Testimonial 1 Replace this with your content Expand Mental Health Matters to add a new FAQ post for every testimonialetc.
Jane Hughes - CEO Expand I began my career in the commercial sector in product and business development roles. My passion for the voluntary sector was sparked through supporting local community groups, whilst a keen interest in health and social care led to my first role in the sector as a Service Manager for Brook. When the 17 independent Brook charities merged in 2011, I became a member of the Executive Team leading on the development of multi-site Operations and Business Development functions across the UK. Shortly after, I became Deputy Chief Executive with responsibility for Service Delivery. I am a Chartered Manager and have held organisational lead roles for safeguarding and as Caldicott Guardian. Most recently I was the Operations Director for Compass where I led a range of integrated health and wellbeing services for young people and adults, including substance misuse, sexual health and mental health. I found my niche in the voluntary sector working with like-minded people who are committed to the ethos and values of the organisation. My passion is understanding people's needs and challenges so that innovative integrated services can be developed with the flexibility to respond to those needs.
Sally Baines Expand Sally joined the Board of Trustees in 2018 and became Chair of the Board in 2021. Sally has spent more than 35 years in the NHS, initially as a qualified nurse and with 30+ years in Human Resource and Organisational Change roles. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Sally has over 10 years in Board level roles in the NHS in primary care, secondary care, regional and national NHS organisations. Sally left permanent roles in the NHS in 2017 to develop a portfolio career working on an independent basis providing executive coaching, personal development and senior level HR support to organisations. She has experience of organisational change, leadership development, systems leadership and is a qualified executive coach. "I am passionate about improving the quality of mental health provision and removing the stigma attached with mental health. I have a particular interest in teenage and young adult mental health issues and suicide prevention." Outside of work Sally spends a lot of time in the Lake District where she enjoys hill walking with her husband and her dog. She also enjoys spending time with her two adult sons, going to the theatre and reading.
Sarah Wileman - Director of Development Expand Sarah is the Director of Development. Sarah oversees the development and delivery of services, ensuring MHM continues to achieve outstanding results helping people to recover from mental health conditions. Prior to Sarah's role as Director of Development, she was our Head of Talking Therapies. Sarah has worked in Health and Social Care for over 20 years, across both the Statutory and Voluntary sector. Sarah was drawn to the field of mental health following a previous role which involved developing Primary Care Mental Health Services and talking to the people who had used these services. This exposed her to the impact that these services have for people with mild to moderate needs and how they can change people's lives. From 1996 to 2000 Sarah worked in a large supported Hostel in the centre of Glasgow, working with men with complex needs. Following this she moved to Teesside working for Teesside Probation Service with offenders on release from prison and those with Drug Treatment Orders. She then moved to Addaction where she was a Team Leader for a Drug Intervention Programme in Middlesbrough. In 2006 she worked as part of the Middlesbrough Drug Action Team, in the commissioning team. Following this Sarah moved to North Yorkshire County Council, Adult Social Care, as Carers Project Officer latterly also taking on responsibility for Continuing Health Care. Prior to moving to MHM Sarah worked for Turning Point as a Bid Manager specifically working in Mental Health services. Sarah moved to MHM in 2017 as Transformation and Partnerships Manager. "I believe that the services we provide can effect real change in people's lives whether it means someone can return to work or live in a safe supportive environment. People have an amazing capacity to reach their potential with the right support that is delivered by trained supported staff with a real belief in what they do." Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, running (purely for fun!!) and walking her dogs!
Sonia McGough - Director of Strategy and Performance Expand Sonia has worked for MHM since 1994 having qualified as a social worker specialising in mental health. Over the last 24 years, Sonia has worked in a number of roles with MHM; in both direct service delivery and organisational infrastructure and is currently MHM’s Director of Quality and Operations. Sonia is incredibly passionate about excellent mental health services. When not working, Sonia spends time with her family and their menagerie of animals….a dog, two cats, two rabbits, a bearded dragon, a tortoise and a horse!
