'No thanks, NOTW'

When the News of the World announced it was ending, and offered free advertising to charities, we considered the offer, but in the end decided not to do it (as did many other charities). We asked supporters on our Facebook, Twitter and RethinkTalk sites if you thought we were right.

We had over 100 reponses in a matter of minutes, and, although some disagreed, the overwhelming majority said we were correct to say 'No thanks' to the News of the World.

One supporter, Karen, said: "Personally I feel Rethink have made the right call, and think some supporters may have lost confidence if they had advertised."

A Twitter follower commented: "I don't think any charity should do it. They're using charity to claw back credibility and it's morally wrong."

Though others did say we were wrong, for example: "Publicity is publicity so don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

If you want to have your say, the discussion is still open at our forum, RethinkTalk (registration is free!) or join us on Facebook and Twitter

A helpline run by Rethink Mental Illness and Combat Stress for military veterans who are struggling to cope with their experiences of war has received over 1,000 calls in its first three months. Service manager Mark Smith said the service was “long overdue”:

“People who ring us include families and carers who are concerned for their loved one who have come back a different person. They say the service has been really helpful for them.”

Read more about the Combat Stress Helpline

A joint letter from Rethink Mental Illness chief executive Paul Jenkins and other health charity CEOs called on the government to heed the recommendations made by the Dilnot Commission on the Funding of Care and Support.

The letter said “Our political leaders must not let reform fall off the table for another generation. Otherwise the terrible stories of the last months, of neglect and abuse of the most vulnerable, will only grow worse.”

Read Rethink Mental Illness' response to the Dilnot Commission

Time to Change is seven shows in on its national sofa roadshow and we have already had over 8,000 conversations with the public about mental health! There are 12 still to go so why not come along to one near you or order some free materials and start your own conversations.

From Los Angeles Times - 7 July: Several types of personality disorders will be dropped from the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). According to the report, paranoid, histrionic, schizoid and dependent personality disorders could be removed. Dr. Andrew Skodol, chairman of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual work group, said: "In the past, we viewed personality disorders as binary. You either had one or you didn't. But now we understand that personality pathology is a matter of degree." 

From BBC News – 5th July 2011: The Health Service and Local Government ombudsmen has condemned 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust for failing to provide adequate care to a man with schizophrenia who died of bone cancer. The man had lived in his own home for more than 10 years with a support from his Community Mental Health Team, but a relative of his complained that his health had deteriorated due to the conditions in which he was living. She described the state of his flat as having cockroaches and flies, food that was over a year out of date, uneaten takeaway food, stains on every surface, and faeces and urine stains on the carpets and furniture.

Every year, the Pringle Awards are presented at Rethink’s National Member’s Day in November. The Pringle Awards recognise the innovation, dedication, and imagination of Rethink staff, service users, carers and members in supporting Rethink’s work in different areas of the field. To find out more about categories and how to enter nominations please visit www.rethink.org/pringles