At last after several months of planning the third in a yearly series of mental health debates at the University of Bedfordshire came to fruition on 12th October. There were around 60 participants, a mix of service users, carers, professionals, students and lecturers which encouraged some lively debate.
The three speakers gave very different perspectives on Mental Illness and the Family. Peter Beresford gave a national and somewhat political overview of the impact on service users and their carers. As a former service user himself he is well aware of the difficulties that families face. Martin Atchison from Meriden looked at how a specific therapeutic approach could enable service users and their family improve communication skills to reduce relapse and aid communication with services. Nicola told her story as a carer with a frank approach that was all the more moving for its honesty.
Planning these debates is like giving birth to a child. For those of you that are parents there is that moment of dread when you think ‘how is this going to be’ and ‘I shan’t be doing that again’. Well I have been through that stage and am now planning for the next event. Watch this space.
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