Crisis management Expand A mental health crisis often means that you no longer feel able to cope or be in control of your situation. It often involves a sudden or continued worsening of your symptoms. You may feel great emotional distress or anxiety, feel you can't cope with day-to-day life, think about suicide or self-harm, or experience hallucinations including hearing voices. Below are some suggestions for what you can do if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. The option you choose will depend on how severe you feel your symptoms are and if you can wait a short amount of time to get help or if you need help immediately. Please have a read of the options below and decide which one is best for you. Support available: Emergency 999 - call an ambulance if you are at risk and need immediate help with your mental health crisis. NHS 111 Service - call if you need non-emergency help fast but it is not a life-threatening emergency. NHS Urgent Mental Health Helplines (England only) - Many local areas in England have Urgent Mental Health Helplines that you can contact 24/7 when in crisis. To find out if your area has an Urgent Mental Health Helpline and to get the contact details click here. If you are in crisis and feel you need urgent mental health support but also have serious physical injuries, then we would advise you to attend A&E to address your physical injuries. You will be offered assessment and referred for support for any mental health crisis once you are seen as medically fit to do so. If you need someone to talk to about difficult feelings, The Samaritans are available 24/7. Call 116 123 for free any time. If you struggle with thoughts about self-harm and suicide, the Staying Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. It contains a safety plan for you to complete to help you stay safe and share with others so that they know how best how to help you in times of crisis. The app links you directly to local and national crisis resources, so you won't need to carry around slips of paper with contact details on, it's all stored there within the app. If the resource isn't listed, simply add in your own. The App has been developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention which is a charity that supports communities to prevent suicide.
Depression and low mood Expand Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms can be emotional, psychological or physical and range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include: Persistent sad, feeling down or ‘empty’ mood Feeling hopeless Pessimistic outlook Feeling irritable or angry Feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless Feeling bad about yourself or that you are a failure or have let others down Loss of pleasure in things you used to enjoy Fatigue Difficulty concentrating Finding it hard to make decisions Feeling restless/fidgety or the opposite moving and speaking so slowly that other people have noticed Changes to sleep patterns including trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping Appetite and weight changes Physical symptoms including headaches or a stomach upset. Suicidal ideation Self-harm or suicide attempts Support available: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust have produced a range of self-help guides, available to download here. Living Life to the Full provides lots of different online self-help courses that are highly recommended by mental health professionals, covering lots of different specific topics and groups, including helping you to tackle depression. Moodgym is another online self-help program designed to help you prevent and manage symptoms of depression/anxiety. The site offers an interactive, online self-help book that teaches skills based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Depression and low mood can also be treated via psychological therapies. Visit our service lookup here to see if we deliver a talking therapy service in your local area. Alternatively, you can visit the NHS website here and enter your postcode to find your local psychological therapy service.
Wellbeing Expand The 'Five Ways to Wellbeing' are five simple habits you can build that have been shown to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Connect with others Try to connect with the people around you: your friends and family, your colleagues, and the people you see day-to-day. Spend time developing these relationships. Talk to a friend you've not seen in a while, in person or over the phone. You could even have a short conversation with the next person who serves you in a shop. You can also connect with your inner self through mindfulness and meditation. There are various apps available that aim to enhance wellbeing by helping you to meditate, such as Headspace, Live Happy, Mindshift and Thought Diary Pro. Physical activity If exercise is not currently part of your daily routine, try adding it. Exercising two to three times a week has been found to significantly decrease symptoms of depression. Don’t think that you have to go to the gym to be active - go for a walk, cycle or play a game of football, dance or even do a spot of gardening! Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Learn new skills Continued learning throughout our life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Evidence suggests that engaging in work or educational activities can help lift people’s mood. The practice of setting goals, which is related to adult learning in particular, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing. You could try researching something online that you're curious about; do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle; or read a new book. Give Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy! Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing. Even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Pay attention to the moment (mindfulness) Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Notice the little things; listen to the sounds around you. This PDF explains some basic mindfulness exercises you can try. This progressive muscle relaxation guide also explains one effective relaxation technique in more detail. Or why not try breathing for relaxation. Support available: Living Life to the Full provides lots of different online self-help courses that are highly recommended by mental health professionals, covering lots of different specific topics and groups. You can also visit the NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ site for wellbeing resources. If you are trying to learn how to manage stress better, try completing this stress management worksheet to help you find ways of coping.
Deborah Lillie Expand Deborah is MHM’s Management Accountant, responsible for collating financial information to provide monthly management accounts to managers, directors, the CEO and MHM's trustees. Her role also involves coordinating the Finance Department to facilitate supplier payments, raise invoices to service funders, resolve financial queries, provide support to services and monitor organisational cash flow. Deborah completed her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification in 2009 before progressing to become a CIMA qualified accountant in 2014. Prior to joining MHM as Assistant Accountant in November 2012, Deborah worked in the travel industry for 7 years at Hays Travel. Deborah’s interests outside of work include cooking, gardening and attending concerts and festivals around the UK.
Claire Hall Expand Claire is the HR Manager, responsible for managing the Human Resources (HR) and Learning and Development (L&D) team to ensure we support our people be the best they can be in line with MHM’s values. She also oversees MHM's Central Office maintenance and is part of the Central Office Management team. Claire has a degree in Business and Finance, a Masters in Human Resource Management from Northumbria University and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) MCIPD. She has significant HR experience particularly within the areas of change management and has a career spanning over 15 years across all sectors. Outside of work Claire enjoys socialising and reading.
