Thursday 28 March 2013

We need a new Language for Mental Health


The wonderful Reader Organisation is calling for a new language to talk about mental health, with senior health professionals, readers and writers discussing the idea in the opening session of the charity’s annual conference, ‘Shared Reading for Healthy Communities’ at the British Library on 16th May 2013.

Unlike the growing number of ‘Books on Prescription’ and ‘Bibliotherapy’ schemes, The Reader Organisation, which is commissioned by health services across the UK, has chosen not to limit the description of its model as ‘therapy’. Literature exists to address the human condition.

Jane Davis, The Reader Organisation’s founder and director, says:

“Those medical words – prescription, therapy – which at first glance carry a medical imprimatur of seriousness, have largely come from the pharmaceutical and psychotherapeutic industries, and actually point to a re-positioning of the inner life as a problem to be solved by experts, by others.”
 Working with health, library, education, adult social care services and other bodies, The Reader Organisation provided 92,400 unique shared reading experiences in 2012. The personalised model, which enables even non-readers to join in as everything is read aloud in the group, is now backed up with strong qualitative and quantitative evidence from researchers.

At the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust in Liverpool, patients are currently taking part in a shared reading group as part of a chronic pain research project, the initial findings of which will be revealed at the conference.
Dr Andrew Jones, consultant in anaesthesia and pain medicine, at the hospital, says:

“Early indications are showing that the reading group is making a difference to people in our hospital but there is something intangible, a deeper impact beyond that, which we can’t measure using existing qualitative research methods.”

The conference will also explore how the benefits of the shared reading model extends beyond the traditional definition of ‘health’, addressing issues of reoffending, isolation, community cohesion, and reading for pleasure with young people.

A group member at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, said:

“The reading group has boosted my self-esteem and given me more self-confidence when I have discussions with staff and in general; it has encouraged me to read more in my spare-time, which has released a lot of stress off my shoulders as I have been suffering from depression.”

“Great literature connects people. There’s nothing more ancient, nor more deeply healing than that”, states Jane Davis.
“But we increasingly feel the pressure to talk about our work in medicalised terms - intervention, service, outcomes – terms which limit the power of what humanly it is that is making the difference. I want to find a new language, so that people don’t have to say, ‘I’m sick’, when they’re suffering the human condition.”

For more information on the ‘Shared Reading for Health Communities’ conference visit:  www.thereader.org.uk/conference

For more information, please contact Lizzie Cain, Communications Assistant: lizziecain@thereader.org.uk / 0151 207 7228

Members of the Give a Book team will be there. Why not join us? Now go back to Give a Book.


18 comments:

  1. It's extremely superb that they are adding the capacity of clients to decipher manually written archives inside the program and join http://www.voicemailgreeting.net/female-voicemail-greeting/ website to get best task. This element depends on the hand-composing recognition framework they declared some time prior.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't think that spoken english and writing english is same. But many or more of my friend are think it's same. Now I can prove them wrong. Bcoz I'm right.

    ReplyDelete
  3. When i don't think of which talked the english language in additionread more to publishing the english language is usually similar. Although quite a few and up connected with my good friend usually are imagine it truly is similar. At this point I am able to verify these individuals inappropriate.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is first time I am reading on this topic.It is so unconventional and I want to read more on this.Its looked me quite interesting.Keep sharing.Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your health ideas are really unique and amazing but my http://www.interactiveagencies.net/what-these-digital-advertising-agencies-have-done-will-blow-you-away/ managers were asking for some marketing related ideas.Is it possible to share some stuff on this topic?

    ReplyDelete
  6. You'll find it exceptionally wonderful oftentimes attaching the proportions in individuals to help you decipher by hand drafted racks while in the routine and even sign up to http://www.besttypingservices.net/m4a-to-text-typing/ websites so you can get most beneficial challenge. It issue ıs dependent upon that hand-composing attention assembly some people made your time previously.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We have to protect it, both regarding assets and dollars, for the individuals who are less lucky and need to get to the framework for genuine medical issues. How great would that vibe? https://rxasapdownload.com/es/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes, you are right that nowadays many people focus in maintaining their figure. Shens Clinic has come up with the idea of Korean breast implant for helping you to look attractive.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! This could be one of the most useful blogs we have ever come across on Actually excellent info! I’m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort. Trusted Health Supplement

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for giving such good knowledge. I got some helpful information from this post. Keep Posting such types of posts. Mental Health Bakersfield

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues all across the world and there has been a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from mental disease in recent years. In order to maintain mental health and pursue your academic and personal objectives, it is crucial for students today more than ever to take care of their mental health difficulties.

    bankstown speech therapy

    ReplyDelete
  14. I found decent information in your article. I am impressed with how nicely you described this subject, It is a gainful article for us. Thanks for share it.Behavioral health services in Simi Valley, CA

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think this is one of the great idea. This is one of the great step taken by Reader Organization's. Keep sharing more interesting topics like this. Now its time to avail Star Medical Lab for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Understanding mental health requires more than new language—it's about grasping its complexities. For tech enthusiasts, imagine learning a new coding language, like exploring Flutter for desktop app development. Each facet gives deeper insight, much like each conversation on mental health opens pathways to empathy and support.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looking to take your gaming experience to new heights? Look no further than RocketPlay AU! Our mobile app is your VIP ticket to a world of endless entertainment, right at your fingertips. Ready to level up your mobile gaming experience? Visit https://rocketplay-australia.com/ today and let the games begin! Don't miss out on the excitement – join RocketPlay AU now and start playing wherever you are!

    ReplyDelete