I was appointed as Force Mental Health Liaison Officer in July of 2004. Up until that time I was carrying out duties as a community beat officer and my knowledge of mental health issues was much the same as many other beat officers – very basic! I certainly did not realise the prevalence of mental illness and how it can affect any one of us at any time…”

Maria Hayes devises and delivers art workshops which have a theraputic value, and she recently ran successful sessions at the Annual Conference of Hafal, Wales’ principal organization working for people with severe mental illness. We talk to her about the benefits of being creative…

The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed extreme concerns to the Scrutiny Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill. The Association claims that as the Bill stands it is unethical, unworkable and in conflict with the Human Rights Act…

Last week plans for big changes in incapacity benefits were unveiled by Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson.

The new plans would see incapacity benefit split into two new benefits: Rehabilitation Support Allowance and Disability and Sickness Allowance. This would differentiate between those on incapacity benefit who have a “severe condition” and those with “potentially more manageable conditions”…

‘Count Me In’, the first national mental health ethnicity census, is set to take place on March 31st 2005. The census is part of a national programme aiming to improve services for people with a mental illness and their carers from black and minority ethnic communities…

We look at the latest news stories in each of the eight areas of the Whole Person Approach to recovery from a mental illness:

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has announced figures showing that half of those who die in police custody have a mental illness…

Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt has been replaced as the Assembly’s Health and Social Services Minister. Dr Brian Gibbons, previously Jane Hutt’s Deputy, is set to take on the role.