In this newsletter you'll find out about the latest news from Rethink. Including our media work,  how you can e-campaign to make the equality bill work and how to become a fan of our facebook page.

We also have some news from research about  a new joint publication on mental health and debt and a new meet the team section so you can see who our research team are and what they do.

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The big news story in April: The Bradley Review, an independent review of the Criminal Justice System, is published.

Rethink focused on the importance of having an efficient system that identifies people who are mentally ill and should be receiving care, not a prison sentence.  We also pushed for the resources to make this meaningful.

Rethink’s views were published in articles on BBC online, the Guardian website and the Community Care website.  We were also successful in placing an interview with a young man with schizophrenia who ended up in prison following a break down in his care led to a relapse.

The media team would like to say a very big "thank you" to all the people who spoke to us about their experiences with the criminal justice system and their willingness to speak to journalists.

Every year, the Pringle and Marsh Awards are presented at Rethink’s National Members 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. The Marsh Award honours an individual’s achievements in the field of mental health. Please get in touch and let us know your nomination by clicking on the title.

'Schizo caged for killing Ma' and '“Sorry” for stabbing by schizo'.  We urged Rethink members to complain to The Sun and to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). Click on the title to find out more.

The Government's Equality Bill was recently published. However it fails to protect people with mental illness from discrimination by employers. This must be amended.

Rethink wants the Equality Bill changed so that employers cannot ask about a candidate's disability until after a job offer is made, as is the case in America. The Department of Work and Pensions Committee also recommended this change.

You can help. Ask your MP for their support with this crucial amendment. Email your MP now by clicking on the title.

New Horizons Events

Rethink are looking for mental health service users and carers to take part in an important consultation on the Government’s new mental health strategy, New Horizons.

Working with Mind, Rethink are organising events in Exeter, Nottingham, Cambridge and Manchester which will be attended by national decision-makers and senior Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities officials.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved, please contact Claire West at claire.west@rethink.org or 020 7840 3153.

If you're already signed up to facebook why not show your support for Rethink and receive regular updates by becoming a fan of our page.

Rethink has worked in partnership with The Royal College of Psychiatrists and other organisations to develop and distribute the Final Demand booklet, a resource about debt and mental health aimed at health and social care professionals. The booklet provides practical guidance to care workers on how to talk about financial issues with service users and how to keep them engaged with the relevant debt counselling services. You can download the booklet and further resources by clicking on the title. If you would like to have some printed copies please contact Sam Sabel at samantha.sabel@rethink.org.

We have recently launched our staff profile web pages. If you would like more information on the current projects staff members are working on or would like to contact an individual member of staff,  they can be accessed by clicking on the title. 

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