Positive Health Network

 Drop Ins

The Positive Health Groups were formed from a series of Drop Ins held between December 2008 and April 2009. The Drop Ins were open to anyone interested in looking at their social experiences and the situations in their life when they either experienced some form of depression, anxiety, isolation or mental illness. The focus of each Drop In touched on ways to recognise the factors that may contribute to incidents of poor mental health. Through discussion the initial Drop Ins looked at social factors that may contribute to poor mental health, activities that may assist with keeping well and people’s physical health and the effects that it may have on their mental health. People taking part in the initial Drop Ins were given the option of being involved in Positive Health Groups which would meet once a month.

Two groups formed from the Drop Ins, namely Positive Health Young & Old and Tatty Teddies. They have developed their own organic identity choosing the path that they wish to travel. Lively discussion takes place in each group and recently they have discussed safety in the community, self esteem and discrimination towards specific groups of people. Further groups have naturally formed from the initial two and the existing network can now add; womens group, mens group, writers group and book group to the list.

We have links and carry out collaborative work with; Inverclyde Association for Mental Health (Caddlehill Allotment Project), Scottish Association for Mental Health Gateways To Project, Greenspace from Inverclyde Council, Stepwell Stress Management and Services, Phoenix Community Health Project, Volunteer Centre, Inverclyde Homeless Forum (volunteers), Inverclyde Mental Health Carers Group.

Towards a ‘Mentally Flourishing Inverclyde’

We have been working collaboratively on mental health improvement with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Inverclyde Council, Bipolar Scotland, National Schizophrenia Foundation, Depression Alliance Scotland and a number of voluntary organisations in Inverclyde. This collaborative work aims to promote prevention, recovery, inclusion, better treatment and care for people living with poor mental health/illness.

The overall aim is to improve the quality of life for people by ensuring that they receive the best possible service to suit their needs. The following initiatives that we are involved in contribute towards these aims.

Mental Health Development Group and Other Bodies

The work that we directly carry out involves communicating with people attending the Peer Support Groups in Inverclyde. We record information from people to highlight areas that have an impact on mental health and mental health service provision (both issues and good practice). We also source information and inform people about community events, consultations and policy changes that may be of interest to them. We have prepared reports with people’s views on gaps in services, issues and good practice. Such reports are presented to relevant bodies. We currently meet and work with the following groups;

  • Mental Health Development Group
  • Recovery Inclusion Group
  • Mental Health Awareness Group
  • ACUMEN

To date Mental Health Service users have informed the following service developments including;

  • Joint Community Care Plan 2009—2012
  • Inverclyde Alliance
  • Inverclyde Council’s Corporate Plan Concerning Equality
  • Ravenscraig Reprovision
  • Recovery Inclusion Group