In 2016 Rachel’s teenage daughter was sent over 300 miles away from home for treatment for a mental health condition. Sadly, it isn’t just Rachel’s family that have had to endure such a painful separation and the resulting trauma. Out of area placements continue to be common practice. They not only cause great upset and trauma for patients and their families they often have a detrimental effect on recovery, through denying patients the all-important continuity of care.

Mental health, CAMHS in particular, is poorly resourced and under-prioritised in the NHS. It is also a postcode lottery. We need to change that. 

‘Mental health — time for action’ aims be an informative event, which will also provide a space for those with lived experience to talk about their own personal mental health issues or those as a carer. It’s hoped that attendees will be inspired to join the campaign to fight for properly funded mental health services which provide continuity and consistency of treatment and wherever possible within the community.

Contributions from:

• Rachel Bannister – local mum and mental health campaigner
• Peter Stefanovic – lawyer and journalist
• Rachel Kelly – writer and mental health ambassador
• Mark “the Artist Taxi Driver” McGowan

The event will also feature a video contribution from TV presenter and journalist Mark Austin, as well as a talk and breakout group from eating disorder charity Beat.

There will be several national mental health charities present (Beat the UK eating disorder charity/ Young Minds/ and local charity IMARA) as well as representatives from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCpsych).

This event is organised by the Mental Health — Time for Action Group, Nottingham in association with the Centre for the Study of Social and Global Justice, University of Nottingham.

Sponsors include NEU National Education Union (Notts), Unite Community (South Notts) and Keep Our NHS Public.

This is a free event – find out more and register for tickets on Eventbrite.