1. Its Our Mental Health Beat the Blues Tuesday Group

2. Based in Lewisham Started 2000 Promotes positive mental health Meets every 2 weeks What we do: –Rights, assertiveness, staying well, diet and exercise, speaking up, mental health services

3. Beat the Blues  A group of men & women with learning disabilities who live in Greenwich  Currently has 15 members  Support given around problems with mental health & coping  Physical heath promotion  Group is held weekly

4. Beat the Blues  Community nurses help to facilitate the group  Provides opportunity to talk about & share thoughts on issues such as medication, activities and managing stress  Different topics covered each week – chosen by group

5. Mental Health Problems People with learning disabilities can have mental health problems, like anyone else. We can become sad and depressed We might become worried, anxious or nervous We might hear things that aren't there We might have strange thoughts If we do, we need the right help just like other people

6. Mental Health Problems We want to use the same services as other people We don’t need to change Services need to change

7. Bill of Rights We have the right to be treated with respect We have the same rights as any other person We should have the same opportunities as any other person We have the right to make our own decisions We have the right to use the same mental health services as other people

8. Bill of Rights We have the right to an advocate if we want one We have the right to be included in all discussions about our mental health We have the right to a wide range of treatments, not just medication We have the right to see what is written about us

9. What staff should be good at How to help people be healthy Understand peoples needs Teach people ways to be calm What tablets people take and why To be aware of side effects of medication How to give support with problems like depression What other services can help people with their

10. What staff should know About Valuing People About peoples rights About giving people choices About being independent About being included What is good for mental health?

11. What staff should know How to tell if someone has a mental health problem That you ask questions to us and not the parent or staff. They should understand that we have our own thoughts and feelings. About medication and talking therapies That you have to ask us to give consent for treatment

12. What staff should know How to calm people down That you should only use restraint as a last resort People with learning disabilities grieve like other people People with learning disabilities can have relationships About physical health and health action plans