SELF-HELP, Social Issues,
Advocacy, Books

 

The following books and comments may be useful as a starting place. General Links are HERE, and Directories & helping organisations HERE.  On the previous PAGE are some useful Organisations.  Scroll down there for MIND, CAB etc.  For information on books and some social issues scroll below on this Page.

Most people have times when they worry what they have said or done, or about what happened or was done to them.  Perhaps we want to share those - and perhaps not.  We each have our own ways of handling things and everyone is different.  There is an internal narrative running where we describe things to ourselves, and this could change in the telling as we explain or re-classify things to suit how we feel.  Some people 'manage' their illness or pain, not pushing themselves too far all the while.  We can become aware of what is making things worse.  To some degree we can contain or accommodate periods of depression, loneliness, anxiety or confusion in ourselves or those we know.  People can and do help each other along the lines of 'a friend in court' - someone who is basically there and aware how things are.

It can be difficult to know where to begin with seeking help for oneself on private matters.  There is currently some media attention concerning the effectiveness of drugs for certain types of psychological problems.  There can be controversy too about what is called 'talking cures' and whether those are always helpful, or even unhelpful if they are not suitable or experienced as intrusive.  Some books and links appear below, and the general idea is to show that there is not necessarily something terribly wrong with us as individuals, but that we live in a wider society or environment - It helps to see some of that too. 

You may or may not like the approach of the books or links but might use them as a starting point while searching for yourself.  Some writers imply there is 'no such thing' as mental illness and we do not entirely agree.  But there can be other valid ways of looking at problems, how they may arise and what can be done.  Support from outside can be helpful, but people can be very effective themselves, and information-gathering worth the effort.  We may give ourselves labels in an attempt to understand better and find some 'solution', but labels in themselves can be hard to overcome, so we may saddle ourselves with them unnecessarily.

There is plenty of information available on the Internet.  Take your time and look at alternatives, and try not to feel under pressure to conform to what others may say.  There are a range of email support groups too, but it is as well to bear in mind that what you say there is pretty public.  As with any type of disclosure, something one says cannot get 'un-said' again!

You are free to take on board information that could be relevant or helpful and leave the rest, making your own way forward as best you can.  Your opinions on how to manage your life on your own or whether to seek help and which kind, are more valid than anyone's, however well-meaning, or whatever 'expertise' lies behind the advice.  As a general guideline, we suggest avoiding approaches which do not feel right at this time, even though you can't put your finger on a reason.

 

HELPING YOURSELF or OTHERS

Disability & Human Rights
For information for yourself or someone you know, or to keep informed on disability issues and what you can do to help, visit:
SCOPE at www.scope.org.uk for information on cerebral palsy and on disabled people achieving equality.  You can get involved in their campaign at www.timetogetequal.org.uk
Disability Now at www.disabilitynow.org.uk for information about living with disability.  They have compiled a list of crimes against disabled people at www.disabilitynow.org.uk/the-hate-crime-dossier

Homelessness or risk of homelessness
Visit Shelter at www.shelter.org.uk for information and advice.  Click on the site for relevant information for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  Or type Homelessness into a search engine like Google and click any of the links to get started.

Mental Health issues
Visit MIND at www.mind.org.uk for information and factsheets on a wide range of issues or to get involved with their campaigns.  Useful factsheet on counselling issues at http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Making+sense/Making+sense+of+counselling.htm

Young People & Students
PAPYRUS - for young people, or if you are concerned for someone - http://www.papyrus-uk.org
LINKS at http://www.papyrus-uk.org/useful-links.html

HOPELine UK Telephone 08000 68 41 41   Website http://www.papyrus-uk.org/hln.html

This is a small selection.  There may be other organisations or issues closer to your needs or of someone you know.  Many of us are vulnerable at some point in life, and something we do might swing the tide for more people to get a fairer deal.  We could be 'the hundredth monkey' adding our name to a list, or help a charity shop to raise funds - It all makes a difference!


   
Stop Child Abuse ribbon

Annual March & Rally 2009
against Child Sexual Abuse

Saturday 26th September, central London
from mid-day, talks in the afternoon

Details: Step-Up 020 8517 5888
and Stop Child Abuse website
http://stopchildabuse.org.uk/about.html

 
   
People with Home Problems
Missing from Home/ Runaways

Group, Family & Other Pressures

MISSING FROM HOME or Runaways


BBC Website at www.bbc.co.uk/headroom
How to ‘Unwind Your Mind’ (some needs Java & Flash)
or click at top left of their Website for Text Only
Contacts for Help - plenty of LINKS

Myth Buster section explains some common Mental Health ‘myths’ or misunderstandings

‘Missing Live’ TV - People say why they missing

See
Moodscape to create your own online Animation

~ ~ ~

MISSING PEOPLE - Free TEXT for young Runaways
Text to 80234 : Freefone 24-hour Helpline 0808 800 70 70
You can Email too – See www.missingpeople.org.uk

ACTION for CHILDREN help families through difficult periods - See Website for text and relevant information on their animated TV ads - www.actionforchildren.org.uk

 

BOOKS  Large bookshops have sections relating to Psychology, Self-Help, Child Abuse, Social Work. There are more books nowadays written in plain language, both by people who have experienced childhood abuse themselves, and by people who help Survivors of abuse, giving useful information in a non-threatening way. You can search on the Internet for books and information, and work towards something to suit you.  Many Websites which you can reach via the Links Pages on this Site, also list useful books.

MAIL ORDER
www.dabsbooks.co.uk (mail order books on a wide range of survivor issues plus Resource Directory)
www.amazon.co.uk (UK branch of Amazon Books)
www.amazon.com (USA Amazon Books - If you have a credit/debit card you will be charged in your own currency and their service to the UK is normally good.
To search for books of interest, enter the name of the author, or words from the book title.  Try to find information and help which suits you personally.  Everyone is different.

 

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