Marie Patterson Expand Marie joined MHM as the CQC Registered Manager of Newcastle Registered Care Housing in 2015; this service is a residential home with a rehabilitative focus for up to 11 people with severe and enduring mental health needs. Marie has studied at masters’ level gaining degrees in both Psychology and Education (specialising in leadership and management). She has previously worked as a regional manager for supported living services supporting adults with learning disabilities and forensic challenges. She has also held a variety of posts up to managerial level in children’s services and the education system. In her spare time Marie likes to look after her own wellbeing by attending spa breaks for some pampering. She also has a passion for art and design and enjoys learning new things.
Jackie Holme - Head of Community and Support Matters Expand Jackie is the Head of Community and Support Matters, responsible for the delivery of a variety of services within Social Care including Supported Housing, Employment, Floating Support and Community services. Jackie has a degree in Psychology from Sunderland University and previously taught at Huddersfield College. Prior to joining MHM in 2006, Jackie worked for Jobcentre Plus for 4 years as a Lone Parent Advisor. Jackie has worked in various front-line positions during her time with MHM including roles as an Employment Coach, Employer Engagement Worker and as a Service Manager Outside of work Jackie enjoys spending time with her friends and family on holidays.
Comments, compliments and complaints Expand We hope that everyone who uses our services has a positive experience. However, we recognise that unfortunately sometimes things do go wrong. Also, there is always room for improvement! Our compliments, comments and complaints process enables those who use our services to tell us about things that we do well or things that have gone wrong. This feedback helps us to put things right, learn and improve. To request a full copy of the MHM Compliments, Comments and Complaints Policy please email [email protected] or contact us on 0191 516 3500. How can I give a compliment or a comment? If you think we've done something well or you have an idea about how we could improve, we'd love to hear about it. There are lots of different ways to give us a compliment or comment. You can: Tell a member of staff; Telephone us on 0191 516 3500; Contact us through our website using the online contact form; Email us at [email protected]; Talk to Jane, our CEO Write to us at Mental Health Matters, Waterside House, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ; or How can I make a complaint? If you want to tell us about something you think we have done wrong or something that you are dissatisfied with then please make a complaint. There are lots of different ways to make a complaint. You can: Tell a member of staff; Telephone us on 0191 516 3500; Contact us through our website using the online contact form Email us at [email protected]; Email Jane Hughes, our CEO Write to the Complaints Coordination Team, Mental Health Matters, Waterside House, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ. If you need some help to make a complaint, or you would like someone to make a complaint for you, like a family member, friend or advocate, just let us know and we will help you to get the support you need. To help you make a complaint we have developed a Complaint Form. To download the form please click here. How will my complaint be dealt with? All complaints we receive are listened to and taken seriously. Where possible your complaint will be resolved immediately by your local team. However, if you wish for your complaint to be managed formally or your complaint is of a serious nature, then it will be managed by the MHM Complaints Coordination Team. The Complaints Coordination Team will let you know that they have received your complaint within one working day and they will aim for it to be resolved within a maximum of 28 days. We guarantee that you will not be treated unfairly as a result of making a complaint.
Equality and diversity Expand MHM are fully committed to complying with the duties set out within the Equality Act 2010. However, we do not see equality as just a legal duty, but also a moral one. Ensuring everyone is treated equally and diversity is valued is central to our vision and embedded within our values. To ensure MHM is a fair and equal organisation, we work to: Eliminate discrimination; Promote equality of opportunity; Positively recognise and value individual difference; and Treat everyone with dignity and respect. To request a full copy of the MHM Equality and Diversity Policy please email [email protected] or contact us on 0191 516 3500.
Safeguarding Expand MHM believe that everyone has the right to: Live their lives free from fear, violence, harassment, humiliation, degradation, abuse and neglect, and Live an independent lifestyle and make their own choices, even if some of those choices involve a degree of risk. We are fully committed to ensuring that all those who access or come into contact with our services are supported to understand and exercise this right. Our approach to safeguarding has been developed directly in line with the Care Act 2014 and informed by the act’s six principles which under pin all adult safeguarding work: Empowerment: we will support and encourage people to be in control and make their own decisions throughout the safeguarding process. We will support and encourage individuals to choose how involved they want to be. Prevention: we will do what we can to keep people safe and take action before harm occurs. Proportionality: we will always work in the best interests of the client and take the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk. Protection: we will help and support people to report abuse. Partnership: we will work effectively with our Local Safeguarding Adults Boards and other organisations to protect the welfare of individuals. We will not allow organisational boundaries to get in the way of this. Accountability: we understand our role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and we will ensure our staff understand and deliver theirs. To request a full copy of the MHM Safeguarding Adults Policy please email [email protected] or contact us on 0191 516 3500.
