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Welcome to the Service User North London Website |
Thanks for visiting SUNLOWS. This website offers information on what's happening in mental health research in North London, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and North Essex. SUNLOWS has been developed by service users for service users and we welcome contributions from North London service users and career on issues relating to mental health. SUNLOWS tries to make the whole subject of research user-friendly; we hope you find it a useful resource. SUNLOWS is supported by the North London Hub of the Mental Health Research Network, an organization funded by Department of Health. |
The draft NHS Constitution includes pledges about access to information and informed choice |
"Research is a core part of the NHS because it enables the NHS to improve the current and future health of the population. Therefore, the NHS will do all it can to give patients, from every part of the country, with any illness or disease, a right to know about research that is of particular relevance to them and, if they choose, to take part in approved medical research that is appropriate for them. Patients can therefore expect that a health professional or a research professional who owes the same duty of confidentiality as a health professional may use care records, in confidence, to identify whether they are suitable to participate in approved clinical trials. Appropriate patients will be notified of opportunities to join in, and will be free to choose whether they wish to do so, after a full explanation." (Handbook to the draft NHS Constitution, June 2008)
This is particularly relevant to research in the Mental Health. For more information please Click Here.
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"From Exclusion to Inclusion- The way forward to promoting social inclusion of people with mental health problems ."
This report isissued by mental health europe (April 2008) which explains in detail about mental health, mental illness and highlights what prevents people with mental health problems from being active in participating and contributing to their community. The full report can be found online at: www.mhe-sme.org
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Definitions of terms used in research |
To view the list of Jargon Busters contains the definitions of words used in research Click Here. |
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 Viewpoint:
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Alternatives:
This flyer is clearly written and describes an extremely interesting research project that is looking at alternatives to hospital. User groups all over thecountry have campaigned for more acceptable settings than the traditional hospital one, and sometimes those campaigns have been successful - e.g. in North Birmingham, Islington, Basingstoke, etc. Findings from this study might strengthen the argument for other groups in other localities. It would be nice to have more details. |
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 BALANCE:
This is a study on Manic Depression (or Bi-polar Disorder), which seeks to establish what is the best chemical treatment. It says: "Several medicines are available but it is unclear which is the most effective, or if they work best on their own or in combination. The best way to compare treatments for any illness is to conduct a clinical trial but, to date, very little research has been done comparing treatments for prevention of manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder." |
Some of our Service Users |
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About me
I am a service user researcher with a special interest in the relationship between parasitology and mental health. There are I feel many correlations such as the levels of chronicity. I study partime at the Institute of Psychiatry in South London. I enjoy working at SUNLOWS once a week as well as volunteering for a charity; Change Mental Health and MIND. |
Email:FLemonsky@aol.com |
About me
I work as an Expert by Experience with the North London Hub of the Mental Health Research Network at Imperial College, London.
Additionally I am involved with Barnet Voice for Mental Health a user led and run service user group which looks after the needs of mental health service users. My interests are in primary care, psychological therapies, clinical governance and personality disorders and eating disorders.
I am involved with the awareness and skills training of clinical staff in these areas. I also work with BEH MH NHS Trust in the Clinical Audit department.I am registered with Beat the eating disorders charity as a group worker. http://www.b-eat.co.uk
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Email:jennytrite@hotmail.co.uk
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About me
Hi my name is Jenny Trite and I have been a service user since the early 1980’s.I have been treated for Bipolar Disorder and various eating disorders during this time.Up until 2000 I was constantly in and out of hospital a couple of times a year at least. Luckily I have not had an admission since 2001.
I have been a service user representative at the North London Hub for about two years. My ‘role’ in the office is to assist with setting up and helping out on the day with conferences run by the hub e.g., The National Scientific Conference held earlier this year.
I was also involved, along with the other hub representatives, in organising and facilitating the Service Users Conference held at Friends House on 3rd November 2006. This conference was very well attended, not just by service users but by various MH professionals and voluntary organisations.
In July this year I organised (with help) a Service User and Carers Away Day to Dickens World in Chatham (in fact all the hub personnel were invited- so we had a great mix of people) –This trip was enjoyed by most, even those that had to be rescued from the boat!
One very important job I help with is helping to update the SUNLOWS website. This is involves quite a lot of work for quite a few members of staff as well as the user representatives, as it hasn’t been updated for quite a while – so please bear with us.One last but very important point-and I'm sure I speak for the others.Here I am accepted as one of the team, in my own right as a colleague with my own specific skills. |
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