New recovery publication launched on World Mental Health Day
A new book providing valuable information and encouragement for people with mental health and alcohol and drug problems has been published on World Mental Health Day (10 October).
‘My Story’ features the journeys of hope and recovery of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMW) patients and services users, their friends and family.
Launched on World Mental Health Day (WMHD) it ties in with the theme for the event, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, which focuses on the support people can provide to those in distress.
A big part of the book concentrates on the creative work of existing GMW service users and their relatives, friends or carers from Greater Manchester, Central Lancashire and Cumbria. Here they share their positive and negative experiences, how they turned their life around and what influenced them.
The publication also has a section focusing on the New Economics Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing and a section featuring a recovery diary for service users or carers to record how they feel, which they can refer back to and see the changes they’ve made.
The new book will be launched at GMW’s Annual Members Meeting at The Curve in Prestwich on the 10 October 2016 as part of WHMD.
Gill Green, Director of Nursing and Operations for Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The vision was to produce a book that inspires people with mental health difficulties to get the best out of life while sharing experiences, challenging stigma and providing information that will help everyone understand mental health and alcohol and drug problems better.
“We wanted this book to look really different to anything else we’ve produced before and feature calming imagery to showcase our service users and carers’ poems, stories and artwork.
“What this book demonstrates is not only the creativity of those involved, but their inner strength and resilience to overcome their difficulties and share their experiences to help others. We’ve been truly moved and inspired by the creative work of our service users and patients their families and carers.”
My Story is available to download from GMW’s website: www.gmmh.nhs.uk/mystory.
This publication is produced by Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Recovery Academy, for more information visit www.gmmh.nhs.uk/recovery.