ASIST Suicide Prevention Training (two-day course) Expand At a LivingWorks ASIST workshop, you will learn how to prevent suicide by recognising signs, providing skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don't need any formal training to attend the workshop & ASIST can be learned and used by anyone. Please note that due to the content, ASIST training cannot be delivered virtually. To learn more read our: ASIST Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Working with Personality Disorders Expand Many people struggle to work with a personality disorder. The session will explore and dispel the myths, as well as review valuable techniques to enable staff to feel confident when working with people with personality disorders. It will do this by participants gaining basic skills required to work and give much needed support to people with such complex conditions. To learn more read our Personality Disorders Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Emotional Resilience (half day) Expand This course is developed to support your organisation and individuals in understanding the concept of emotional resilience, why it is importand, how to build this up via self-care and how emotional intelligence can help with this. A range of strategies and techniques are explored and practiced so that participants are fully equipped to use these within their everyday life either at work or in their personal life. To learn more read our: Emotional Resilience Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Wellbeing and Mindfulness Expand More and more organisations are beginning to realise the benefits of investing in the wellbeing of their staff. This session provides an introduction to wellbeing and mindfulness that offers some useful tips and techniques that can be used in your everyday life which will allow participants to better cope with the demands of a fast-paced environment. To learn more read our: Wellbeing and Mindfulness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Mental Health Awareness Expand An Excellent introduction to mental health conditions, this session challenges misconceptions and bring clarity to an otherwise misunderstood subject. Through discussion and group work participants will gain an understanding of the most common mental health conditions. To learn more read our: Mental Health Awareness Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Managing Mental Health in the Workplace (one-day course) Expand The mental health of employees is now a key priority for many organisations. This introductory session dispels the myths and stigma surrounding mental health to equip managers with the confidence to approach the topic and support employees with their mental health and wellbeing. To learn more read our: Mental Health in the Workplace Course Overview or contact [email protected]
Step 2 - more information Expand Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) work at Step 2 within NHS Talking Therapies services. This is the first step within the model which is provided by NHS Talking Therapies services. It seeks to use the least intrusive method of care possible, which involves low-intensity group workshops that last around 3-4 weeks, covering topics such as depression, panic and anxiety, stress reduction, and worry reduction. The workshops are also a chance for you to make connections with others going through similar difficulties. You can expect workshops and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) at Step 2 to: Provide you with up-to-date and helpful information, including handouts, booklets or links to websites, to read and inform you on where to get further information which might help. Introduce you to self-help activities to help you overcome your difficulties. Signpost you to other organisations, services or groups that may be able to help you. Set homework tasks with you at the end of each session, based on your individual needs and goals. Help you to acquire tools and techniques to help yourself, improve your wellbeing, and that will help you minimise and prevent future problems. Work closely with your GP and anyone else involved in your care and treatment. Regularly review your progress through discussion and through the use of standard questionnaires. Help you make the best use of any medication that your GP has prescribed by giving you information e.g. about side-effects. This is a very active form of treatment which supports you in taking a proactive role in your recovery. Although the sessions are important, the work which you complete in-between sessions is essential for you to practise and apply new skills in your life. Being ready, willing and motivated to engage with these exercises together with out-of-session tasks is therefore essential to your recovery.
Step 3 - more information Expand This level is provided by Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and High Intensity Therapists (HITs). The therapists deliver Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for clients experiencing moderate to moderately severe depression and anxiety disorders. This step is appropriate for you if you haven't noticed an improvement in response after trying the treatments at Step 2 or another previous therapy. Treatment at this level involves attending some more in-depth workshops dealing with things like depression, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and panic. You can expect the workshops and a Step 3 therapist to; Identify and understand your problems Provide you with up-to-date and helpful information, including handouts, booklets or links to websites, to read and inform you on where to get further information which might help. Introduce you to self-help activities to help you overcome your difficulties. Develop skills to change unhelpful ways of thinking Recognise unhelpful coping strategies and develop skills to adapt your behaviour so you can do more of the things you want to do Set ‘homework’ tasks with you at the end of each session, based on your individual needs and goals. Help you to acquire tools and techniques to help yourself, improve your wellbeing, and that will help you minimise and prevent future problems. Identify ways to work towards your goals and aspirations Regularly review your progress through discussion and through the use of standard questionnaires.
What should I do in a crisis? Expand If you are thinking of hurting yourself, feel you're at immediate risk of harm from someone else, or are in extreme distress, please see our crisis resources page for further advice on what do do and how to contact.