Thread by @Mental_Elf

Inequality is about wealth and power. Can we achieve equality in mental health?

The brilliant @MH_Equality team at @CentreforMH have created a ten point action plan for us all to get behind.

Follow the hashtag from 10am for the report launch

🌟 #EqualityInMentalHealth 🌟

We're LIVE for the next 90 mins for the Commission for Equality in Mental Health "Mental Health For All" virtual report launch

Follow @MH_Equality @lizsayce @JustNdennis @_Sarah_Hughes_ @beckycharlwood @DrRosena @stevegilbertobe

#EqualityInMentalHealth

Our first speaker at #EqualityInMentalHealth is Nathan Dennis @JustNdennis who is starting by explaining why he thinks equality in mental health is so important.

He is citing the Black report from "50 years ago" with a sigh and a wistful look. What's changed since then?

We're passionate as a Commission to not just publish another report, but make system change #EqualityInMentalHealth

@JustNdennis speaking at @MH_Equality launch LIVE NOW


"Who's in control of the mental health system?" he asks.

It's really important that we appreciate the impact that racism, discrimination, inequality AND this pandemic has on Black, Asian and ethnic minority people, says @JustNdennis #EqualityInMentalHealth

Now @_Sarah_Hughes_ CEO of @CentreforMH is going to present the findings of the new "Mental Health For All" report published today by @MH_Equality

centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/m…

"Inequality is the insidious underbelly of the mental health system"
#EqualityInMentalHealth

Watch @_Sarah_Hughes_ LIVE NOW as she talks about a society "where everyone’s mental health is valued throughout life" AND where it's possible to "create better mental health in society through actions informed by evidence".
#EqualityInMentalHealth

Racism and Poverty causes mental illness
#EqualityInMentalHealth

The ‘triple barrier’ of mental health inequality affects large numbers of people from different sections of the population:
1. Determinants
2. Access
3. Experience and outcomes
@_Sarah_Hughes_ speaking at #EqualityInMentalHealth

Mental health inequalities are social and economic inequalities:

WEALTH
- poverty
- economic inequality

POWER
- discrimination
- racism
- misogyny
- violence
- oppression
- injustice…

#EqualityInMentalHealth

The education system has systemically excluded young black men for decades, says @_Sarah_Hughes_ speaking at #EqualityInMentalHealth

These are the solutions proposed by @MH_Equality @CentreforMH to achieving #EqualityInMentalHealth for all!

It's not simple, but it is possible.

@lizsayce @JustNdennis @_Sarah_Hughes_ @beckycharlwood @DrRosena @stevegilbertobe

"Mental health is made in communities"

This is SOOO important and so often forgotten by mental health scientists.

Don't miss this great talk by @_Sarah_Hughes_ at #EqualityInMentalHealth

THIS is the 10-point plan proposed by @MH_Equality @CentreforMH to achieve #EqualityInMentalHealth for all

centreformentalhealth.org.uk/topics/equalit…

Next up is Cllr Rebecca Charlwood @beckycharlwood on "Local leadership for mental health equality". Becky is Exec member Leeds City Council (Adults & Health), Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board & Mental Health Champion for Leeds.

No slides! Fab! #EqualityInMentalHealth

Thank you @beckycharlwood by sharing your own lived experience of mental ill health. The way you introduced yourself personally and professionally really made me think: "Right! I need to listen to what she has to say" #EqualityInMentalHealth

At #EqualityInMentalHealth @beckycharlwood is talking about the Leeds city-wide suicide action plan, which focuses on men at risk of suicide #SuicidePrevention

. @LeedsGATE is a "member led community organisation working in partnership to improve quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers".

At #EqualityInMentalHealth @beckycharlwood talks about the discrimination faced by the Gypsy and Traveller communities leedsgate.co.uk

Our next speaker is Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP @DrRosena Labour MP for Tooting, A&E Doctor and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health #EqualityInMentalHealth

She starts by thanking the @MH_Equality Commission for the work they've done over the last 2 years.

"We have seen a perfect storm over the last decade of significant underfunding in all sectors" says @DrRosena at #EqualityInMentalHealth

We shouldn't have to wait until people are so desperate that they try to take their own life, before we can help them with their mental ill health.

@DrRosena speaking at #EqualityInMentalHealth about a young black man that she met when working as an A&E doctor in the NHS

Impressive talk from @DrRosena at #EqualityInMentalHealth

"We need a preventive community-led solution to end the postcode lottery in mental health"

.@DrRosena ends her talk by saying that we can all make a difference and bring about #EqualityInMentalHealth by contacting our MP
centreformentalhealth.org.uk/help-us-tackle…

Our final speaker at #EqualityInMentalHealth is Steve Gilbert OBE @stevegilbertobe who is sharing his own personal experience of living with severe mental illness, racism and discrimination

"I want doctors to trust me and listen to what I have to say"

@stevegilbertobe reads a quote from a young black man from Birmingham who took part in the 300 voices project.

#EqualityInMentalHealth is possible says Steve, but requires action and not simply well meant gestures.

The time for change is now.

We need white people to walk alongside black people and work to achieve #EqualityInMentalHealth #BlackLivesMatter

@stevegilbertobe asks us all to write down one action that we will all take TODAY to smash mental health inequality. Come on then!

I’m running an online event next week with @BlackThrive @UCLPsychiatry @TheLancetPsych on racism in mental health research #MHQT

#EqualityInMentalHealth

Mental health research is racist, so what are we all going to do about it?

Do please come along!
zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Big thanks to everyone who made this #EqualityInMentalHealth launch happen today! 👏🏾👏🏿👏🏽

@MH_Equality @CentreforMH @lizsayce @JustNdennis @_Sarah_Hughes_ @beckycharlwood @DrRosena @stevegilbertobe @Andy__Bell__

centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/m…

In case you missed it, this brilliant #EqualityInMentalHealth launch is here: so you can WATCH AGAIN at your leisure. It's well worth a look!