reduce the impact of mental health problems and mental illness, including the effects of stigma on individuals, families and the community - promote recovery from mental health problems and mental illness -assure the rights of people with mental health problems and mental illness, and enable them to participate meaningfully in society." The 2012 Mental Health Statement of Rights and Responsibilities outlined mental health rights and responsibilities of consumers, carers, support persons, service providers and the community. And "A national framework for recovery-oriented mental health services: guide for practitioners and providers" detailed guidance to mental health practitioners and services on recovery-oriented practice and service delivery" published in 2013 with its Foreword noting: "It began as people with lived experience, carers and advocates sought greater influence and control over their experiences in mental health services. Then individual practitioners and organisations began to incorporate the recovery approach into their practice and service provision. What started as a grassroots movement led to government policy as national, state and territory governments formally adopted a recovery approach. A national recovery framework agreed by all governments across Australia is the next important step along the path. Work on a national framework began in March 2011. Since the very beginning, people with a lived experience of mental health issues, their carers and families have participated enthusiastically in its development. Their passion and optimism have been inspirational. The process was a truly collaborative one with state and territory mental health service directorates and chief psychiatrists working in partnership to share research, gather evidence and create opportunities for participation by leaders, managers, practitioners, peer workers and volunteers in mental health services across Australia." And here we are just over a decade later - a system "inadequate, ill-informed and under-resourced". Why?

Illinois Office of Statewide Pretrial Services is seeking to partner with certified Community Mental Health Centers and Substance Use Prevention and Recovery providers. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gju5ZwDv

🤝 A new partnership between Emplify Health by Bellin and Marquette will significantly enhance mental health care in rural regions, creating a pipeline of counselors to bridge a significant gap in care. Read more: marquetteu.com/4hGQhLq