Stronger Together’s ‘Hearing Stories’ Conference helps to destigmatise issues around mental health.
Local people’s experiences were used as the basis for a wide-ranging discussion of mental health issues from a faith perspective at Stronger Together’s Hearing Stories Conference. Delegates came from voluntary, faith and statutory sectors and community mental health teams.
Delegates discussed issues such as: stigma about mental illness and the fact that men are frequently less forthcoming about their problems; CIRDIC would benefit from a greater input and advice from community mental health services; opportunities for training, free counseling and partnership work for carers; workplace bullying, making mistakes at work and over-work leading to mental illness, talking to someone as being the first step and support groups that are a good sounding board for people with mental health issues; work places and schools identifying mental health issues and encouraging students and workers to seek help early; faith groups joining together to encourage mental health organisations to allow both patients and staff to share the part of them that is spiritual.
The ‘Hearing Stories’ event followed on from the ‘Hearing Voices’ Conference in July 2009 which was a landmark for NHS professionals working with faith communities. Organisations taking part in ‘Hearing Stories’ July 2010 included Churches in Reading Drop in Centre (CIRDIC), The Princes Royal Trust Carers Service, The WELL Centre, CommuniCare and Envision Counselling.
Derek Mitchell, manager of the Community Mental Health Team launched the 'Information & Advice Resource' booklet A resource for faith leaders and carers on mental health matters. Email Jan Hearn for a copy. All faith communities & organisations have been sent copies.
Download a copy of the Hearing Stories report from the Events & Meetings page and see the photos:
www.readingfaithforum.com/eventsandmeetings.aspx
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The Reading Faith Forum is the representative body that gives the Faith Communities in Reading a voice.
The Faith Forum supports all faith groups within Reading by providing networking, training, events, advice and information. Quarterly meetings are open forums for all faith communities.
The Faith Forum has existed from 2006 to enable Faith Communities in Reading to:
Act together
Speak out together
Talk and listen together
The Faith Communities are made up of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and other smaller groups.
Click on 'Contact Us' for the Faith Forum Committee.
Room Hire
A major resource for faith communities is hiring out of rooms/halls. If you are looking for a venue for your meeting take a look at the list in the RVA Directory:
Room Hire
If you need help or more information contact Jan Hearn (FF Coordinator)
Phone: 0118 958 4849
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Festivals
Festivals of different faiths by month, 2010 (using the BBC website) - click here