Mental health charity, Rethink Mental Illness, is looking for activists to take part in a national project aiming to improve the physical health of people affected by mental illness. We hope you can help.

As you will be aware, people with severe mental illnesses die, on average, 20 years younger than the general population. They experience higher than average rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease, often due to the side effects of medication. Due to this shocking health inequality, the Department of Health has asked Rethink to support service users and carers from across the country to get involved in this project with the aim of improving the physical health outcomes of people with severe mental illness.

Rethink will offer participants information, training and ongoing support, as well as developing opportunities for them to make use of representative channels with the aim of improving local mental health provision. Participants will develop new skills and confidence, as well as help inform the work of local NHS bodies on these issues. This project’s approach is based on evidence which links improved recovery for service-users with participation in civil society.

Rethink are holding a training event for participants, taking place on the 4 June, 11am-4pm at Oldham St, central Manchester.

For further information go to the Rethink website

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