This is a section devoted to taking positive action to improve the Mental Health Services.
You can display any relavent information here of interest to 'service users' and 'carers' - this might include details of local service user 'forums', protests, research, groups, campaigns ...

If you have anything to add then please e-mail me and i'll see what i can do
action@madnotbad.co.uk

Kiss It! - Protest Against The Inhumanity Of Psychiatric Assault

The Kissit campaign is an opportunity for survivors, users and refusers, friends and allies to make an "in-yer-face" statement by expressing our outrage directly, peacefully and humorously.

They aim to generate national and international media coverage and provide a platform for survivors to testify to the shameful methods and practices that are implemented by psychiatry encouraged and facilitated by the State. To highlight the issues, raise awareness, and provoke the debate.

Recent protests include a bed push through the Pennines, rallys and kiss-it valentines day cards for the government! See their website for more details (www.kissit.org) and/or sign their online petition at www.petitiononline.com/kissit/petition.html

South Cheshire Community Council (Service User Led Support)

SCCC is a service user led organisation based in Crewe. It provides mental health service users past/present/future with a place to have a cup of coffee/tea, a chat and get support. It also has it's own newsletter/magazine (called Interface). For more information click here or email Dave the co-ordinator at davesccc@yahoo.co.uk

Reachout - Creative Arts Self Help Group (Scotland)

Reachout is based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, and has been running since 1993. It is a self help group which aims to promote positive mental health and counter unhelpful stereotypes. Members are involved in the running of the group, and have the chance to participate in creative endevours such as drama, photography, stained glass, batik, video making and more (in the form of workshops led by professional artists). For more information click here or email reach_out@tiscali.co.uk

The 'Behind Closed Doors' Campaign & Protest

The launch of the 'Behind Closed Doors' campaign to stop the 'daft' Mental Health Bill from becoming law. The first protest is set for Thurday 27th November 2003, from 12 - 2pm outside the Department of Health offices (Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London) where there is a meeting to 'roadtest' it. For more information on Behind Closed Doors (including the ehos behind it, why it's so important and how to get involved with it) then click here. For more info on the Draft Mental Health Bill see below.

UPDATE: The Behind Closed Doors Campaign now has a website. Check it out for more info on what's happening at http://clix.to/behindcloseddoors

Tell It Like It Is - Speak Out To Help Other Young People

Would you like to use your experiences to help out other young people through Mental Health Media's new website 'The Loop'? The site is being developed by young people for young people and will feature real life stories, cartoon strips and mini video clips - it's intending to be there for people to find information and support and 'tell it like it is'. They're asking for contributions for the real life section - if you're interested then click here to find out more

Current Campaigns

'Behind Closed Doors' Protest: (click here)
The Bill is on the horizon - join us in protesting against it and preventing it becoming law

Message In A Bottle: (click here)
Sending your empty medication boxes/bottles to help get the message across

'Protest Against The Mental Health Bill' Letter: (click here)
Outlines some of the main areas of concern, and explains the nature of the protest group
NEW VERSION! - Updated 28/04/03

OUTCRY (20 September, London 2003): (click here)
A conference of direct user and survivor voices, speaking out against prejudice and government proposals to increase compulsion (for it's own website click here)